Help Me Find a Therapist
Informational page to aid in your search for finding the trauma-informed mental health professional that is just right for you
Tips, Links, & More
Relevant information including links, search tips, things to consider, and what to expect in a search for a trauma-informed mental health professional.
The #1 Thing to Remember
Before beginning your search for a new therapist, for the first time or if you’ve worked with one before, the key thing to remember is…Patience.
This can be a lengthy process that can feel overwhelming. In recent years especially, the mental health system has been overwhelmed and consequently the wait times for appointments can be longer than expected, especially for new clients.
Many offices and private practices do not have receptionists or additional staff outside of the therapist themselves; so waiting to hear back from phone calls or emails can take time.
You may need to reach to out a number of offices and therapy practices until you find one that works for you and has availability. In addition, the first one you find may or may not be a good fit for you. This does not mean you are beyond help or that you are unworthy of getting help; but rather it’s a reminder that this process takes time and that your self-worth is not tied to the length of time or the processes involved in finding the right mental health professional for you.
Search Suggestions
When looking for a trauma-informed therapist or other mental heath professional, it’s important to be as specific as possible. The more refined your search is, the more efficiently you can be matched to a professional who meets your needs.
Whenever possible include the following in your search:
“Trauma-Informed”
“CPTSD, Complex PTSD, C-PTSD, or Complex Trauma”
“Trauma Recovery”
These specific searches will help narrow down therapists who specialize in working with trauma survivors. In addition, many (but not all) mental health professionals who specialize in PTSD can also help with Complex PTSD. It’s important that, when you begin communicating with your new therapist, you specifically ask if they have experience in working with trauma survivors, and if they are aware of and have the training and skills to treat clients with Complex PTSD (CPTSD).
Psychology Today
Psychology Today has a wonderful database of mental health professionals, and is one of the primary resources our team uses to work requests. The search tools available include a variety of filters so you can narrow your search to the therapist that is trained in the areas you are most intereseted in. Additional parameters include the ability to search by location, virtual or local services, modalities, insurance, gender preference, and many more.
The intial screen has a small search box at the top for you to include the location you wish to search in. After that, you’ll be presented with a variety of filters to narrow down your search.
You can also search internationally by changing the country setting at the top of the page.
International Therapist Directory
Psychology Today offers a vast listing of both US and international therapists. Another wonderful resource to try for those outside of the US in particular is the International Therapist Directory.
This resource has counselors and therapists from more than 40 countries, and has similar search options to other databases.
On their main page you’ll see some basic search fields to help get you started, along with some typical searches for services including online, phone, in-person therapy, as well as therapists who are able to travel to your location.
Amwell
Amwell is a large telehealth platform that works to provide quality physical and mental health care on demand, while keeping these services more affordable. It works to accomplish this mission by accepting 126 different insurance plans, offering a quick sign-up process, and providing an easy scheduling system that allows therapy seekers to receive support as efficiently as possible.
Find a Therapist
Find A Therapist connects you with licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.
We understand that seeking help is an important step toward improving your life, but finding the right therapist for you can be overwhelming. That is why we made it easy to search for a therapist in your area.
No account is needed to search for a therapist. You can be assured your privacy is respected and protected while finding the help you deserve.
Our friends at Healthline have currated a list of culture-conscious therapists and resource databases:
Access to culture-conscious therapists is important for your well-being. Here are some resources to consider when looking for a therapist:
The Yellow Couch Collective, an online support group for Black women
Therapy for Black Girls
Black Mental Health Alliance
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the mental health and well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
WeRNative, which provides Native American youth with tools for holistic health and growth, including mental health resources.
Therapy for Latinx
Thanks to our friends at Heathline for providing these additional searchable databases.
Teletherapy, which is therapy done remotely over the phone or via videoconferencing, makes it easy to explore therapy and its options. It’s convenient, and studiesTrusted Source have shown that therapy conducted over video chat can be just as effective as in-person therapy.
Remember, this list is not exhaustive. There are a large number of virtual resources available. It’s important to do research, read reviews, talk to others who have used telehealth services, so you can see what will work best for you.
Therapist Interview Questions
We can provide you with a list containing example questions which can be used when interviewing a new therapist. This typically takes place during the intitial sessions, in person or tele-health. This is the time when you and your potential new mental health professional get aquainted and begin laying the groundwork for how your program will go. These questions are meant to be a guideline, to help get you started, in determining the next steps in a therapuetic relationship. Please contact us to request this information.
