HOW DO I BEGIN? I DON'T HAVE A CLUE!
Are you confused about how to find the therapist for you? Don't feel as though you are alone; finding a therapist is not a simple task, yet it's an important one. Not every therapist and every client are the right match for one another. Each person may not be looking for the same quality or style in a therapist. In addition, therapist's approaches to therapy differ and some people may not fit some approaches. Finally, the personality of the therapist and the personality of the client must be a good fit. Therefore, you should put some time and care into the process of choosing a therapist.

WHERE DO I GET A REFERRAL?
There are many ways to get the names of a therapist. Many insurance companies have the names of therapists on their provider books or websites. However, this does not always tell you much about a therapist, only a few qualities. Also, you can go into directories or websites, such as Psychology Today, which may tell you a little more, yet still does not tell you much about this person. Often, the people in your life who have benefited from a therapist can be a source of referral: friends, colleagues whom you trust, family and other professionals. Also you can ask other therapists for referrals.

HOW DO I MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THE THERAPIST FOR ME?
It is a good idea to try to contact at least two therapists, if not more, to get an idea and a feeling for the differences between them and what you prefer and don't prefer. Some therapists offer a free consultation, while others will set aside some telephone time to talk with you briefly and answer questions. This is not a time to go into depth into your therapy issues. Briefly cover the issues and get to know the therapist. Most often, when people call me, they will say to me "I have no idea what to ask". So I ask if they have questions for me.
The most common question I do hear is "How long have you been doing this? " (I have been working with clients for over twenty years).
Sometimes people will ask, "How much do your clients improve when they are seeing you? "(I have been singled out by some insurance companies I have worked with for having outstanding outcomes; which means that my ratings have been in the highest percentile of improved and satisfied clients.)
When people ask a therapist how they work, therapists will begin to talk in psychological languages that, unless you have studied psychology, may not make much sense to you. There are questions that may help you to get to know a therapist in a manner that may make sense and be meaningful to you. Here are a few great questions that can get you started. (I've also included links to my answers to these questions in paranthesis)