Looking for a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Any advice?

[WonderMusic]

I'm looking for therapists through psychologytoday. I know how to filter so I'm not having too much trouble finding options, but is there any advice that anyone could share about finding and working with a CBT? Things like expectations, questions to ask, etc.?

[purplefuzz]

Hi! I tend to filter mine through the specialties, how long they have been in practice, reviews that are on a website that they can't edit, if any honors through their schools (because even a Dr. with a low GPA is still graduates as a Dr.), and just how they sound and present themselves. I don't typically judge through their own websites but if it's too sloppy or hard to read then I usually pass up. However, if I like everything but their website I don't give them a hard time. I know not everyone knows how to make a website perfect nor is everyone a computer person. When it comes to sessions with them, I usually try to get a feel after a couple sessions. Yes, the first one can tell a lot but typically it's just going over why you want therapy and in my experience that means talking about everything briefly before going into details. If you're looking for EMDR help, which I have found helpful, that's also a good thing to look for. Even if they have EMDR training yet you don't want to do that, I have found they are usually still a good therapist just because of that extra training. I know there are sites out there that tell you things to look for in a good therapist but everyone is different and sometimes you connect with somebody and sometimes you don't. I hope my rambling helped, even slightly!

[Heather007]

Great questions! Before you even call the therapist go on your insurance company's website and make sure that the individual therapist at their practice address specifically is considered "an in- network provider" for your specific health insurance plan. Depending on your specific health insurance plan you may be in the middle of open enrollment. If so don't forget to also check if they will still be part of your specific insurance plan's 2021 health provider network. My practice is to both look up any potential therapists on my insurance plans website and I also call my insurance company/plan and speak with a live person to confirm if the therapist is currently in or out of network and if they will continue to be an in-network provider for 2021. I note the date the name of the representative I speak with I repeat back the information they've told me to make sure I understand it correctly- I write out what their answer is and before I end the call I ask "if I need to call back in the future about this is there a reference number, an interaction number, may I have your first name and last initial or how will I reference this call to the next customer service representative I speak with?"-- hold on to that information - you'll probably need it later.Of course I also find out what my copay is going to be, if there's a limit on the number of visits for outpatient mental health office visits and prior authorization is required. Due to the 2008 Mental Health Parity Act the answer should be "No" .

This really all boils down to one thing: you,. As in your needs, your preferences and your gut. Doing your research is definitely important as others have mentioned. Sometimes you click with the therapist sometimes you don't. Doesn't mean they're a bad therapist simply means they're not the therapist for you. Therapists are used to and want you to ask questions about how they conduct therapy their experience areas of specialty & asking "what are one or two things that you wish new clients were aware of or knew when looking for a therapist and/ or starting therapy"

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most widely used therapy modalities. It effectively treats a wide range of different issues. One of the most important factors in therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship/ therapeutic alliance between the therapist and you.

You may also want to check if they are a member of their trade association ex. if the therapist is a licensed clinical social worker or LCSW, are they a member of the national association of social workers (NASW)? Not to stir the pot but you can do a license lookup to see if any complaints have been filed with their state board against them. Ex. For a social worker in NC you would go to the NC - national association of social workers website (NC-NASW). I have a few friends who are social workers which is how I know. Lol

Best to you!