Top 5 Tips to Find a Therapist
Word of mouth
Chat up your friends and family. Chances are they know who has stories of success from therapists in the area.
Your doctor
Ask your doctor for a referral. Most primary cares and specialists (think Physical Therapist, OB/GYN, Massage Therapist) understand the benefit of a collaborative care model and likely have clinical relationships with local therapists who may be a great fit for you.
Insurance Company
Did you know your insurance company actually has an obligation to secure an in-network appointment for you? It’s true. Give them a call (use the member services number on your insurance card) and ask them to do an “Appointment Search” for you. They will call around to in-network providers and schedule an intake appointment for you. If they are unsuccessful in doing so, you can request an out-of-network approval at that time.
Psychology Today
Psychology Today is a free database you can use to search for providers specifically by location and area of expertise. If you’re a consumer of insurance in Massachusetts, MA recently passed the Telehealth Parity bill, which means your private insurance has to cover telehealth services. What’s cool about this is that you can see a provider anywhere in the state—so feel free to expand your zipcode search!
Online Search
Because Psychology Today is a subscription-based service, not all providers choose to have an online profile on the website. Feel free to do a basic google search for therapists in the area. Some good search terms might look like: “Therapists in (your zip code)” “CBT Therapist (your zip code)”
BONUS TIP: If you have your heart set on a practice or provider who isn’t in-network (also: check your plan for ‘out-of-network benefits’) or who doesn’t have any current openings, ask them who they might recommend. Practices want to help you find a therapist who can help, so do not be afraid to ask for a referral!