Find The Right Therapist

How can you find the right therapist for you? The task at hand may feel daunting and overwhelming. It can also feel exciting to embark on a new journey toward healing and hope. Mental and emotional wellbeing can help you thrive, if you can prioritize it similarly to physical wellbeing. They work together to bring about wholeness and harmony. The goal of this blog is to serve as a guide to help you be empowered in the process of connecting with a mental health provider while alleviating pressure from scouring the web for resources. For our brief time together, you can think of therapist/therapy and counselor/counseling as synonymous.

Top Reasons You May Be Contemplating Therapy

We all have different reasons for starting therapy or reengaging in therapy. As humans we love predictability and consistency! When our rhythm in life starts to feel off balance or when some seasons feel heavier or harder than others – we may need some support. Do any of these statements sound familiar?

Tried everything.
Talking to friends is not yielding results.
Feeling at the end of the road.
Feeling like you may lose relationships, job, health.
Loved ones have mentioned needing support.
Tired of not experiencing change.
Feeling like life has more to offer.

Changing The Narrative

Historically mental illness has not always been seen as something you can overcome nor something to share with others, which created various stigmas. Mental illness has been met with skepticism, discomfort, confusion and avoidance for various reasons. Stigma surrounded not only mental illness but also was attached to those seeking help. It is evident that our culture is working hard at changing the narrative and smashing these stigmas – across generations. Conversations are blooming and leading to action. You are part of this change as you seek help and find the right therapist for you! Stigmas are also being shattered in large part because of evolving resources and education with the growing body of research, making help more accessible to those needing it. Literature has shown being more investigative about what is needed by populations around the world. Research continues to show an increase in people seeking resources and mental health services across cultures, to help navigate life struggles. While the prevalence of stigmas associated with mental and emotional health have been extinguished in some ways, there is still work to be done. Mental and Emotional health are as important as physical wellbeing.

Change Starts With Introspection

Finding the right therapist for you starts with some introspection. Reflecting on your lived experience can be informative for the care you are wanting and needing. Change can be tough and so are you! Here are some questions to consider as you begin the process:

What am I struggling with?
How do I know I’m struggling with this?
Why do I need help?
How is this impacting my life?
How do I define help?
What would I like to change or grow in?
How will I know if I experience growth or change?
Am I ready to seek help?
Where can I go to get help?

Exploring Therapy Options

Not all therapists and clients are a fit! Hopefully you will find relief knowing there is a plethora of providers to choose from based on you and your needs. If you start working with a therapist and it is not the right fit, find another one. You are deserving of quality care! Therapy is not contractual, meaning you are not bound to continue working with them should you decide it is not a good fit. Alignment with the right provider for your unique needs is imperative to see progress.

This is about you…

Therapy can vary in not only the format but also the approach, accessibility, levels of connection and investment. Depending on what you want and need, consider these aspects as you look for help.

therapy options 1024x169 Find The Right Therapist

Therapy Types

Am I looking for myself, others or other relationships?

Individual, Family, Couples, Group (support vs clinical therapy groups).

Approaches

When I think of what I am struggling with, who might be a good fit?

Specialties/Niches – Is there something specific I am struggling with (e.g. eating disorder, disordered eating, body image, trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, etc.).
Generalist – There is nothing specific but rather life as a whole or processing events or circumstances.

Credentials

What level of education and training does my therapist have?

You may wonder what the alphabet soup is behind different providers name. Here are the abbreviations spelled out.

PhD or PsyD – Doctorate level provider.
MA/MS/MSW – Master’s level provider.
License – Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Providers working toward licensure or pre-licensure can be listed as Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). These developing professionals are typically receiving supervision on their work with clients by a licensed provider, as they continue refining their skills and expand clinical experiences. Licenses can be verified through the Division of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

Mode of Therapy

How would I like to engage in therapy?

In-Person, Video, Phone or hybrid of modes.

Connection

How can I form connection with my therapist in the therapeutic process?

What is important in a therapist to you (e.g. demeanor – direct vs softer in approach, life experience, educational background, clinical training, etc.)?
Do they offer a quick phone consultation before you start counseling services? This is not a therapy session but rather a time to hear them, talk with them and gauge fit. You might ask about their experience with what you are hoping to get support with, their treatment philosophy or approach, learn about an overview of the therapy process.
Trust & Safety – Can be imperative in the therapeutic relationship to foster growth and change.

Goal Alignment

What are my short-term and long-term goals for therapy and who might be the best fit for helping me reach these?

Goals for therapy that are SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.
Do you have confidence this therapist can help you reach these and adapt as needed?

Investment

Given my resources, how would I like to invest in my mental and emotional health?

Private pay, insurance or other programs (e.g. employee assistance program [EAP], health savings account [HSA], community mental health, therapists in training – more to come below!).

How To Find The Right Therapist For You

After you spend some time pondering these elements, it can be helpful to explore resources to help you navigate finding the help you need.

Referrals – Seek referrals from trusted people or providers in your life. They may or may not work for your unique needs and that is okay! There are several providers out there. You have choices.

Therapist Directories – You can filter by location, specialization, demographics (e.g. ethnicity, sexuality, language, faith, etc.), mode (in-person or telehealth) and preferred payment (e.g. private pay, insurance, etc.). Here are some directories to help you with the process:

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) for EMDR Certified Therapists
Psychology Today
Simple Practice
TherapyDen
PsyPact (If you need a psychologist licensed in multiple states because of frequent travel or people living in different states wanting therapy together).

Community Mental Health Resources

If you are needing low-cost or free options, there are community mental health options you can explore. Providers can vary from pre-licensed to licensed.

The services listed below are typically offered by students in the process of their schooling toward becoming a mental health provider who are also receiving supervision on their cases by licensed providers. These options include:

Closest Crisis Center Walk-In Resources

If you or somebody you know are in crisis, or at risk of harming others or yourself, please call 911, visit your nearest local emergency room or contact the Colorado Crisis Text Line at 741741 by texting the word “HOME”.

Aurora – Anschutz Medical Campus 2206 Victor Street Aurora, 80045
Denver – 4353 E. Colfax Ave Denver, 80220
Wheat Ridge – 4643 Wadsworth Blvd. Wheat Ridge, 80033
Boulder – 3180 Airport Road Boulder, 80301
Littleton – 6509 S. Sante Fe Drive Littleton, 80120
Greeley – 928 12th Street Greeley, 80631
Colorado Springs – 115 S Parkside Drive Colorado Springs, 80910
Pueblo – 1310 Chinook Lane Pueblo, 81001
Durango – 1125 Three Springs Blvd. Durango, CO 81301
Fort Collins – 2260 W. Trilby Road Fort Collins, CO 80526
Colorado Mental Health Line

Starting Down the Road to Healing and Hope

While this guide is not an exhaustive list of all available resources, the hope is that you have a tangible tool to start the process of finding the right therapist for you! New Directions Colorado is a local Erie practice that encourages and supports you in your pursuit of mental and emotional wellbeing. Should you need referrals for providers outside of what New Directions Colorado specializes in, feel free to reach out and ask!

You may also learn more about therapy services offered by New Directions Colorado, here.