Need new T what do I ask?

I need to find a new T but very fuzzy on how to go about it. First step has to be find out if they carry my insurance.
But after that how do I find a T that is the right "fit" for me?

What questions do I ask? What information do I need to gather to make a decision?

Here are a few articles from Psych Central with some advice on your question:

Finding a Therapist

Questions to ask your Therapist

Interview Your Therapist

I think one of the most important things is whether you can connect with your therapist. You would probably know this within the first 3 sessions. Also, if you need a T with a speciality, for example in trauma or addiction, you might need to ask right away if they do this sort of work when you phone them the first time. Theoretical orientation can also be very important. Good luck!

I would mostly tell a litte of my story and see how the person "feels" to me, how they respond. Other than that I'd just see if they had the degree/training I preferred? But a lot of "technical" things could be checked out before seeing them so I could concentrate on how they responded and whether I was comfortable talking to them. I got my best T from another T I had for group who interviewed me and then suggested I call my T and see her. The other, group T knew me/my situation and was a wise old T :-) so it all worked out well.

After I find out if the T has the right training, I simply start by telling them my story (parts of it). I give them a few sessions to see if our relationship will work out. I think the biggest things I look for are if they have the ability to take care of me and if they "click" with me. Just because you see a T does not mean you have to keep seeing them. You don't have to stick with a T if it does not feel right for you. Its like test driving a car.

I dont know if there are right or wrong questions to ask - its about how it "feels". You really need to feel a connection to your therapist. You need to feel safe and non-judged and feel as if you can say anything that might be on your mind. If you feel standoff-ish or nervous or uncomfortable around him - then its not the right therapist. It truly is a relationship and like any other type of relationship - some click and some dont.

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If you feel standoff-ish or nervous or uncomfortable around him - then its not the right therapist.

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I'm thinking hard about this comment. I've only been to only one T and so I have not shopped around. I'm sure others on PC have more experience in this area but I figured I give my two cents anyway.

I'm about 10 sessions into therapy and am just now starting to settle down. I am still really uncomfortable talking about stuff and am totally out of touch with my own feelings so I have a lot of work ahead of me. After the first few session I was really questioning if I had made a good choice. I've since concluded that I think I would feel this way regardless of who my T is. It is just such a new experience for me. As much as I want and need it, I can't handle the direct attention that you get during a session. This is the first time someone is really listening and paying attention to details. It is incredibly unsettling to me.

I think I feel nervous stand-offish and uncomfortable because that is who I am and how I always feel around people. In my case I don't think is it the T that is the problem. If I can get to a point there I am not feeling this way then I guess therapy was effective.

Also think about what type of therapy would best suit you-- maybe research the different types and try to find a therapist in accordance with a particular theoretical orientation... cognitive, psychodynamic, interpersonal, humanistic, eclectic, etc. Are you looking for long-term or short-term? Think about whether you'd feel more comfortable with male or female-- if it matters at all to you.

Here's a site that talks about types of therapists and therapies: www.guidetopsychology.com. I don't agree 100% with all he says but it's good and it helped me.

Another site I like is an analysts site: http://www.kellerphd.com. She sounds like a lovely T.

I used to search online, too, by typing in therapy, psychotherapy, etc and seeing what came up.

Thank you all for your help. Good solid information and advice.

Again, thank you all so much.

These links were so very helpful to me. I followed nearly all of them and then copy-pasted the questions so i could type my own in. I feel a lot more confident about Monday than i have the 4 other times I started therapy. Thanks!!!

Maybe these links could be pinned at the top, too?
Kiya

I really like this article:

http://www.metanoia.org/choose/index.html