Tips for Finding a Therapist

Many graduate students find that, at some point during their graduate careers, it would be helpful to talk to a mental health professional.

There is a basic format for a visit to the Counseling Center when trying to find care. You will first have to schedule a (free) intake appointment by calling the counseling center. Unfortunately, sometimes it can take a few weeks or even a month for an opening to become available, so this should not be for emergency services. At this intake appointment, you will fill out a survey asking about how you have been feeling over the past two weeks. After filling this out, you will be called back to meet with a care manager who will discuss your responses and provide you with options. These options will include: working with a UMD counselor for a limited number (~8) of individual sessions, participating in group sessions (which are unlimited), and working to find an off-campus provider who fits your requirements.

Psychology Today is a great place to look for therapists where you can filter by many important qualities. Things to consider when searching for a therapist:

  • Age/Race/Gender/Religion/Sexuality/Other aspects of identity

  • Specialties (what do you feel like you are struggling most with)

  • Do you want to meet in person or virtually? Are they offering those kinds of services? If you plan to meet in person, how accessible is their office?

  • Do they take your insurance? If they do not file with your insurance, can you file individually? (Note that this often involves fronting payment for multiple sessions, which can be quite expensive)

Other potential resources for exploring potential therapy options are GoodTherapy and Find a Therapist. There are also a host of new online-only options for care, such as "better help" or "talkspace." Remember that it will not always be possible to use online resources to answer every question you might have about a therapist (in particular, what insurance they accept, whether they are taking in-person appointments, and whether they are accepting new clients). When you find someone you think you might be interested in talking to, send them an email or give their office a call.

This can sound overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find a therapist that meets all of your goals! Sometimes you will have to compromise on certain things, and that is ok! Sometimes the first or second or third therapist you find doesn't work out for some reason, and that is also ok! Working on mental health is a process, just like working on physical health. Sometimes patience will be required. Each step forward is a victory worth celebrating!