How To Find the Right NYC Therapist for You
So you’re finally ready to consider therapy. Feeling ready to seek help can feel like an uphill battle all on its own. Once you have made the brave choice to seek support, the notion of finding the right therapist for you can be overwhelming, or even downright scary. If you are feeling freaked out about how to best begin the process of finding a therapist, you’ve come to the right place. Various factors come into play when searching for the right therapist. In an ideal world, we would all have access to a surplus of high quality affordable therapists providing gold standard care. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the case for many of us. Therefore, if you need a place to start, keep reading to learn a little bit more about how you can best navigate the process of finding the right therapist.
What are the different types of therapists?
Doctoral level therapists.
Psychologists
A psychologist is a licensed mental health professional who has a doctoral degree in psychology, either a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology). Doctoral level graduate school programs range from 5 to 8 years of training. Psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat a range of mental health disorders using a range of therapeutic techniques, but do not prescribe medication. Psychologists are licensed by state and psychologists licensed in New York are regulated by the New York Board of Psychology.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a medical degree (MD), who specializes in treating mental health. Psychiatrists, like other medical doctors, prescribe medication to treat mental health symptoms, and some also provide therapy. Many psychiatrists focus primarily on medication management, though some also provide therapeutic support. It is not uncommon for individuals receiving treatment for mental health symptoms to see a primary therapist regularly for therapy and to see a psychiatrist for medication prescription and management. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners also prescribe psychiatric medication, as do some primary care providers.
Master’s level therapists
Master’s level therapists receive their master’s degree via 2-year graduate programs and then complete an additional 2 years of clinical hours before they can be fully licensed. There are several types of master’s level therapists.
A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is trained to provide therapy to individuals, families, and groups. Their training often encompasses how our societal systems, such as systems of oppression, healthcare, or poverty, impact our mental health. Licensed Clinical Social Workers also receive training focused on connecting individuals to supportive services and resources.
A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) is a master’s level therapist specially trained to provide therapy to couples and families. They focus on the relationships between people and how our relationships can impact our mental health.
Which type of therapist is right for me?
There is considerable overlap in training and expertise among the different types of therapists. There will be therapists with each type of training or degree who can serve your needs and support you effectively. The right for you depends upon various factors that I will talk more about below.
What should I consider when looking for the right NYC therapist?
Focus on your specific needs
Most therapists are not specially trained to treat every mental health issue under the sun. It is important to find a therapist who has specialized training and experience treating the specific mental health issue that you are experiencing. There are therapists who specialize in treating substance use disorders, eating disorders, trauma and PTSD, anxiety, etc.
Many therapists have profiles on therapist directories and/or their own websites that will describe their areas of specialization. Don’t be afraid to ask a prospective therapist about their experience treating a particular concern or issue. Being selective in this way will increase the likelihood that you receive the best support for your specific and unique needs.
Determine Whether you Prefer In-Person or Virtual Care
Research indicates that virtual therapy is equally effective as in-person therapy. Virtual therapy is a great option if you are looking to minimize logistical challenges and maximize your time, ease of accessing care, and convenience. Attending therapy virtually cuts out the challenges of commuting and helps streamline the stress of managing your already busy and hectic schedule.
If you prefer or feel most comfortable connecting with a therapist in person, then be sure to query prospective providers about whether they provide in-office visits. When you are determining whether in-person or virtual therapy is best for you, important considerations include whether you have access to a secure, private space to attend therapy virtually. Those of us who live with multiple family members or roommates may feel most comfortable attending therapy in person.
If you decide that you are most comfortable with attending therapy in person, try and find a therapist whose office will be easily accessible to you from your home, school, or workplace. The fewer barriers there are to you accessing your care, the more likely you are to stick with it!
OK, so, how do I search for the right therapist for me?
Ask for Referrals
Ask a healthcare provider or trusted individual you know personally. If you have a primary care doctor or other health professional familiar with your needs, you can ask them for referrals. Your healthcare provider may be able to provide a trusted referral or help you find specialized mental health support based upon specific needs. If you feel comfortable in doing so, asking trusted others, such as friends or family members can yield trusted and valuable therapy resources.
Use a therapist directory with a solid reputation. There are several large-scale therapist directories that allow you to filter and search by location, insurance provider, specialty areas, gender, race, language, etc. Several trusted directory options include Psychology Today, Inclusive Therapists, and Therapy Den. These directories provide information about a prospective therapist’s experience, specializations, demographic and logistical information, and credentials. Once you have narrowed down a few options, you can research further by checking out a prospective therapist’s own website, if they have one, or by searching for reviews or testimonials of them online. You may be able to find client reviews via a quick google search.
Consider Demographic Preferences
It isn't discriminatory to choose your therapist based on gender, race, or another aspect of identity. It's important that you can relate to and feel comfortable talking to your therapist. If you feel most comfortable opening up and relating to someone who shares an aspect of your identity (e.g., gender, ethnicity, race, religion, or sexual orientation), you can filter or search based upon these preferences.
Do Consultations
Finally, there's only so much you can learn online. The best thing you can do to determine if a therapist is the right fit for you is to schedule a consultation and talk to them. Research indicates that one of the most important factors determining positive outcomes in therapy is the fit between client and therapist and quality of the therapeutic relationship.
Many quality therapists will offer brief, free consultation appointments to allow for you to both determine whether you are the right fit for one another. During a consultation appointment, the prospective therapist should ask about some of your needs and goals, and you should be given the opportunity to ask questions about the therapist’s approaches, experience, and logistical items including scheduling, policies, and costs.
If possible, it is a good idea to meet with several therapists for consultation appointments to determine who might be the best fit for you. The consultation is a great opportunity to assess whether you feel comfortable speaking with the prospective therapist. Important questions to ask yourself include do I feel accepted and heard? Does this therapist seem nonjudgmental, warm, and compassionate? If you feel uncomfortable or you don’t ‘click’ with the therapist you are speaking with, it’s a good idea to trust your gut. Sometimes, styles and personalities don't mix, and that's okay.
Get support with online therapy in New York City
Align Therapy Services and Dr. Rachel Larrain Montoni, Ph.D., can help you get the support you need to begin your healing journey. Finding the right therapist can feel like an overwhelming and anxiety-provoking task. Scheduling a consultation is the first step to getting the support you need. Meeting with the right therapist can help you to recognize patterns that aren’t serving you, develop healthy coping skills, and forge a brighter path ahead. So reach out to us today and let’s see if we are good match for you.
