26: How to Find a Good Therapist
Struggle Care
Introduction
Casey Davis: There's not really a difference between therapy and counseling. A psychiatrist is the only one that can prescribe you medication, he says. "When we're talking about mental health counseling, we'retalking about mental health therapy"
If you’ve thought about finding a counselor or therapist, you know it can seem overwhelming. Remember that those first few sessions are essentially a time for YOU to interview the therapist to see if there are good vibes and a good fit for you. Don’t be intimidated by the process! I’m breaking it down with tips and advice about finding the right therapist for you. Join me for this episode!
Show Highlights:
- The basics: What is the difference between therapy and counseling?
- A breakdown of different providers and what they do: psychiatrist, psychologist, therapists, and counselors
- How to find a provider–with and without insurance (Visit my Shop at www.strugglecare.com to download my FREE pdf file, Finding a Therapist.)
- How to contact a provider when you’ve chosen one and what to say (Hint: It matters whether your private insurance is a PPO or HMO.)
- What to ask during the first phone call about scheduling constraints, experience with your specific issue, typical sessions, etc.
- Why it is OK to go into the first session with questions of your own
- What you should communicate to the provider during the first session
- How to ask the provider about their supervision, cancellation policies, emergencies sessions or phone calls
- How to tell the provider that they aren’t a good fit for you
- Probing questions you can ask to determine any biases/prejudices your provider might have around religion, spirituality, interventions, faith, LGBTQ people, gender identity, sexuality, psychiatric medications
- How to figure out the therapist qualities that matter most to you
- Safety resources in the US (See Resources below for details.)
Resources:
If you are in a domestic violence situation and need safety now, call the 24-hour hotline 1-800-799-7233.
If you are under 18 and need help, safety, counseling, or services, text “Safe” with your address, city, and state to 44357.
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) is America’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. If you’ve been assaulted and need help, call their hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
Lifeline Suicide Help can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. They provide 24-hour free and confidential support to people in distress who need crisis resources.
The Trevor Project is a chat, text, and phone support line for LGBTQ youth in crisis. They provide peer programs and resources. Reach them at www.thetrevorproject.com.
NEXT Distro is an online and email-based harm reduction service designed to reduce the opioid overdose death rate, prevent injection-related disease transmission, and improve the lives of those who use drugs. Find them at www.nextdistro.org.
Never Use Alone can be reached if you choose to use drugs alone. Their operator will stay on the line with you while you use and notify emergency services if you stop responding. Find them at www.neverusealone.com and 800-484-3731.
Connect with KC:
Connect with KC: TikTok, Instagram, and Website (Find the FREE pdf, Finding a Good Therapist, under the “Shop” tab.)
Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
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