How to Find a Helpful CBT Therapist

[NotErasmus]

I am 52 and although I was only formally diagnosed recently(got 2nd opinion after initial diagnosis) but clearly have had issues my whole life, but was probably not diagnosed because I am “inattentive” not “hyperactive”. Looking for. CBT therapist and would appreciate insight in what I need to be asking.

[STEM_Dad]

The best way that I've found in life to get referrals for a care provider is from people who I know and trust their judgement (i e. "word of mouth").

Unfortunately, most people are very quiet about their mental health struggles and whether they go to therapy.

Lots of counselors and therapists advertise CBT these days, but it's hard to say without giving them a try whether they will actually be good for you.

1) Ask if you can have a free interview call with them.

2) Ask about their approach, and about their experience with CBT.

3) If after the first or second appointment it doesn't feel like a good match for you, then move on.

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So, in my experience, there's not always much that you can do but do your own research and take a chance.

I found a really good CBT counselor once via one of those online referral services (BetterHelp), but that was after I got a really terrible LMFT therapist via the same service. • The good therapist* had no reviews, so I had to read up on him from the site for his current practice and the practice that he had worked at previously...but I didn't find any reviews, only the list of his qualifications. He helped me a lot, more than any other therapist before or since, because he was empathetic, professional, a great listener, and taught me CBT and mindfulness techniques that helped me a lot at the time.

• The bad therapist just before him had lots and lots of good reviews, and only a few bad reviews...but I wish I'd paid more attention to the bad reviews. (He tried to browbeat me into filing for divorce before my wife did, when I came to him for advice about how to try to save my marriage from divorce. A therapist should never take choice away from a client by telling them what to do. The guy also told me a lot of specific details about another client's case, and I thought the was profoundly unprofessional...he even seemed to give off evil vibes, but my head was really screwed up at the time.)

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* The good therapist I had is nearby Boise, ID. I was in northern Idaho at the time, and met with him remotely. If you're in that area, you can PM me for his name, but I just checked his profile and saw that he's not taking new clients at this time.