COPING WITH COVID: 10 Tips for Finding a Therapist Online
There’s no question that 2020 will go down in history as one of the most challenging years of our lifetimes. A global pandemic, national politics and local closures have all carried a heavy weight. But it’s the personal struggles that often go unnoticed or unspoken. Some feel overwhelmed with balancing work and family commitments without the “normal” boundaries that office and school provide. Others, especially those living alone, are struggling with isolation. Depression, anxiety and sleep problems are all on the rise and therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help.
Whether you’re returning to therapy during COVID or trying online therapy for the first time, here are some ideas for how to find and choose a therapist:
ASK A FRIEND. If you know someone who has had a good experience in therapy, ask them for that therapist’s contact information. Get in touch and ask for referrals. While your friend’s therapist may not want to work with you (because of the standing therapist/client relationship with your friend), they should be able to offer some solid recommendations from their network. For additional context, you may also want to familiarize yourself with different degrees(MSW, PHD, MFT, etc.) a therapist may hold and what this tells you about their training and approach.
BRING UP STRUCTURE. Ask how sessions will be structured. Some therapists offer unstructured sessions that follow the clients’ lead; other clinicians provide structure, feedback and direction in each session. Media depictions of the passive, stone-faced therapist are outdated; many modern therapists, especially CBT therapists, are highly structured and communicative.
STATE YOUR GOALS. Let the therapist know if you have a specific concern or goalin mind and find out how therapist will respond to your needs.
TALK ABOUT COST. Discuss fees and payments—what types of payments are accepted? Will the therapist provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement?
ADDRESS CANCELLATIONS. If you have an unpredictable schedule, ask therapist about their cancellation policy. Most will charge the full fee for the session if you don’t give more than 24 hours’ notice of a cancellation.
CONSIDER YOUR TIME. If you would like to weigh the expected financial and time commitment, you can ask how long the therapist usually works with clients. If you have certain needs or expectations about length of treatment, you should let the therapist know. Things change, but I see no reason to avoid a conversation about length of treatment.
UNDERSTAND ONLINE v. IN-PERSON. Consider whether you’d want to continue therapy in-office or remain online post-pandemic. Many therapists have dropped office leases while other services were entirely online to begin with. If you’d prefer to meet in person when safe to do so, check to make sure that the therapist has an office and plans to return. If you’d prefer to stick with teletherapy, check to make sure that the therapist plans to continue offering teletherapy. Logistics matter when you’re scheduling a weekly appointment.
KNOW THE PLATFORMS. Find out more about the platform used for teletherapy and voice any concerns about digital security. Most therapists use HIPAA-compliant teletherapy platforms.
FIND COMMON GROUND. If you prefer to work with someone sharing your own cultural background, whether that’s your ethnicity, gender identity, or socioeconomic experience, we’d encourage you to weigh those factors in your search. At the very least, you could discuss the therapist’s own interest and appreciation for diverse backgrounds.
PREVIEW TREATMENT OPTIONS. If you anticipate needing medication as part of your treatment, you should ask your therapist how they would collaborate with a psychiatrist if need be. With a treatment plan that includes both therapy and medication, providers should plan to communicate and share information as much as possible to promote your well-being and treatment progress.
We hope you find these tips helpful and encourage you to share them with a friend or loved one. If you or someone you know would like to speak with a Therapy Lab Care Coordinator, please click here to arrange a FREE consultation.
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