How to Find the Best Therapist for You

You’ve struggled for long enough with the stress and constant worry and decided it’s time to work with a therapist. But how do you find a therapist? What’s the first step?It’s not like you’ve done this 100 times before like meeting with your family physician. How do you know who’s good? How can you trust someone you don’t even know?Searching for a therapist can be just as scary as the thought of going on with the issues that have you thinking of getting help in the first place!Here are some tips that will hopefully make the process a little less stressful for you, and help you to find the therapist that fits with your personality and needs.There are two steps when looking for a therapist. Finding potential counselors, and then deciding which to actually work with.

How to find a therapist

At this stage you are casting a wide net just to see who is a possibility for you to work with. To do that, you first need to consider what criteria is important to you.

Financial

Is it important to find someone who is in-network with your insurance, or are you willing to consider a private pay therapist who will help you get reimbursed through out-of-network benefits? If you want to stay in-network, then you’ll just want to double check with any potential therapist that they accept your specific insurance.

Insurance companies are making it increasingly difficult for therapists to join their networks, or they regularly lower their reimbursement rates or make it difficult to obtain reimbursement, so many therapists are choosing to go “out-of-network.” Disclaimer: I am an out-of-network provider.

What that means for you is that you pay the therapist’s fee at the time of your appointment, and they provide you with a “superbill” that you submit to your insurance company. Many insurance companies will reimburse at least some of the cost. To know for sure how your insurance company handles out-of-network reimbursement, follow these steps:

A) Contact your Insurance Carrier

1) Ask the insurance provider if you have coverage for outpatient mental health psychotherapy and related mental health benefits. For individual psychotherapy, the code is CPT code 90837.

2) Ask: Does a deductible need to be met, and has it been met?

3) Ask: Is Pre-authorization required? If so, try to obtain this phone number before meeting with your therapist.

4) Ask: Is approval or a referral required by a medical provider?

5) Ask: What is the amount of coverage for an out-of-network provider? This will likely be a percentage number.

6) Ask: Is there a time limit for submission of claims?

7) Ask: Where should my claims be mailed?

Also regarding financing, you want to ensure that you can afford weekly session for 1-2 months before moving to every other week. That frequency is necessary at the outset of treatment to ensure progress is made.

Specialist vs generalist

Is it important to work with someone who is a specialist in your area of concern, or would you be okay working with a generalist? I’m going to be honest here, research shows that a trusting relationship with a therapist where you can be open, honest, and feel supported is the most important aspect for feeling better. That being said, a strong relationship with someone who is an expert at your specific concern is optimal.

Certain issues truly do benefit from working with a specialist. Addiction, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder) are among the conditions that have unique qualities that a generalist will likely not handle as well as a specialist. A good therapist should communicate with you from the very beginning whether they are qualified to help you, or if it would be better to refer you to a different provider.

Please understand that a referral is intended to connect you with the therapist that can best help you improve, and NOT an indication of you being broken or undesirable. I want you to feel better and if I can help, I will, but if I can’t, I will provide you the names of people I think can help!

Location

How far are you willing to travel to meet with the perfect counselor? Are you okay with meeting a therapist virtually? If you’re in a rural area, or seeking a specialist for a certain condition, it may be difficult to find someone that’s only a short drive away. For some people it’s important to be able to meet with their therapist face to face, and then you’ll need to decide if your schedule can accommodate the extra driving to meet with your best fit.

Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for most mental health concerns. What this means is that you have options across your entire state! While some online therapists practice over e-mail or text message, most use video technology similar to Skype or Facetime. I’ve found that the technology has not caused any problems with developing a strong relationship, and can be far more convenient for patients with busy schedules.

Making a List of Counselors

Now that you have your basic criteria, you need to actually get some names!

• Friends who have had positive experiences with their counselor

• Ask your primary care provider who they recommend

• Contact your insurance company

• Online directories

  • A benefit of online directories is you can input some of the criteria discusses earlier to narrow down your search (e.g., online therapy available, specific insurance, location, etc.)

