Finding a good therapist can often prove to be a challenging journey. To explore what it is that can help lead to a successful and genuinely helpful therapy experience, I spoke with six professionals about what they recommend clients look for in a therapist, and what advice they’d like to offer those considering or embarking on the search process. Here are some of the things that stand out most to them.
Skills
Some therapists have specific areas of specialization or expertise. If there are particular struggles you’re experiencing, methods you’d be interested in, or, conversely, certain things you’d like to avoid, try to take these aspects into consideration.
“Look for someone skilled in what you're looking to work on,” said Jennifer Harris, Psy.D. of Jennifer Harris PsyD and Associates. “If you want to address OCD, finding someone who utilizes ERP can be useful. If you want to address trauma, finding someone who uses a trauma-informed treatment modality like CPT or EMDR might be a priority.”
Personal Preferences
Even if certain things aren’t non-negotiables, it’s still important to trust yourself and search for whatever it is that you specifically prefer. The clinicians I spoke to suggest putting in the time, when possible, instead of compromising on issues that matter to you.
“Consider if their specialties align with what you are looking for, and consider if it's important to have a therapist that shares a particular identity with you (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, age, religion),” Dominique Phua, LCSW, a provider at Amanda Ori PsyD and Associates explained. “I would also say it's okay to change what you are looking for in a therapist based on what you are needing at the time. For some issues, I look for a therapist who is more direct and structured, and for other issues, I prefer more collaborative and self-directed. I think it is okay to be flexible with yourself about what you may need at any given time. As long as you feel comfortable and confident with your therapist, that is always a good place to start.”
Isela Carmean-Guzman, LCPC, of Grow Green Therapy discussed what seemingly small details make the difference for her. “I tend to look for a therapist who is my age or older and shares a bit about themselves on their professional profiles. Additionally, I prefer a therapist who isn't overly academic in their approach and is easy to talk to, though this is often something I discover after a couple of sessions,” she explained.
“Identify how much feedback and dialogue you want from the therapist in sessions,” Amanda Ori, Psy.D., of Amanda Ori Psy.D. and Associates offered. “This is a useful question to ask the therapist while on a consult call, but something you can also get some idea of just by the way the phone call itself goes. For me personally, a bit of humor goes a long way as well; I found I connect well with providers who can show some genuine interaction via laughing together.”
Sarah DeCosmo, Psy.D., a provider at Amanda Ori Psy.D. and Associates, shared, “When looking around, it can be overwhelming. I usually recommend filtering by location (in person, virtual, hybrid), niche specialties you want to focus on (pick one or two things to help you narrow your search), and identity factors that matter the most to you.”
Practicality
It’s important to acknowledge that finding the right therapist might be only half the battle. Finding a professional who is actively taking on clients, is available when you are, offers your preferred method of meeting, and takes your insurance, aligning adequately with you on a practical level, can also be difficult. Clinicians advise keeping this in mind when starting your search.
“I have been fortunate to have had great relationships with two therapists,” Amanda Ori, Psy.D. shared. “One of the first considerations is whether you are looking for in-person or telehealth. Most in-person providers also provide telehealth, but there are also a great deal of telehealth-only providers. Knowing how important that piece is for you can help guide your search.”
Relationship Match
Each of the clinicians I spoke to agreed that one of the most important aspects of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. From a therapist’s usage of humor to a client’s gut feelings and intuition, speaking to different therapists, researching specific clinicians, and trusting yourself is explicitly advised by many professionals.
“It’s important to feel the rapport. Have a consultation session and give it a few sessions to gauge it,” Jennifer Harris, Psy.D. said. “Ask questions and notice what makes you comfortable, notice things that feel relatable like shared culture or interests, use of humor. Pay attention to communication style: do you feel like your questions are being addressed, and do you feel heard?”
Shannon McCarrick, PhD of McCarrick and McClintock advised, “When meeting with a therapist for the first time, you might ask yourself a few basic questions about the person sitting across from you: do I feel comfortable in this person's presence? Do I trust this person? Can I build a strong working relationship with this person? Do I have confidence that this person can help me? As it turns out, these factors (the therapist's warmth, empathy, ability to develop strong working relationships) are among the strongest predictors of a client's success in therapy.1”
“I have always found that it is best to find a therapist who makes you feel both at ease and confident that they can help you with whatever issues are bringing you into therapy. The most successful therapeutic relationships I have had encompassed both humor and a sense of optimism about my progress,” Dominique Phua, LCSW, explained.
“When looking for a therapist, it’s important to find someone you feel safe and comfortable with. You want to have someone in your corner who listens without judgment and communicates in a way that resonates with you,” Sarah DeCosmo, Psy.D. suggested. “Follow your gut when it comes to vibe, personality match, specialties that are important to you. Take time to read bios and don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation. Finding the right fit is a personal process, and it's okay to explore a few options before deciding.”
“Most importantly is connection,” Amanda Ori, Psy.D. concluded. “Being able to have a brief consultation with a potential therapist can give insight on whether you'll be a good fit. While I always say you can't figure out with great certainty if you will enjoy working with that provider after a 15 minute phone consultation, it's a helpful place to start.”
1. Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (Eds.). (2019). Psychotherapy relationships that work: Evidence-based therapist contributions (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press
