Find a Psychologist: How to Find a Psychologist in 2020
by Dr. R. Austin Heafey · Updated Oct. 29, 2020
Everyone in their life will, at some point, feel overwhelmed or at ends meet.
Unfortunately, many people never seek help during their most troubling times.
There is a stigma that if you seek therapy, it may indicate there is something wrong with you. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The same way you would see a physician when dealing with a broken arm is the same way you should see a psychologist when dealing with mental tribulations.
Just because you can’t see mental distress the same way you can see a bruise doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is up to you to take care of your mental well-being.
That’s why, in this post, we will share the exact steps you need to take to find a psychologist.
We will cover everything from reaching out to a potential psychologist, knowing what to look for, and even knowing if your sessions are working.
How Do I Find A Psychologist?
For many people, this is the hardest part:
There are many ways you can go about finding a psychologist.
The abundance of options may feel overwhelming at times. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you are finding the best options available.
Ask Friends And Family
Asking friends and family is a great place to start.
Not only can you trust their opinions, but they also know you intimately.
So, they will have a better understanding of what issues you may be going through and what you are looking for.
This added knowledge about you can help them point you in the right direction.
Friends and Family Referrals
You may want to use the same psychologist as your friends and family members, but make sure that they actually find their psychologist effective.
You may find that some of them don’t enjoy their psychologist, but they keep going because they don’t want that hurt the psychologist’s feelings.
Some may only continue to see their psychologist because they think it’s better than doing nothing.
If any of these scenarios are the case, then you can try a different strategy.
Use A Psychologist You Already Know
Another strategy you can use is to reach out to a psychologist you already know.
You don’t have to work with them in particular as it may be awkward opening up to someone you know personally.
Still, they can give you a referral to a qualified psychologists.
Be honest about the type of problem you are facing, and any psychologist should be able to point you in the right direction.
Reach Out To Your Insurance Company
If you have an insurance company, reach out to their customer service department.
Your insurance company should be able to suggest psychologists who take their insurance.
This is helpful for finding a psychologist in which you can afford.
Another great option is to reach out to your employee assistance program (EAP) at work.
EAPs are part of the benefits package that many employees get when working for corporations.
It’s another cost effective strategy to receive consultations.
