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How To Find Correct Therapist

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Vedhavalli, Mar 3, 2022.

  1. Vedhavalli

    Vedhavalli Platinum IL'ite

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    How to find a correct therapist
    What to look for while finding a therapist
    Fees, duration, homework, cbt, reviews, ratings etc.
    I have 0 knowledge on these.
    Majorly looking for anxiety and inner child healing.
    Seeking help to improve myself.
    Tagging my dears @anika987 @Rihana @Laks09 @DDream
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2022
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  2. Laks09

    Laks09 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    @Vedhavalli - Thank you for the tag! I’m
    not sure if my suggestions are what you are looking for. Ignore if it doesn’t apply to you.
    A good starting point is your Dr. A PCP has a list of professionals they refer patients to. Another is your insurance. They have a list of therapists or counselors in network. For anxiety, I would look at a someone certified in cognitive behavior therapy, but that’s just my thought. I’m sure there are therapists who work well without using CBT techniques. I think it’s a good idea to first of all make a list of what you would like to achieve from this therapy. You will be asked in the first session for your goals from therapy and writing it down will give you time to think about it beforehand. You can always add to it later if you feel it’s working for you.

    A good fit is important when you look for a therapist. If the first person is ill suited for you, try someone else. While you are looking for therapists, if you have the opportunity, call and ask if they have the relevant cultural exposure. Even if the therapist isn’t Indian, some seem to know.
    I’ve heard of online apps but haven’t tried any yet. I’m told they are as effective and it’s done via something similar to zoom.
    I found one via networking with parents in similar situations. Moms are more open to therapy and moms groups have suggestions from time to time.
    The other time someone wanted one, I asked one of my son’s therapists to post in her local therapists group with the insurance company name and someone responded willing to see her. She had great results from that lady.

    For whatever reason, when I was feeling low a few months ago, none of this gyaan came to mind. I’m going to look up this post and other responses for myself. Thank you for starting this thread!
    Hope my meager points helps in some way!
     
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  3. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    Your insurance company should have a list of people who are in-network. But if you can afford it try casting your net wider. In my area most of the best therapists do not take insurance. You pay them directly and then submit your claim to your insurance for out-of-network benefits.
     
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  4. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    The last time I responded in a thread about finding therapists and seeking therapy, I got scolded very sternly. : ) Good thing I never learn from past experience. : )

    1) Therapy takes at least 6-9 months to try out therapists and start to show results. Decide roughly how much total $$$ you are willing to spend out of pocket. For "anxiety, inner child healing, to improve myself" kind of goals, usually we don't want to spend more than $75-$100 per visit out of pocket. Anyway, decide your $$$ budget.

    2) Learn the difference between psychologist, therapist and psychiatrist, LMFT, LPC.

    3) Check your insurance company website for names of psychologist, therapist etc. Make a spreadsheet with all the names. Settle down on your own couch : ) and call up each one. Most likely, the earliest available appointment will be 6-9 months away or not taking new patients. I also update the spreadsheet with notes like "rude front office." : ) Also, they will take all insurance and DOB info, make us spell out last and first name and email address, and then say no appt till 2023. So, ask about earliest appt first.

    About online therapy (from my post in another thread) --
    Just like other medical services, a provider who is solely online based will be subject to less stringent checks and guidelines. Tele-health is a rapidly growing industry but not yet established enough for strong standards to be applied.

    A few concerns with counselors who are only online could be:
    - Level of confidentiality
    - How long they retain personal information, clinical notes and recordings
    - Can your information be deleted on request. Is this confirmable?
    - What analytics information is gathered and how it is anonymized.

    Based on my research, BetterHelp and TalkSpace tele-therapy are worth a try. 7cups has certain options that others don't have.

    In short:
    It is difficult to find in-network therapy providers. It is a royal pain to get a bill from them and submit to insurance. For general life issues like anxiety, parenting stress, issues with siblings/parents, pandemic fatigue, asserting oneself, getting priorities right, just to sort out jumbled thoughts and feelings, for women who can recognize some psychology terms and social behavior definitions, it is better to start with serious daily journaling and a high quality CBT workshop/program. From the journaling and CBT workshop/videos/worksheets, identify two or at most three things you want to achieve from therapy, and then try online therapy. Don't go for a full-house remodel. : ) If you try to improve many things by therapy, chances are you will get disheartened too soon at the seeming lack of progress.
     
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  5. chanchitra

    chanchitra Platinum IL'ite

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    I am starting counseling next week. So this is how I started.
    Search your insurance with names likeCBT./counselor
    I found therapists with multiple credentials like trauma counseling, ptsd,stress,cbt
    If you want, you can look for an Indian name as well.
    Finally I rounded up on an half Indian CBT with stress/trauma counseling as well.
    We had a phone consultation today. She asked me questions like what kind of counseling I need. Finally we have decided to move forward .
     
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  6. Vedhavalli

    Vedhavalli Platinum IL'ite

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    Where is your house, I'm coming for spring break. Free food, free stay and free therapy!!! I didn't mention parenting stress you caught omg!
    Thanks a ton for understanding and hearing Me out. Will try journaling and CBT and try online therapy. Finding good therapist needs another therapy seems....
     
  7. Vedhavalli

    Vedhavalli Platinum IL'ite

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    Would check on pcp & my insurance. For now will try online therapy
     
  8. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Thanks for this post.
    I have been told my doctor about CBT. I mean cognitive behavioral therapy. I am not sure if you mentioned the same too.
    She told me to start looking for online CBT sessions. But she didn't tell be where should I look for and how.

    Please share if you find any resources for online CBT.
     
  9. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

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    Are these tele therapies include CBT? Any idea Rihanna?
     
  10. chanchitra

    chanchitra Platinum IL'ite

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    Most CBT are doing telehealth sessions now.
     

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