  • www.psychologytoday.com

  • www.goodtherapy.org

  • www.beingseen.org

  • www.onlinecounselling.com

  • www.openpathcollective.org (providers agree to see patients for between $30-$50/session)

Website Review

Once you have a few names to consider, you want to spend some time seeing what you can find about them. Most therapists these days have an online presence either on social media or a website. Take a look at what you can find and get an idea of the counselor’s personality and whether it seems like it may be a good fit for you. While you might not be able to tell if someone is “the one,” you may be able to cross some people off your list if their online material rubs you the wrong way.

Free Consultations

Now that you’ve narrowed down your list even further, you’ll want to take advantage of free consultations. Most therapists offer between 15-30 minute free consultations. What you can expect on these phone or video chats is for the counselor to ask questions to try and understand what your concerns are.It’s also a chance to ask any specific questions you have about the therapist or therapy in general, as well as insurance, fees, etc. During the meeting, you should get an idea of whether the therapist’s style is a fit, and if they have the experience to help you.Good therapists don’t just accept anybody who calls, he or she should also be evaluating whether they are the best person to help you, or if you would most benefit from a referral to a colleague.At the end of this session, you and the counselor decide whether to schedule an intake session, or if you should pursue other options. It’s okay to tell the therapist you’re still looking, and you’ll schedule at a later date if you choose! There are no obligations at this point to schedule.

The Intake Session

Once you’ve called around, had several free consultations, and decided who you feel is the best fit therapist, it’s time for the intake session. This session will be similar to the consultation in that it’s primarily geared towards gathering information about you, your background, and your primary concerns. It’s also still a chance for you and the therapist to evaluate “goodness of fit” in personality and experience.I encourage you to be honest with yourself about whether or not you feel a connection. As I said earlier, a strong relationship is the best predictor of success in therapy. If you just don’t click, it’s okay not to schedule again. In that case you may want to ask for a copy of the written intake evaluation so you can provide it to your next option counselor (this is not necessary, but can make it quicker and easier to get into actual therapeutic work).As a psychologist, I want everybody to get the optimal treatment for them. I never take offense if they choose to change providers after our first session, and I am more than happy to provide options if requested!Deciding to start therapy is a difficult decision. It requires you to admit that you need help. It means you have to become vulnerable and open up to a “stranger.” Any therapist you communicate with should demonstrate that they recognize this difficulty, and that they respect you for it.You are choosing to make an investment in yourself. It’s no different from meeting with a personal trainer to improve physical health. Even just taking the step of researching counselors and reaching out to ask for help is moving yourself in the right direction. You deserve to feel mentally strong, and working with a therapist can help you reach that goal!If you have any questions for me, please either call 727-498-1809, or e-mail kevin@hydepsychology.com. I also offer free 30 minute consultations if you’re ready to take that step. Here’s to wishing you the best on your journey of finding the right therapist!

