How to Choose a Mental Health Professional:

1. Gender: do you relate better to a male or female therapist.

2. Specialty:

Psychologists,(Psy.D. and Ph.D.), Licensed Clinical Social Workers,(LCSW's) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC's) do not generally prescribe medications.

They offer a variety of therapeutic appoaches.

Psychiatrists and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications and offer other therapeutic approaches

3. Insurance coverage versus private pay:

your insurance company may dictate whom you may see, or at least whose services they will pay for. Your records are accessible to the insurance company for audits to monitor quality of care issues and billing accuracy.

when you pay privately, your records are secure unless you sign a consent for the therapist to release them.

4. Scheduling:

find out whether your chosen professional has office hours that meet your needs, or whether you will have to take time off work to keep appointments.

5. Payment policies:

what are the therapist's policies for short notice cancellations and no-shows?

Insurance typically will not pay unless service is given. So the costs of these broken appointments will generally be the client's full responsibility.

6. Informational telephone call:

Will the therapist speak with you briefly and answer specific questions you have. Sometimes this is a good way to get a feel for whether or not you wil be able to establish a relationship with the therapist.

7. How did you locate the therapist? Personal recommendations from trusted friends are usually the best and most effective way of ensuring a good 'match'. Other referrals such as insurance companies, professional organizations, etc. may be less useful.

Typically these latter sources are less able to take into consideration your personal needs and how you and the therapist will hit it off.

8. Your need. Are you in crisis, or is this a problem that has been around for awhile? The availability of the therapist for the first and followup appointments will be a consideration in a crisis.

Establishing a Therapeutic Relationship

1. The appearance of the therapist's office. Is it comfortable, attractive, and esthetically pleasing? Are there fragrances or other distractions that would get in your way?

2. The manner in which you are greeted by the office staff:Are you greeted by 'live staff' or do you simply wait for the therapist in a waiting room?

3. How does the therapist gather information? The first visit is generally devoted to gathering information so the therapist can make an accurate working diagnosis.

Particularly if you are thinking of medication treatment, there are specific requirements for documenting history and presenting complaints.

4. Can you negotiate details of treatment with the therapist?Does the therapist have one way of approaching your issues, or does he/she provide you with some options for you to consider?

5. Your gut feeling!! Trust your intuition. Don't judge the therapist too harshly on the first visit, but if you definitely get the feeling that you are not being heard, or respected, find another therapist. Sometimes if you mention your concerns, you can work out the differences, but when you are in a crisis, this is the last thing you want to hassle.

6. Therapist's personal style. All of us have our own personalities and style of relating to clients. Generally we can adapt to the needs of the client, but there can always be exceptions. Most therapists are not offended when clients just don't feel like the relationship is a good fit.

Final Thoughts: How to be a 'Good Client'

1. You must report changes in your conditions accurately, including responses to medications.

2. You need to be on time for appointments, and provide enough time for the therapist to offer your time to someone else if you are unable to keep your appointment. The standard in our community is 24 hours notice.

3. You will need to participate in your treatment plan . Your therapist cannot be more invested in your recovery than you are.

Plan to work, getting well takes energy and commitment. It is your job, as therapists, we are your guides, we walk along side and support you as you do your work.

We would love to hear your comments and suggestions for how we can make this publication more useful for you.If you have the names of therapists you would like to recommend, be sure to let us know. We will be gradually putting together a directory of providers with personal recommendations.

best regards,

Karen