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Basic InformationMore Information Someone to Talk to Truth, Effectiveness, and Mental Health: Part ThreeA first-impression review of the new HBO series 'In Treatment'Aiming AttentionAn Interview with Bruce Ecker, M.A., L.M.F.T., on Coherence TherapyAn Interview with Bruce Ecker, MA, on Memory Reconsolidation and PsychotherapyAn Interview with Jon Frederickson, MSW, on Experiential Psychodynamic PsychotherapyAn Interview with Joshua Lerner, MA, LCSW, on the History of Object Relations TheoryAn Interview with Kirk Schneider, Ph.D., on Existential Humanistic PsychotherapyAn Interview with Leslie Greenberg, PhD, on Emotion-Focused TherapyAn Interview with Wilma Bucci, Ph.D., on Psychoanalysis and Cognitive ScienceAsleep at the WheelB.F. SkinnerBehaviorismBrainless, Then MindlessChoosing the Right Mental Health TherapistCognitive TherapyCommon and Mature Defenses, and BeyondConsidering the ConsequencesDBT is Too Complicated: A Common Misconception about Dialectical Behavior TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Self InjuryEmotions Myths: What Do You Believe About Your Emotions?Empathy and Therapeutic RapportEye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)Falling In Love with the Therapist: Erotic Transference and PsychotherapyGestalt TherapyGetting Rid of Painful ThoughtsHealing, Is It Just a Matter of Medication? Helping People to Mature: Robert Kegan and Psychotherapy (Commentary on 'In Over Our Heads')Humanistic PsychologyList of PsychotherapiesMany Voices; One SelfMental Health and the Legacy of Sigmund FreudMindfulness Skills in Dialectical Behavior TherapyMuddling ThroughObject Relations Theory 101: All the World's a StageOperating the Creature You InhabitOrdinary TrancePerson Centered PsychotherapyPsychiatric Restraints: Physical and FigurativePsychoanalysisPsychodynamic Group PsychotherapyPsychodynamic PsychotherapyPsychotherapy and Pseudoscience: Five Indicators of Dubious TreatmentsRational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)Research on Self-Help/Mutual Aid GroupsSalience and SuggestionShameShould Psychotherapy Embrace the Arts?Sigmund FreudSuggestionSwiss Psychiatrist Fights Fear with LSDThe "Fallen" Realities of Human NatureThe Gross Distortion of "Scientifically Validated" Mental Health CareTimeline of PsychotherapyTruth, Effectiveness, and Mental Health: Part OneTruth, Effectiveness, and Mental Health: Part TwoVirtue and ChangeWill and the Competitors for Your AttentionWise Counsel Interview Podcast: Myrna Weissman, Ph.D. on Interpersonal PsychotherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Alan Rappoport, Ph.D. on Control-Mastery TheoryWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Annie Fahy, MSW on Motivational Interviewing Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Becky LaFountain, Ph.D. on Adlerian Psychology and PsychotherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Dr. Jürgen Kriz on Self-Actualization and Person Centered PsychotherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Fern Cohen, Ph.D. on whether Psychoanalysis is DeadWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) TherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Jeffrey Young Ph.D. on Schema TherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with John Clarkin, Ph.D. on Transference-Focused TherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Jonathan Engel, Ph.D. on the History of American Psychotherapy - Part 1Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Jonathan Engel, Ph.D. on the History of American Psychotherapy - Part 2Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Laris Macpherson on the Therapy Client's ExperienceWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. on Dialectical Behavior TherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Natalie Rogers, Ph.D. on Expressive Arts TherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Otto Kernberg, MD on Transference Focused Therapy Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Raul Moncayo, Ph.D. on Lacanian PsychoanalysisWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Richard Shulman, Ph.D. on Volunteers in PsychotherapyWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Shinzen Young on Mindfulness MeditationWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Steven Hayes, PhD on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Latest NewsQuestions and AnswersLinks |
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Choosing the Right Mental Health TherapistSAMHSAWhy is this choice so important?