Low back pain

This may not seem like a topic that a psychologist would traditionally be blogging about, but that is exactly why I am choosing to do so. At any given time, 31 million Americans are experiencing low back pain. It is among the most common reasons for missing work and accounts for $51 billion in spending each year. Anyone who has ever dealt with low back pain can tell you it has a significant negative impact on overall quality of life (e.g., enjoyment of time with family, ability to participate in activities etc.). Struggling each day with low back pain can also lead to struggles with depression and anxiety. Most people seek treatment from their primary care physician, and they are often disappointed in the results because there is no easy fix. As a psychologist who has worked in a primary care setting, I have seen the benefits of helping address mental health concerns arising from chronic pain in conjunction with medical treatments.You may have heard something on the news over the last few years about the opioid epidemic. People becoming addicted to prescription pain pills, escalating to seeking out illegal drugs like heroin, and far too many overdose deaths. When we hear or read stories like that, it’s easy to think of it as somebody else’s problem, that it won’t affect us or people we know. Sadly, in this instance, that just isn’t the case. Because of the prevalence of chronic pain disorders in our country, of which low back pain is one example, many doctors have been pushed by the pharmaceutical industry to offer opioid pain medications (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, fentanyl etc.) as a treatment option. Unfortunately, study after study shows that these pain medications are not intended to be used for chronic disorders and end up more likely to cause addiction issues than to alleviate suffering or improve quality of life. That is not to say they are ineffective for everybody, and I encourage you to work closely with your physician to determine the best course of medical treatment for your specific situation. But that brings me to why a psychologist is interested in low back pain. Please watch this video and then continue reading below:  I’ve included a video I feel does a good job explaining some of the less discussed aspects of coping with low back pain. As much as every helping professional would love the ability to wave their hand and make all pain and suffering disappear, most of us were not blessed with that ability by God (still praying that it comes someday!). My job as a psychologist working with patients suffering with low back pain is to help them identify their values (e.g., the important aspects of living their life), recognize how various pain levels affect their ability to function, and collaboratively develop a plan for being able to accept the presence of a certain level of pain and still be able to engage in activities consistent with their values. This combination has been shown to increase quality of life, reduce depressive symptoms, and actually reduce perceived pain levels. I also help people develop skills to reduce stress because increased stress worsens pain. We know our mind and body are inextricably linked, so it just makes sense to have your medical doctor and mental health professional working together to provide you the best outcome possible.

What you can do today

1) Consult with your PCP to understand the medical recommendations/limitations.2) Take time to identify your own personal set of values. This worksheet is one of many available tools you can use to complete this exercise.3) Consider the most important areas that you are not living in line with your values, and what specific steps you can take to move in the direction of these valued living goals.4) Read about activity pacing, and begin to implement your goals in a structured way.5) Notice what thoughts or beliefs you have about yourself, your life, and your progress, and consider whether they are helping or hurting your goals.6) Evaluate what is working and what is not working, and develop new action steps to overcome unforeseen challenges.7) If you're successfully living a more value-consistent life at this point, then enjoy it and carry on! If you continue to experience the depression, anxiety, or guilt, consider reaching out to a mental health provider who can walk along side you on your journey.If you have any questions, or are interested in scheduling a free 30 minute consultation to discuss what this might look like for you, shoot me an email, give me a call 727-498-1809 or schedule today. You do not need to continue this struggle alone!

Why online therapy?

Online therapy. E-therapy. Telemental health. However you describe it, it’s not the first thing that jumps to mind when most people think of therapy.They might know of Freud, think of laying down on a couch, or maybe they picture the typical cozy office space that most therapists utilize.With the prevalence of digital devices over the last 5 to 10 years, it may come as no surprise that some pioneering therapists decided to ask, “can I use this technology to help patients?”Researchers were up to the task of investigating that question, and they have primarily found it to be equally effective to its face to face counterpart for many mental health diagnoses.So what are some reasons someone would choose to use online therapy instead of visiting an office?

Convenience

We all lead busy lives, and many would say they spend too much time in the car.After having 2+ hour commutes when I lived outside of Washington, DC, less time in the car was certainly a priority for me when we moved to Florida.After commuting to work, running errands all day, or carting the kids to soccer practice, who wants to spend more time in the car to visit their therapist?Technology allows sessions to happen in the comfort of your own home, in your car (NOT while driving!), or even on your lunch break, It’s much easier to squeeze 45 minutes into your schedule without needing to account for the drive time.

Access

For those who live in heavily populated areas, like Pinellas County, this may not be an issue as there are many therapists to choose from.Unfortunately, those people who live further out are forced to choose either a long drive to meet with someone, or possibly just forgoing treatment altogether for lack of options.Online therapy opens up access to therapists from anywhere across the state.

Confidentiality

The things patients choose to share in therapy are intimate and deserve to be kept absolutely secret.With in-person treatment, patients may have concerns about running into someone they know in the waiting room, or what to say if they meet their therapist out in public.With online treatment, there is no waiting room, and you can choose a therapist hundreds of miles away if you never want to see their face in public.When choosing an online therapist, make sure they are using a HIPAA compliant service (not Skype), to ensure maximum confidentiality on the technology end.

