How To Find A Therapist Near Me: A Complete Guide

Starting the process of finding the right therapist near you may feel overwhelming, but it can be a positive step toward improved mental health. Whether you search online, ask for a referral from your doctor, check your insurance directory, or use a matching platform like BetterHelp, there are several pathways to connect with a provider who fits your needs. Cost, distance, the therapist's specialty, and your provider preferences are a few key factors that may matter in your search.

This article covers practical tips for finding experienced therapists, either online or in person. It also covers how to recognize a good match for your needs and what to expect when you attend a session for the first time.

Signs you may benefit from seeing a therapist

Experiencing mental health symptoms, like signs of depression or anxiety, is a common reason people start looking for a therapist. However, a person might also benefit from therapy even if they're not showing signs of a diagnosable disorder.

Common reasons people seek therapy

Different types of therapy may help with different challenges. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help people experiencing anxiety learn to shift distorted thoughts, while dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may help people experiencing depression learn to manage strong emotions. You can also use therapy as a way to develop healthy coping skills, cultivate more self-awareness, work toward your professional goals, and foster happiness, healing, and growth.

Types of therapists and what they do

Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who provide assistance for understanding emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They can help people learn how to manage the symptoms of various mental health conditions, but you don't need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy.

There are various types of mental health professionals, each with different qualifications, training, and education. Understanding these differences can help you find the right provider for your needs.

Psychologist vs. therapist vs. counselor

The primary difference between a psychologist and a therapist or counselor is the level of education required. Psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD), while licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) hold master's degrees. Because psychologists have more extensive training, they can often conduct more in-depth evaluations and may treat more complex conditions. However, many types of mental health professionals can provide effective support, and the services they can provide are usually dictated by the scope of practice established in their state of licensure.

What to look for in a licensed therapist

All counselors, psychologists, and therapists must be licensed by their state board to practice. Every state has different licensing requirements. However, they typically include completing a master's degree program, passing a required certification exam, and completing a specified number of supervised clinical hours. After obtaining a state license, most professionals are required to complete continuing education hours to maintain it. Checking a therapist's qualifications and licensure can help you ensure that you are working with a qualified professional. With a clearer picture of provider types, you can begin evaluating other factors that matter to you.

Factors to consider when searching for a therapist near me

Before you start looking for a therapist, it can be useful to evaluate your needs and preferences to guide your search. Below are a few key factors to consider.

Your reasons for seeking therapy

The first factor to consider is why you're seeking therapy, which can help you decide which type of provider you're looking for and the therapeutic approach that may be most helpful. For example, you might look for a therapist who specializes in trauma-informed therapy if you need help processing the pain of adverse experiences.

Your therapist preferences

Having a therapist you feel comfortable with may contribute to better therapy outcomes. The first step toward finding a good fit is considering your preferences in a provider. For example, many Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) prefer to see a therapist who identifies as BIPOC themselves, just as many in the LGBTQIA+ community prefer to work with a therapist who identifies as LGBTQIA+ themselves.

You may also have preferences related to your therapist's:

• Age
• Gender identity
• Cultural background
• Religious beliefs
• Language(s) spoken

Their professional experience could be important to you as well. For instance, you might want a provider who has experience working with clients who have obsessive-compulsive disorder, a chronic illness, a certain type of trauma history, etc. Or, you might want a provider who has a certain certification or area of focus.

How much therapy costs

Cost is an important factor for many people who are looking for a therapist. How much a therapy session costs depends on many factors. The following table outlines some key cost considerations:

Finding a therapist who fits your budget can be an important step toward connecting with the right provider for you.

Online therapy vs. in-person therapy

Next, you'll need to decide if you feel more comfortable meeting with a therapist virtually (via phone, video, or chat) or in person.

Online therapy eliminates the need to commute and sit in a waiting room, letting you connect with your therapist from home. That's why it can be an accessible or more convenient option for patients who:

• Have a disability or medical conditions that make them unable to travel to appointments
• Live in remote or rural areas with few or no mental health care providers nearby
• Are looking for a type of specialty provider who does not practice in their immediate area
• Live in a densely populated city where there are not enough therapists to meet demand

That said, in-person therapy may be best for those who have specialized needs, are looking for psychiatry, family therapy, or group therapy, or find it easier to bond with a therapist when they're face-to-face. Consider any preferences you may have, or try both types of sessions to see which you prefer.

How to find a therapist near me

There are many ways to start your therapist search. Below are a few to consider.

Doing an online search

Doing an online search is a common way to begin. You can use a search engine to find results that match your criteria by searching for phrases like "anxiety therapist in [city]," "LGBTQIA+ trauma-informed therapy near me," or "therapist who specializes in grief." You can also use an online directory to filter for specific types of providers or specialties.

When evaluating search results, look for information about the therapist's credentials, areas of expertise, and approach to treatment. If you find a prospective therapist this way, you can reach out to them via phone or email to ask about their rates and availability. A sample outreach message could look like this:

"Hello, I'm interested in attending therapy for my anxiety symptoms, and I noticed you specialize in CBT for anxiety. Do you accept [insurance company name], and are you currently taking on new clients?"

