I'm starting to tentatively look around for a new T.

Some questions for you all...

1. Do you see a T that is in-network for your insurance? Do you have any concerns about your information being shared with the insurance company, or with them limiting your sessions (i.e. randomly deciding that therapy's not "medically necessary"?)

2. Did you do anything to pre-screen potential Ts by phone? What did you ask, or look for, in the initial calls?

In the past, I've picked a T, went to see them once, and then made a yes/no decision before trying another T, but this has proven to be really inefficient, so I'd like to screen a handful of them and hopefully improve my odds of finding a good one this time around. I think it would be helpful to pre-screen (since it would be expensive to schedule appointments with LOTS of Ts to try to see who is a good fit).

3. How did you determine that your T was competent and able to help with your issues?! I'm finding that asking them if they think they can help, after one session, is not a good method. Last T was confident he could be helpful, and he really wasn't. T's seem to be pretty over-confident about their skills, and it's really too expensive and time consuming to continue spending a year or more with Ts that can't help.

Any other tips or suggestions? I'm feeling crappy enough that I'm thinking about scheduling a one-off with my old T (who told me he'd be open to that when I left), with lots going on, but I think that's a bad idea for me. I've seen a lot of Ts, and haven't really had a successful T-experience yet. I want to deal with my crap and get my life sorted out, but omg... just finding a good T is such a challenge, for me anyway!

Thanks!!!