Different from Face to Face

I was skeptical at first because there is so much that comes from being in the room with someone.When I meet with a patient in my physical office, I can see their nonverbal reaction to our discussion, or I can provide a comforting touch when needed.While some of this is lost online, I’ve found that it’s absolutely possible to develop a strong therapeutic relationship, and there are even some benefits.Being “with” a patient in their house can provide them a sense of comfort they never would find at my office.It also allows for treatment to happen in their “real world,” so the things we discuss in therapy can carry over more easily into their daily life.Additionally, instead of coming up with a helpful task to do after session,I can be there while a patient walks through the process of doing the task, helping them address any obstacles that may arise.The more I’ve learned about online therapy, the more excited I’ve become to add it to my own practice.If you think it sounds intriguing or you have questions you’d like to discuss, please feel free to send me an e-mail (kevin@hydepsychology.com) or give me a call (727-498-1809). And if you’re ready to take the plunge, set up an appointment for a free 30 minute consultation. I look forward to meeting you!

What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist

I am often asked whether I am a psychologist or psychiatrist. Even after six years of graduate school and becoming a licensed psychologist, there are family members who ask me to clarify the distinction. This is a good example of how most people only have a vague understanding of the mental health field, and that we have a long way to go in our efforts to increase education and reduce stigma. So, what IS the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologist

Let’s start with me. As already mentioned, I am a psychologist. What this means is that I went through four years of intense classroom instruction on mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, autism etc.), various models for treating mental health issues, biological composition of the brain, psychological testing, and standards for ethical practice. While taking classes, future psychologists are also working with patients while under supervision to learn and refine therapy and testing skills. After those four years, the students must go through a rigorous match process to be selected for their one-year internship. Internship often requires moving across the country, and involves a regular 40 hour week working directly with patients in therapy and testing, along with continued supervision. Not to mention somewhere along the way, they need to squeeze in completing a dissertation! After internship is complete, only then will the student be considered a doctor. However, they are still not able to use the term “psychologist” until they complete another supervised year of practice (post-doctoral residency), and pass both a national licensure examination and a state specific test of laws and regulations. Once licensed, psychologists are able to practice independently and provide therapy, testing, and consultation services.

Psychiatrist

Psychiatry is another specialty within the mental health field. It is very common for psychologists and psychiatrists to collaborate on patient care, to ensure the best outcomes for the patient. To become a psychiatrist, one must first complete everything that is involved with medical school. They begin with learning the general medical knowledge that every medical doctor must know to competently treat patients. They learn anatomy and physiology of the entire body, about the many illnesses that affect us (e.g., cancer, sprains, influenza, seizures etc.), and the proper treatments for those disorders. Somewhere along the way, medical students must decide whether they want to pursue a specialty practice, such as psychiatry or radiology, or if they want to remain a generalist who can serve as a primary care physician. Those who elect psychiatry as their specialty begin to focus on patients with mental health disorders and providing the best research supported medical treatment. In many cases, this involves prescribing medication (e.g., Lexapro for depression or anxiety, Seroquel for schizophrenia, Depakote for bipolar disorder etc.). While some psychiatrists also provide talk therapy, most will tell you that another mental health professional can provide more optimal treatment in that arena.In very basic terms, psychologist = talking about making behavioral changes to improve mental health; psychiatrist = medication to improve mental health. While some feel there is a rivalry between the professions, I have nothing but the utmost respect for every psychiatrist I have encountered. For most mental health diagnoses, research indicates that a combination of behavioral strategies and medication produce the best outcomes. Nobody gains anything from unwarranted turf wars, least of all the people who need us most, our patients. I am more than happy to speak with your primary care provider or psychiatrist if you feel it would improve your care.For a free 30 minute consultation, schedule today!For additional information:American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychiatric Association