10 Tips for Choosing an Anxiety Therapist

In the United States, more than 40 million people deal with a type of anxiety disorder. You are not alone.

Anxiety can cause you to feel panic and tense which can in turn lower your quality of life. One great way to feel better is to find an anxiety therapist.

Therapists have licenses and training to help you overcome anxiety disorders. They can help you take back your life and feel your best once again.

However, it’s important that you know how to find the right one for you. Read on to learn how you can choose the right anxiety therapist for your needs.

1. Look for an Anxiety Therapist in Your Area

Even though we are in the digital age, finding an anxiety therapist that is near you is a good idea.

Online therapy might be convenient, but creating a relationship in person is better. This way, you’re making a face-to-face connection that will benefit you later.

When meeting in person, you can also get more from the session with no other distractions. That means that your session can be more productive.

Another great benefit to this is that you can make sure that you’re comfortable with them. This can give you a chance to get to know them and view their office. You can get a sense of whether your personalities will work together.

2. Ask About Their Certifications

Licenses and certifications are important when it comes to therapy.

You need to make sure that the therapist that you’ll be working with is properly certified. This should be in therapy or social work. If they can provide you with licenses, that’s a great start!

You should also ask them if they’ve ever worked with other patients that experience the same type of anxiety that you do. This can give you peace of mind that they will be able to help you.

3. Ask Them What to Expect From Each Session

A great way to make sure that you’re comfortable is to ask the therapist what you should expect from a session.

Usually, the therapist will have you come in and tell them about what’s troubling you. They’ll want to know what you’re feeling and may ask you more questions to get to the bottom of things.

The therapist might take notes and allow you to get everything off of your chest. While this might seem intimidating, rest assured that you’re in a safe space that’s free of judgment and your privacy is maintained.

Then, the therapist will provide you with an idea or a solution to something for you to work with.

While this isn’t the exact process for every therapist, it is generally what a session will include. Be sure to get the specifics so that you are comfortable with your therapist.

4. Find Out What Type of Therapy Style They Use

Therapy can be conducted in many different styles. That’s why it is important to be sure of which style your new anxiety therapist will be using.

By asking, you can decide if this is something that you’re open to. Don’t forget that it’s important to be comfortable when receiving therapy.

Often, anxiety therapists have a few different styles that they work with. This means that they could work with cognitive behavioral therapy, but they could also work with dialectical behavioral therapy.

If you’re still not sold, you can ask more questions about each specific style.

5. Ask About Insurance

Your mental health is an important part of your overall well-being. Seeing a therapist is often covered by insurance plans.

You should ask your potential therapist if they can honor your insurance. If not, find out if they can help you file a claim.

This can take one less worry off of your shoulders.

6. Do They Prescribe Medication for Anxiety?

Sometimes, medication can be helpful when dealing with anxiety disorders.

In Michigan, therapists cannot prescribe medication. In this case, you should ask if the therapist will be able to refer you to a psychiatrist. They may only do this if they think you will benefit from medication.

You can find comfort knowing that if you need medication, you can be referred to a psychiatrist. These professionals are licensed to prescribe it.

7. References and Reviews

It’s always a good idea to ask your therapist for references and reviews. This will give you a chance to see the results of their work with others who experience anxiety.

If your therapist has references who are open to speaking with new patients, you can learn a lot by asking them questions.

If you’re comfortable with the answers, then you will likely have a great relationship with your therapist.

8. Ask About the Treatment Duration

Based on what they know about you, ask how long they expect before treatment starts working for you.

If they’ve dealt with the type of anxiety that you have, ask when other patients started to see results. This can give you a good idea of what to expect.

There are many different treatments for anxiety. They can take different lengths of time before results start to show.

9. Evaluation

To make sure that you’re seeing results, it’s important to evaluate your progress.

Usually, your therapist will keep a record of how your progressing. You can ask them if they’ll be open to sharing this information with you in your sessions.

You can also keep track by noting how you’re feeling. Progress takes time, but it’s important to know how you’re progressing.

Talk to your therapist and make sure that they will help you evaluate your results.

10. Have a Session With Them

If you’re satisfied with the answers to the above, then you can have your first session with them.

This will give you a better chance to learn more about each other and see if you’re a good fit. If you are, then you can continue with more sessions and get treatment for your anxiety.

Treat Your Anxiety With A Licensed Therapist

Finding the right anxiety therapist can seem hard, but asking the right questions can make it much easier.

If you’re searching for an anxiety therapist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I offer a 15-minute phone consultation. This is where we can start our patient-therapist relationship. Then, we’ll move into the intake session.

If you’d like to get started, feel free to contact me today and we’ll get you on the road to feeling better.