If you've just experienced a traumatic event--the death of a loved one, loss of a job--or are at a transition point, you want a trusted professional with whom to talk through your feelings. Here are some ways to help you find the right therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Instructions
1. Find out if your insurance policy covers mental-health providers. If so, find out what kind of provider and how many sessions are covered. Ask if you must see a doctor to be reimbursed.
2. Verify that the provider is licensed, which indicates they've undergone rigorous, standardized training. For more information, contact the National Coalition of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers (see Resources).
3. Book a consultation. Ask the provider to explain his or her predominant theoretical orientation and discuss favored methods. Expect to talk frankly about any issues and how they affect your ability to work, sleep, eat, concentrate, relate to family and so on. Establishing a good rapport is essential to effective therapy.
4. Ask the provider to explain any proposed treatment.
Demystifying the Credentials
5. For psychotherapist you should make sure that they are licensed before you pay for a session because anyone can claim to be one. Many are well trained and highly skilled, but there's no way to identify them by the title alone.
6. Make sure the professional you hire has the proper credentials under his or her belt. Licensed clinical (LCSWs) and certified social workers(ACSWs) generally have a master's degree plus 2 years of supervised experience, and has passed a state exam.
7. Ask if your Marriage, Family and Child Therapists(MFTC) is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. These are people who specialize in helping clients deal with major life changes or transitions, such as marriage, divorce, job change and death in the family. Can also help when communication is an issue for families, couples or individuals. In most states, a license signals a professional with similar training to that of a CSW.
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