Asking for a referral

Another option is to meet with your primary care doctor to ask for a referral. You can share your main symptoms with them to see if they know a provider who could help and who accepts your health insurance (if applicable).

Asking for a personal recommendation

If you have family members, friends, a partner, or other loved ones who are in therapy, you can ask them for a recommendation. You may not want to see the same therapist that they do, but asking how they found theirs or whether their therapist can recommend someone could be a helpful place to start.

Contacting your insurance company

If you have health insurance that covers therapy, your insurance company will often have a list of in-network providers (online and/or in person). You can contact a provider from the list to confirm that they take your insurance, ask about their credentials, and find out about their availability. Learn more about insurance coverage.

Getting matched with a therapist online

If you're interested in online therapy, you can use the matching feature on a platform like BetterHelp to find a therapist. Here is a brief overview of how it works:

1. Fill out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences—it takes just a few minutes and uses a research-backed matching framework to improve fit and satisfaction.

2. Get matched with a licensed provider.

3. Schedule your first virtual session.

Another option is to visit BetterHelp's Find a Therapist page, where you can browse providers who serve your area and filter by specialty (like "depression" or "family conflict"), language spoken, gender identity, and other traits (like a therapist of color, LGBTQIA+-friendly, etc.). Once you've found a provider this way, you can request an appointment to see if they have availability.

Please note that therapist availability in specific languages can vary and isn't always guaranteed. Similarly, while a match with a therapist from your exact cultural background can't always be ensured, BetterHelp may connect you with a counselor who's well-suited to your needs, considering things like your location, background, and the specific challenges you'd like to address. After you've connected with a potential therapist, you may want to evaluate whether they're the right fit.

How to know when you've found the right therapist

Recognizing when you've found the right fit in a therapist may signify the end of your search and the beginning of your healing journey. Sometimes, attending a consultation call or an initial session can be enough to tell whether a therapist will or will not be a good fit for your needs. In other cases, you may need to attend a few sessions before making your decision.

Some signs of a good therapeutic fit can include:

• Confirmation that a therapist has the experience or expertise that you need
• Feeling like your therapist genuinely cares
• Recognizing that your therapist actively listens when you speak
• Feeling safe and understood when speaking with your therapist

If you don't feel like a particular therapist is the right fit for your needs, it's okay to switch. It's not uncommon to change therapists a few times before finding the right provider for you. Once you've found someone who seems like a good match, knowing what to expect from your first session can ease any nerves.

What to expect from your first therapy visit

Gaining a deeper understanding of what to expect from your first therapy visit may help you feel less nervous and more prepared. While each therapist may do things a bit differently, the initial session usually involves these steps:

1. Introductions. The therapist may introduce themselves and talk about their professional experience and approach to therapy, and they'll also ask you to share what's bringing you to therapy.

2. Intake. The intake portion is when the therapist asks questions about your health history, whether you've been in therapy before, and what your lifestyle is like. They'll often want to understand how your symptoms or concerns are disrupting your life and what your treatment goals are.

3. Logistics. You might also discuss logistics around payment and scheduling.

Therapists understand that a first session can be nerve-wracking. Most are dedicated to helping new clients feel safe and comfortable.

Why online therapy can provide added convenience

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can make the process of finding a therapist easier, especially for those who face geographic or scheduling barriers. Because you can connect with licensed providers from anywhere, online therapy eliminates the need to find someone in your immediate area. BetterHelp therapists often offer expanded hours compared to in-person providers, which can make it easier to find a time slot that works for you. You can also use in-app messaging to communicate with your therapist outside of sessions, and they'll typically respond when they are available.

Efficacy of virtual care compared to face-to-face therapy

A growing body of evidence supports the use of online therapy as treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. For example, a 2022 meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported that teletherapy led to large symptom reductions and that client outcomes were the same as those produced by in-person care. BetterHelp's platform data also point to the effectiveness of online therapy, with over 1.7 million client ratings scoring sessions 4.9 out of five and 82% of clients being likely to recommend their therapists to others.

Online therapy vs. in-person therapy costs

On average, in-person therapy can cost between $100 and $350 per session without insurance. The cost of online therapy via BetterHelp ranges from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, with costs based on your location, referral source, preferences, any applicable discounts, and therapist availability.

Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans in select states, and eligible members may pay an average copay of about $23 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability, so check your plan details and BetterHelp for current eligibility and in-network status. HSA/FSA cards may also be accepted, depending on your provider. Discounts and financial aid may be available for non-insurance users.

BetterHelp now also offers psychiatry services through UpLift. Psychiatry is an additional care option available alongside therapy and may include medication management when clinically appropriate. Many UpLift providers are in-network with major insurance carriers, and eligible members may pay an average copay of about $20. The cost of any medication will depend on your insurance plan and pharmacy benefits.

Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.