Finding & Selecting a Therapist

Searching for a Provider

If you'd like a list of local counselors, please contact the guidance office directly. Otherwise, below is information about how to search for providers online or through your insurance.


Internet Search Engine - Psychology Today

  1. Visit www.psychologytoday.com

  2. At the top, click on "Find a Therapist".

  3. Enter your zip code and click on the magnifying class to initiate the search.

  4. Local therapists will appear. You can view their profiles to learn more about them. On the left side of the screen, you'll see options to refine your search, such as to refine the list by insurance provider or those who specialize in children.


Searching Through Insurance

If you have insurance, a phone number is typically provided on the back of the insurance card regarding behavioral health services. If you contact this number, a list can typically be provided of local counselors in the area. Additionally, once obtained, that list can be reviewed by your pediatrician, who may be able to give recommendations regarding providers on the list.

Types of Providers

Acronyms can be confusing. Therapy is typically provided by:

  • Licensed counselors (NCC, LAC, LPC, LCPC)

  • Social workers (MSW, LCSW)

  • Doctors of psychology (PsyD, PhD)

​These types of providers are equal regarding potential effectiveness - one is not superior to another. This is because research shows that the primary factor affecting the success of therapy is the relationship between provider and the client (your child), as opposed to the provider's educational degree. Additionally, all therapists offer hope and a new perspective on challenges, which are also primary benefits of therapy (Myers & DeWall, 2015).

​Psychiatrists (MDs) are medical doctors that specialize in psychiatric disorders. They typically prescribe and monitor psychiatric medication, as opposed to providing counseling. CADCs/LCADCs are alcohol and drug counselors, while MFTs/LMFTs are marriage and family therapists. These are other common acronyms you may encounter in your search.

Qualities of Effective Providers

When selecting a provider, here are some basic characteristics to pay attention to:

  • Communication and trust. Effective therapists express themselves clearly in a way that you can understand. You should feel as though you can trust the counselor and that s/he is genuinely interested in what you are sharing.

  • Explanation of symptoms. While the first few sessions are devoted to getting to know you and better understanding why you are seeking help, your therapist should ultimately be able to provide an explanation for your symptoms in a manner that feels understandable to you.

  • Treatment planning. Counselors conduct an assessment at the beginning of treatment and then should be able to share with you his/her plans for treatment. You should understand what the counselor is planning to do over the course of treatment and why, and such plans should be adjusted based on how you respond to recommendations and/or if new information about symptoms become apparent over the course of treatment.

​For more about qualities of effective providers, see here: 13 Qualities to Look for in an Effective Psychotherapist

(Whitbourne, 2011)

Insurance Considerations

Not all therapists accept insurance, so be sure to ask about that when making your first appointment. Also, be sure to consult with your health insurance carrier before your first appointment. Some things you'll want to learn from your health insurance carrier are:

  • Whether or not you have coverage for mental health counseling

  • Whether or not there is a deductible, and if so, the amount

  • If there is a limit regarding the number of sessions covered per year

  • How much insurance covers per session

When therapists don't take insurance, they often will provide you with paperwork that you can submit to your insurance personally to receive reimbursement. This typically involves you paying the full amount for an appointment to the therapist at the time of service, submitting the paperwork to your insurance after the appointment, and the insurance company reimbursing you afterward once they've reviewed what you submitted. The amount that insurance reimburses you depends on your coverage. Be sure to consult with your health insurance carrier to learn about the extent of coverage they provide in that situation (see questions above). Additionally, some therapists offer a "sliding scale", which means they may be able to reduce their rate depending your family's financial circumstances.

References

Myers, D.G. & DeWall, C.K. (2015). Psychology, 11th ed. New York: Worth Publishers.

Whitbourne, S.K. (2011). 13 qualities to look for in an effective psychotherapist. Psychology Today. Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com.