If you’re feeling discouraged about finding the mental health help you need, you’re not alone!
The search for a therapist can be intimidating to say the least, especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed.
Many people don’t even know where to begin, but hopefully, this blog post will help you get started!
The First Thing to Do Is to Try to Identify Your Goals for Therapy
What is the main concern you’d like to tackle in your sessions? What outcome are you hoping for, both long and short-term? Once you’ve determined that, do some research on the types of therapy that best treat the issues you’re dealing with. If you’re unsure what different types of therapy are out there, please check out these past blogs that can help you understand some of the different methods of therapy and what their benefits are:
- https://wellnesspsychologicalservices.com/the-benefits-of-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-its-common-uses/
- https://wellnesspsychologicalservices.com/cognitive-processing-therapy-cpt-by-dr-arroyo-carrion/
- https://wellnesspsychologicalservices.com/treating-trauma-with-emdr-yashira-oropeza-diaz-psyd-mscp-lmhc-licensed-psychologist/
- https://wellnesspsychologicalservices.com/dbt-prolonged-exposure-dbt-pe-by-dr-arroyo-carrion/
Once you’ve determined what types of therapy you’re interested in, you can start to look for therapists. Ones that specialize in those types of therapy, as well as have experience in the issues you’re seeking help with. While there is a ton of information online, many people prefer to get more personalized recommendations. You can try starting with your primary care provider to see if they work with anyone in particular that they can refer you to. Or, you can consider asking family and friends for recommendations of people they’ve had a good experience with.
Once you’ve got the names of a few different therapists, you can often find bios online. Or even schedule a phone consult with them to determine if they’re a good fit for your concerns. You can also search their online reviews, and view their professional blogs and social media pages to get a better idea of what therapy with them might be like.
In addition to clinical concerns, you might also have personal preferences you want to consider.
Are you comfortable speaking to a male or female therapist? Would you benefit best from a clinician who identifies as LGBTQ+? Are there specific life experiences or qualities you’d like your therapist to possess? For example, parenthood, a certain cultural or ethnic background, or a specific faith orientation? If so, these are all things to keep at the front of your mind as you search.
It’s also really important to keep your budget in mind when beginning your search. If you need to use your insurance, be sure to check that a certain provider is in your network with them before scheduling an appointment. Verify your benefits ahead of time. You do this by calling your insurance provider to find out what your out-of-pocket expenses will be, and if they cover the type of therapy you’re looking for. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and can focus on therapists in your network.
Another factor is logistics.
Do you need appointments during the day near your work so you can duck out on a lunch hour? If so, you’ll want to consider practices that are conveniently located for you.
Do you want face-to-face appointments? Or would it be more convenient for you to schedule with a therapist who offers virtual teletherapy? Or do you prefer a hybrid?
Therapists are licensed by the state, so if you’re open to virtual therapy, it vastly expands your search base and gives you even more options, which can be especially helpful if you’re looking for help in a highly specialized area.
The most important thing when looking for a therapist is not to get discouraged!
It can be a long process, but please know that the help you need IS out there. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family to help you in your search. Especially, if it starts to feel like too much. While they likely can’t set up your appointment for you, it can help to have someone do some of the legwork for you. Having someone you trust make phone calls or do online research on your behalf to determine who’s accepting new patients, who has the availability you need, and who is in your network/budget can speed up the process and make it less overwhelming.
I’d also urge you not to become too discouraged if, when you go to schedule, you have to wait a couple of weeks or even be added to a waitlist. Waiting can seem daunting, but oftentimes these waits to go faster than you’d think, and it’s almost always worth it when you’re waiting for the therapist that’s the best fit for you.
If you are looking to get matched with a therapist for in-person services in Saint Petersburg or South Tampa, we have several options.
Our Tampa office is located in South Tampa on Hoover Blvd. Since we are conveniently located right off of the Kennedy I-275 exit right after you get off the Howard Frankland Bridge and right near the Westshore mall. Our St. Petersburg office is conveniently located in Northeast Park on Fourth Street right in front of the main Publix on 38th Ave and in the same building as Pure Barre St. Pete. For this reason, our team is used to working with folks as far as St. Pete Beach and the Old Northeast, all the way to Carrollwood, North Tampa, and Lutz. We also offer virtual services all across the State of Florida with clients ranging from Miami, Orlando, Naples, and really anywhere in the entire state.
Begin Working With A Therapist in St. Pete, FL, Tampa, and Beyond!
Finding the right support can take time, but it can make all the difference in your therapy journey. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to meet with you to see if we are the right fit for you. Please contact us to set up a free consultation. We will set up a consult with one of our psychologists where you can learn more about Wellness Psychological Services.
Other Services Offered With Wellness Psychological Services
There are a variety of mental health concerns you may experience that need different forms of support. This is why our team is happy to offer a variety of mental health services. This is including Trauma/PTSD, EMDR therapy, stress management, health psychology, depression & bipolar disorder. Our services also include DBT, PCIT therapy, and psychological testing & evaluation services, therapy for professionals, anxiety therapy, and online therapy. If you don’t see your issue listed, please get in touch with Wellness Psychological Services. This way you can find out if one of our psychologists can assist you with your unique situation.