Advanced Therapeutic Connections

Understanding Mental Health
Learning about Mental Health Care

Description of Issues and Disorders

Specific Information about Children

Starting Services: Helpful Information

Advanced Directive



Choosing a Mental Health Provider

Choosing a mental health provider or therapist is different from choosing a physician for treatment of physical ailments. When people look for a doctor one most often seeks a physician who has excellent credentials and experience in the necessary field. The personality characteristics of the doctor and his/her communication style, while not unimportant, generally play a secondary role in the choice.

Unlike most physician visits, mental health care can involve many hours of one-on-one communication with your therapist and often an ongoing relationship over time. Therefore, choosing a mental health care provider should involve a frank assessment of the therapist's personal and interaction style and how these match with your own personality and needs, in addition to an evaluation of the provider's clinical competence and reputation.

Before you begin selecting a therapist, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you have a preference for a particular type of provider? Click here for a description of some different types of professionals. 

  • Only therapists with certain educational backgrounds and licenses are legally allowed to prescribe medications. Is it important to you that the counselor be legally authorized to prescribe drug treatment if necessary?

  • Would you like to find a therapist who specializes in one particular condition or type of problem?

  • How severe is your condition? In general, the more severe your condition or complex your diagnosis, the more training and expertise you need to look for in a mental health provider.

  • What kind of person are you most capable of talking to about your personal situation? Some factors to consider might include: Gender, Age, Language, Cultural Background, Religion

  • How much time are you willing and/or able to commit to therapy?

  • What kinds of therapy does your insurance cover? Does your insurance cover therapy only by certain types of therapists (e.g., medical doctors)? Must you choose a therapist from an approved provider list? Does your HMO require a referral to a therapist from your primary physician? If not all costs are covered, can you afford to pay the difference between covered costs and actual fees?
Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time will help you to better pick a provider.

Some content courtesy of MedicineNet

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