Finding the Right Therapist for You

By Audra Balcarcel MA, LPC

Starting therapy can feel intimidating and honestly, a little nerve-racking. Especially if you’re not sure what to look for or where to begin. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. This post will walk you through some simple steps to help you find a therapist who feels like the right fit for you. 

1. Clarify Your Goals 

What are you hoping to accomplish through therapy? Having a general sense of your goals can help you identify the type of therapist or approach that may work best for you. 

Examples of therapy goals include: 

● Reducing or managing symptoms (e.g., panic attacks, anger, rumination, forgetfulness, hopelessness, depressed mood) 

● Improving communication skills 

● Learning healthy coping strategies 

● Processing grief or loss 

● Exploring relationship patterns 

● Building self-confidence 

● Overcoming fears or phobias 

● Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries 

● Enhancing social skills 

● Increasing accountability 

Knowing what you’d like to focus on can help narrow down your options and make your search more efficient.

2. Comfortability 

Take a moment to reflect on the kind of person you might feel most comfortable opening up to. The more comfortable you feel in the therapeutic relationship, the more space there is for healing and growth. 

Would you feel more at ease with someone closer to your age? Would you prefer a therapist who specializes in the specific challenges you’re facing right now? Or perhaps it would be meaningful for you to work with someone who can integrate spiritual guidance into your sessions. 

Sometimes, we already have an intuitive sense of what helps us feel safe and supported. Paying attention to those preferences can be a helpful guide in choosing a therapist who truly meets your needs. 

3. Consider Your Availability 

What days and times work best for you to attend sessions? In the beginning, it’s often recommended to meet regularly—such as once a week or every other week—to help build consistency and rapport. Keep in mind that therapists’ schedules vary, and some may have limited availability. Finding someone whose schedule aligns with yours can be an important practical consideration. 

4. Plan Financially 

Will you be using insurance or paying out of pocket for sessions? Therapists differ in which insurance plans they accept and what their session rates are. These considerations may help you narrow down the list of options. If cost is a concern, there are often community clinics, nonprofits, or training centers that offer low-cost or sliding-scale therapy options. 

5. Give it a Try 

Sometimes we don’t know which therapeutic approach, personality, or style will feel right until we give it a try—and that’s completely okay. Finding the right therapist often involves some trial and error, and that’s a normal part of the process. While it can feel discouraging to put yourself out there, remember that it’s all to benefit your mental health and overall well-being. 

Many clinics and therapists provide biographical information about their education, experience, and specialties to help potential clients learn more about them. This can be a quick and helpful way to get a sense of whether a therapist might be a good fit before scheduling an appointment.

There are also online platforms, such as Psychology Today, that allow you to filter your search by insurance, specialty, location, and type of counseling (telehealth or in-person). These tools can make the process of finding a therapist much easier and more personalized. 

As therapists, our job is to support you in reaching your goals and creating the life you want. If you discover that a particular therapist isn’t the right fit, it’s perfectly fine to try again! We encourage you to advocate for yourself throughout this journey—because ultimately, you know yourself best.

To schedule an appointment at ATPWC, please click here or call us at  586.213.5505.