How To Find A Therapist In Philadelphia: 3 Tips For Finding the Right One For You
You’re searching online for a therapist in Philly.
You enter, “therapist in philadelphia” into google and the results pop up. You see a bunch of directories and websites listing hundreds of therapists. They all say, “contact me for a free consultation”. What does that mean? And how’s a new therapy seeker to know where to begin choosing the therapist that will help them achieve their goals?
I know it can feel downright overwhelming to sift through profiles and start making calls and emails. Even more stressful, you might reach out to someone you think is a great fit, only to find out that they don’t take your insurance or are not accepting new clients! Who wants to go to the trouble of picking up the phone and reaching a dead end?
Philadelphia is a big city, so it makes sense that there are many therapy options. There are agencies, private practices and training centers galore in the city of brotherly love. Each setting varies widely in the services they provide, their specialties and fees to name a short few. The good news is that therapists are here to help. Even if they are full, they should help you by providing referrals and pointing you in the right direction.
Even so, you may be asking yourself, What should I ask? What should I say? How will I know if they are the right therapist for me?
Breathe. I’ve made this post to help.
Questions to ask a Therapist in Philadelphia
In my work, I hear from many prospective clients about how confusing the process of finding a therapist can be. You are not alone in this. I have been confused myself in the past. Read on for questions and tips to make your process more efficient and helpful.
*The lists below are not exhaustive, and you likely won’t need to ask every single question. If you do, that’s okay too! Therapists love answering questions.
Questions About Logistics and Fees
This is where you should start. It can feel uncomfortable, but this step couldn’t be more important. Your therapist needs to click with you on all levels, not just personally.
How much does each session cost?
Do you accept insurance?
Do you have a sliding scale?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Do you provide receipts?
Where are you located?
Is there parking?
Nearby public transportation?
Is your office accessible?
Do you offer online or video sessions?
How frequently will we meet?
Getting a general sense of your preferences and requirements will help you to quickly narrow your search. If you live in Fishtown and want someone local, search your zip code and the word therapist to get started. Know that you’d like to use insurance to cover the cost of therapy? Search your insurance name (ex. Keystone), zip code and therapist. You can use the questions above in your search and when speaking to a potential therapist to find out if they may be a match.
Therapist Tip #1:
Most therapists will provide this information on their website FAQ. Check them out and see if you can determine if they might be a logistical match first. Follow up with an email if you have outstanding questions. Remember, if the therapist isn’t a good match in terms of affordability, location and scheduling, you are likely better off finding someone who is. You might find an amazing therapist with an office in center city. They may only have morning availability. If you can’t stand the early morning traffic and the cost of parking, you might stop coming before you make progress. Making sure the logistics match your situation leads to better outcomes in therapy.
“Good Fit” and Therapist Style
After you’ve determined that a therapist is a logistical match, you can move on to determining what therapists refer to as “good fit”. You might be thinking, “What is good fit and why are therapists so concerned about it?!” I’m here to demystify the “good fit” concept.
Good fit is a combination of the practicalities mentioned earlier, what you need help with, and how well matched your concerns are with the therapist’s experience and specialties. All three of these considerations should come in to play before you decide on your therapist, and any therapists you speak with will also be considering these things too! Therapist want to make sure to check these boxes before you commit the time and money to your first session. When you have that initial phone consult with a therapist, they will ask you about what’s bringing you in, what you are looking for, and talk to you about their approach before scheduling. This is a no-pressure exploration and is meant to help you decide your next steps.
Questions to ask a Therapist About Fit
What areas of mental health are you an expert in?
Do you have specialized training?
Do you have experience working with _________?
How do you approach working with clients from a different background than you?
Do you do couples therapy, or only individual?
What theories or types of therapy is your work informed by?
For example, you might be seeking therapy for relationship problems. You find a therapist who is accessible to you, and lists “relationship health” on their website as a concern they work with. They may be a marriage and family therapist (MFT or LMFT), and therefore have specific training in relationships. This would likely be a “good fit”. Hurray!
Therapist Tip #2:
Do not worry if the therapist you are talking to lets you know that they are not a good fit for you. This is in no way a rejection. It would actually be unethical for a therapist to accept a client who was not a good fit, because we know that a good fit will create better outcomes for the client. If you needed a specific type of therapy, you should see the expert, who has the training and experience to help you most effectively.
So you find someone who seems like a good fit on paper. You schedule that call. You get them on the phone. During the call, I want you to remember that therapy and therapists come in all types, personalities and focuses. Maybe you have a sense that you need a very kind, empathetic and supportive therapist. Or maybe you want a therapist who will call you out or give you practical tools. Others may want to do a deep dive into childhood, social injustice, culture and so on. Therefore, beyond just specialty, it is important to get a sense for the therapist’s unique approach. The phone consultation is a perfect opportunity to do this. You don’t really need any fancy questions, just ask, “Can you tell me a little about your approach and style?”.
By the end of the phone consult, you will either know you want to schedule, take some time to think it over, or continue your search. If they weren’t “it” that’s okay. Keep going. You now have information that can help you along your path.
Therapist Tip #3:
Let me encourage you to “shop around”. Take some time and explore the options available to you. You will probably know when you’ve spoken to the right therapist for you- they care about what you care about, and you get a sense that they understand and have the expertise to help. Therapy is deeply personal, so try to stay true to what you need. And if your call or first session doesn’t feel like a good fit, ask your therapist for help with connecting to others that might be a better fit. There is no shame in changing if necessary and your therapist knows this and wants the best for you, even if it’s not with them.
I hope my tips and explanations help you find the right therapist in Philly for you. If you are still unsure, please feel free to call me or email me with questions. I am very happy to help my philly community connect to therapists that make sense for them. We can set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to talk options and get you pointed in the right direction. If you are interested in working with me, you can read more about how I can help, my specialties and approach here.
Wishing you the best on your therapy journey!
