This page contains information that will be helpful in your search for a therapist. If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please send an email to therapysite@yahoo.com.
Question: What are the different kinds of therapists?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors and they have completed medical school and a residency in psychiatry. They can prescribe medications. For more information, refer to the American Psychiatric Association webpage.
Psychologists have a doctorate in psychology (including Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. degrees) and are licensed to practice in their state. They do not prescribe medication. Psychologists have completed several years of postgraduate supervised clinical training. The American Psychological Association webpage has more information.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers have generally completed a two-year Master's degree in social work. These counselors have some amount of supervised clinical training and are licensed in their state. For more information, refer to the National Association of Social Workers web page.
Marriage and Family Therapists have a Master's degree in Therapy or Psychology, are licensed in their state, and have received supervised clinical training. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy's webpage has more information.
Question: What should I ask a potential therapist?
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Question: How much will it cost?
Several factors influence how much therapists charge, including their degree, their specialty, their geographic location, and how established their practice is. Many therapists offer a sliding scale for clients who may not be able to afford their hourly rate. Psychiatrists often charge an hourly rate of around $200 or above, Psychologists often charge between $80 and $200 an hour, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Marriage Family Therapists tend to charge between $75 and $125 an hour.
Question: Should I use my insurance?
Paying out of pocket has several benefits. One benefit of paying out of pocket is that you do not have any restrictions about the amount of sessions you get and other regulations of insurance companies. Another benefit is that your diagnosis will not appear in your medical record. If you can afford it, paying out of your own pocket to see a therapist in private practice may be the most straightforward approach.
Using insurance is another option for many people. When going through their insurance, people usually find therapists that are on the insurance company's provider panel. If a therapist you want to see is not on a panel, you should see if your insurance has an Out-of-Network benefit. Many insurance plans limit the amount of sessions that they authorize or have a deductible or co-pay that the client is responsible for.
Question: What should I expect in my first session?
Therapists will typically cover the ground rules for the therapy, including fees, length of sessions, how payments work, confidentiality, and some of the legal and ethical guidelines to which they adhere. Therapists also typically conduct an initial assessment in which they ask you questions about the issues you would like help with and relevant history.
Question: Does Therapy Work?
A large study by Consumer Reports published in 1995 suggested that most people are satisfied with their therapy and that it helped people make changes in their lives. Selecting a therapist with whom you are comfortable is an important factor in your overall satisfaction with your therapy.
