[brillskep]

I'm curious, how did everyone else choose their T?

Personally I'm in therapy with someone I got to know from a short-term group he held. But I am aware this is not how the choice usually happens.

[IndestructibleGirl]

I had met up with an ex-lover to say we were finished, and he muttered that he was worried about me (he witnessed my health anxiety gone into overdrive, as well as some self-destructive hardcore partying behaviour) and had been talking to his therapist about me, and she had agreed to see me, did I want her card? I got on my high horse and said NO WAY! I always say it was like a scene from a Woody Allen movie But then googled her name a couple of days later (I really respected the ex-lover's judgement, and we're friends again now) and called, and she offered me an appointment that evening. Thought she was good from the off

I started with my insurance list and chose him because was conveniently located and I trusted his credentials more than the others on the list. Worked out well for me.

I was referred by my mental health nurse and at the time my nurse said she had a great reputation and was very experienced, She was right.

My previous T recommended him as a psychiatrist, so the first three times I saw him it was in his capacity as a pdoc. I found him easier to talk to than my then-T from the outset, so when I terminated with her, I started going to him for therapy. He also manages my medication, but that's a very minor part of our contact.

[Jordy]

I didn't want to see my GP anymore for meds as he wanted me to stop taking Prozac. I asked for an appointment at a free mental health centre and explained my situation. A week later I had an appointment with a Pdoc who also did T. After the initial session I felt really understood for the first and I'm still with her now, even though she moved to a private practice.

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[unlockingsanity]

The first time around, I found a place that had multiple therapists and simply asked for someone who would fit into my work schedule and who was the appropriate gender.

Second time, I was placed with a therapist through my school.

Last time, I was referred from another therapist.

[refika]

I googled therapists in my area. Found a bunch, looked at their pics and websites and made a short list of ones I would call. I picked the one who answered the phone and had the first available appointment. We hit it off during the first session so I stayed with him. It's been a year now and I'm still working with T.

[stopdog]

I looked on the internet - psych central, therapy tribe etc for someone was the right age, gender, and sounded not super nuts themselves for the first one. The second one was a referral from partner's therapist.

Somewhat ironically...
I needed a new t and my group therapist recommended himself. I didn't trust him so he recommended my current t because she does a lot of shame work and Brenė Brown work. It's ironic because my group t is ignorant about the work and never wanted to hear about my progress which has been considerable. Ultimately not trusting him was not my issue but my instinct so I dumped the group. Kept the t.

I have become very cautious about drs and t's. I ask a lot of questions about their philosophy before hand. I have had too many bad experiences.

[Daeva]

Referral from my college advisor

[critterlady]

My previous T (who was moving out of state) recommended him. Although, come to think of it, I'd known about him before, since I pass his office every day on my way to my office. I used to see his name and wonder what he was like.

Everything I learned about him from reading his published work was as ideal as could be. After I met him, I really liked him.

[purplemystery]

I was placed with mine at my college's counseling center because she had an opening and fit my schedule.

[NWgirl2013]

Looked for one on my insurance list that specialized in chronic pain & the accompanying ills...

[DelusionsDaily]

I needed a new T as it wasn't working out with my old one. Did an internet search and found someone I knew because she had done my intakes at the hospital. I scheduled an appointment with her and haven't looked back since.

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[A Red Panda]

I wanted medication, so got a referral to the pdoc. At that appointment there was also a mental health worker present. He's now my T. I was assigned him and didn't want therapy at all. But now he's here and I value his input more than the pdoc's. I chose to stay with him because I got a good gut feeling about him.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Couldn't wait for the T at my pdoc's to become available. So contacted the local crisis line and requested a therapist who accepts my insurance. I was given 3 names. I looked them all up on the internet. First two looked scary and mean. Last one looked nice, but very young. Gave the last one a shot...been with her since.

[pmbm]

1) college counseling center. Then she moved to her own private practice the year I graduated and I followed her there.
2) #1 looked for an EMDR therapist for me and found this lady. EMDR lady became my therapist. Then Emdr lady joined the Peace Corps and introduced me to
3) this one. Whom I finished what I thought I needed to and stopped going.
4)About 10 years later, I got triggered in a big way, and my best friend recommended her.
5) not done with #4, but I had a hard time with her for awhile and went to #5, recommended by another friend, to work out some adult issues and get help in wrapping my head around transference with #4

#4 recommended the psychiatric nurse practitioner who prescribes my medication.

[likelife]

A friend had seen her 8 or 10 years ago and recommended her to me.

[brillskep]

Wow, so many different answers, some pretty detailed too. Thank you everyone!

[LadyShadow]

Thought I would add my own on here.

I met my T in the day program I was sent to after I was released from the Mental Hospital.

I was assigned to the program in order to be released, almost sort of a mandate. I was scared and alone and my T really helped me get through everything.

Its been 7 years and I still see him.

[Ambra]

My first T referred me on to her after 4 sessions. But since we had a bad relationship I didn't trust her referral and didn't call her until I was doing really horrible. But it turned out to be the best thing I've ever done for myself.

[Leah123]

I decided to do therapy online because the therapists offered lots of availability including weekend and evening hours, so I could have a mix of set appointments and sessions when I wanted them.

I went to LivePerson.com where I'd spoken to a counselor a couple times in the past, just as one-time things. I submitted an anonymous request to all the Mental Health professionals there explaining my circumstances and what I was looking for, and about twelve counselors sent replies regarding how they could help me and their qualifications. I was also able to review their credentials, rates, client reviews, specialties, and photos. From those dozen replies, I chose my awesome therapist.

[willowbrook]

He chose me actually. My GP referred me to a mental health crisis assessment service a couple of years ago when I was going through a really unstable period (mostly with depression, psychotic symptoms, and SI). Had an initial assessment done by a MH nurse and social worker, then got referred onto one of the resident in training Pdocs for further follow up. It was decided that although it was felt that I did need therapy in the longer term, I wasn't 'acute' enough for their particular service to help me as they deal with the management of immediate and severe MH crisis and emergencies. I didn't think I'd hear anymore from them, but a couple of days later I got a call saying that their lead clinician had seen my file and was very interested in my case and would I like to come back in for an appointment. I've been seeing him ever since.

He's a Pdoc who does Psychotherapy as well as CBT and mindfulness based techniques. He's the best therapist I've ever seen, I'm so glad he decided to take me on.