Affordability
Not all therapists take insurance, but some offer a sliding scale in which you pay what you can afford. Fortunately, a relatively short, customized and client-targeted course of treatment can be of equal if not greater benefit than prolonged therapy. When you find a few promising prospects, apply the same qualifying criteria to all prospects regardless of cost.
Are They Couch Veterans Themselves?
You want a therapist who's been in therapy to ensure the therapist's personal issues don't interfere with his or her ability to view and treat yours objectively. Psychotherapist Drew Coster writes on his blog, “I found that 18 months of therapy changed me and defined who I became for the rest of my life. Since then, I’ve been a strong advocate for therapists having therapy, and I always stand by the belief that I could never ask my clients to do something that I wouldn’t be prepared to do myself. “
Set Up the Interview
It's important to have a brief consultation with the therapist on the phone or at the therapist's office to determine if going forward with a course of treatment with him or her feels like the right fit. Are you comfortable with the therapist's style and how he or she expresses himself or herself? For example, a clinician who speaks so softly you need to strain to hear may be a problem. Is he or she is too aggressive for your taste? Most important: Do you feel heard, understood and treated with respect?