Therapy is a collaborative process, so finding the right match-someone with whom you have a sense of rapport-is critical. After you find someone, keep in mind that therapy is work and sometimes can be painful. However, it also can be rewarding and life changing.
Can a therapist share what I have said during therapy?
You can rest assured that all mental health professionals are ethically bound to keep what you say during therapy confidential. However, therapists also are bound by law to report information such as threats to blow up a building or to harm another person, for example.
What are the steps for choosing a therapist?
- See your primary care physician to rule out a medical cause of your problems. If your thyroid is "sluggish," for example, your symptoms-such as loss of appetite and fatigue-could be mistaken for depression.
- After you know your problems are not caused by a medical condition, find out what the mental health coverage is under your insurance policy or through Medicaid/Medicare.
- Get two or three referrals before making an appointment. Specify age, sex, race, or religious background if those characteristics are important to you.
- Call to find out about appointment availability, location, and fees. Ask the receptionist:
- Does the mental health professional offer a sliding-scale fee based on income?
- Does he or she accept your health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare?
- Make sure the therapist has experience helping people whose problems are similar to yours. You may want to ask the receptionist about the therapist's expertise, education, and number of years in practice.
- If you are satisfied with the answers, make an appointment
- During your first visit, describe those feelings and problems that led you to seek help. Find out:
- What kind of therapy/treatment program he or she recommends;
- Whether it has proven effective for dealing with problems such as yours;
- What the benefits and side effects are;
- How much therapy the mental health professional recommends; and
- Whether he or she is willing to coordinate your care with another practitioner if you are personally interested in exploring credible alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.
- Be sure the psychotherapist does not take a "cookie cutter" approach to your treatment-what works for one person with major depression does not necessarily work for another. Different psychotherapies and medications are tailored to meet specific needs.
- Although the role of a therapist is not to be a friend, rapport is a critical element of successful therapy. After your initial visit, take some time to explore how you felt about the therapist.
- If the answers to these questions and others you come up with are "yes," schedule another appointment to begin the process of working together to understand and overcome your problems. If the answers to most of these questions are "no," call another mental health professional from your referral list and schedule another appointment.
What is the difference between psychiatrists and clinical social workers?
Two kinds of therapists warrant special note: psychiatrists and clinical social workers. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication. Clinical social workers are trained in client-centered advocacy and can assist you with information, referral, and direct help in dealing with local, State, or Federal government agencies. As a result, they often serve as case managers to help people "navigate the system." Clinical social workers and many other mental health professionals cannot write prescriptions. However, nurse practitioners that specialize in psychiatry and mental health can prescribe medication in most states. And, under a new law, psychologists in New Mexico can prescribe medications after receiving training (New Mexico State Legislature, 2002). For more information:
For information on finding services in your area, write, call, or e-mail SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center. The Center can also provide you with a list of community mental health centers and hospitals that provide psychiatric services in your State.
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center P.O Box 42557 Washington, DC 20015 Telephone: 800-789-2647 Fax: 240-747-5470 (TDD): 866-889-2647 E-mail: info@mentalhealth.org http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
Other Referral Sources
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
Telephone: 703-838-9808
Fax: 703-838-9805
www.aamft.org
American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-2303
Telephone: 703-385-6967
Fax: 703-352-7725
E-mail: info@aapc.org
www.aapc.org
American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209-3901
Telephone: 703-907-7300
Toll Free: 888-357-6850
www.psych.org
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
1555 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 515
Arlington, VA 22209
Telephone: 703-243-2443
Fax: 703-243-3390
www.apna.org
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Telephone: 800-374-2721
Fax: 202-336-5510
www.helping.apa.org
National Association of Social Workers
750 First Street NE, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002-4241
Telephone: 800-638-8799 or 202-408-8600
Fax: 202-336-8310
E-mail: info@naswdc.org
www.naswdc.org
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Telephone: 703-684-7722 or 800-969-NMHA (6642)
Fax: 703-684-5968
www.nmha.org
Psychology Today
115 E. 23rd St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: 212-260-7210
www.psychologytoday.com
Note: These are suggested resources. This is not meant to be a complete list.
SAMHSA
KEN98-0046
04/03
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