Counseling for Success
© 2003- 2011, Counseling for Success, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
How to Find A Therapist

Have you been wondering, "Where can I find a therapist?" We have some useful suggestions to help you in your search. 

Finding a therapist or counselor you feel comfortable with can be difficult but certainly worth the effort.  

Here are some suggestions to help you find a therapist a little easier.
Step 1
Ask friends, family members or your health care provider.  Word of mouth referrals are useful when finding a therapist, because the people who refer you usually have direct experience with the therapist they are recommending.

Searching for a therapist online.  Many high quality therapists can be found doing a search on the internet.  As you review their website, see if the content is relevant and speaks to you.  There are many different philosophies and methods counselors use, so make sure their style and methodology is compatible with you and the counselor has experience treating the issues you are seeking help with.

Step 2
Once you have a few good recommendations or leads, interview those therapists or counselors over the phone.  Most counselors offer a complimentary consultation. Briefly describe your concerns and some of your goals and challenges.  Find out what modalities the therapist utilizes, the average length of time a client sees them, and what type of clients they work best with. Ask for some examples of their successes and as well as their limitations.

At the end of the interview, you should feel comfortable with the counselor's approach and feel confident in their ability to handle your concerns.  You should feel heard, respected, and understood.

Step 3
Determine how much you can afford and how important is quality versus cost.  If you can afford it, it's best to select a therapist based on his/her experience and expertise rather than the least expensive therapist you can find.  Many clients actually save money seeing a therapist that costs a little more but for fewer sessions than going to a less expensive therapist over a longer period of time.  Additionally, most people would prefer to pay a little more to have their issues resolved in a shorter period of time.

Ask about the counselors fees, insurance coverage and if needed, find out if that counselor offers a sliding fee scale.  Out of network coverage is different than in network coverage, so be sure to ask if they are a licensed mental health provider and either "in network" or "out of network" with your insurance company.

Step 4
If it seems like a good fit, ask about days and times available and schedule your appointment.  Many people wait to see a therapist until their symptoms are severe.  Don't wait any longer than necessary to get help from a counselor.

Step 5
Consider online therapy.  Online therapy is growing more and more in popularity across the nation.  Usually it is conducted by video conferencing so you can stay in the comfort of your own home and interact in real time, with face to face video conferencing.  Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness is the same as in person therapy.  Learn more about on line therapy.

Click on the links below to learn more about frequently asked questions about counseling at Counseling for Success and our counseling services.



We offer a 20 minute complimentary, private consultation.
Proudly serving Redmond, Kirkland, Everett, Spokane, Renton, Mercer island, Medina, Bothell, Shoreline, Snohomish county, king county, washington state, leavenworth, bainbridge island, san juan islands, bremerton, tri-cities, yakima, tacoma, vancouver, everett, kent, yakima, spokane valley, federal way, bellingham, centralia, bonney lake, puyallup, auburn, anacortes, des moines, edmonds, kenmore, marysville, olympia, wenatchee, university place, tumwater, whidbey island, camano island, oak harbor, oak harbor, anacortes, lopez island, friday harbor, oras island, san juan island, poulsbo, silverdale, centralia, longview.