How to Find a Therapist Near You

Are you thinking about starting therapy, but have no idea how to find a therapist near you? Believe it or not, trying to find a therapist is a task that can feel so daunting, many people just avoid starting therapy altogether. But, it doesn’t have to be that way, and I don’t want it to be that way for you! 

Whether you’re looking for a San Diego therapist to see in-person, an online therapist in California, or another type of therapist altogether, here are a few insider tips on how to go about the process with more ease.

Start with a simple Google search

Google is a great resource, but we’ve all experienced feeling overwhelmed by the amount of results it yields, some of which are completely irrelevant. To increase the amount of relevant results you get when looking for a therapist, try getting more specific in your Google search. 

For example, instead of Googling, “therapists,” try searching for, “anxiety therapists near me.” You can even get as specific as searching for “anxiety therapists for young adults in Del Mar.” When you can tell Google exactly what you’re looking for, it helps narrow down the results you have to sift through.

Check out therapist blogs and even Instagram

Are you struggling to get a sense of what it would be like to work with a particular therapist? Check out the blog on their website or search for their professional Instagram account. While these are definitely not the same thing as working together in therapy (side note: social media is never a replacement for therapy), you can get a sense of the areas therapists specialize in from their blog and social media accounts.

Reading a therapist’s blog and checking out their social media accounts is also a great way to get a sense of their personality. And, that can be really helpful when it comes to figuring out whether this is someone you would feel comfortable meeting with or not. (Quick note: while I write my own content for my website, blog, and Instagram accounts, not all therapists do. So, if you’re not sure, just ask them!)

It’s ok to feel discouraged. Don’t let that stop you.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard from so many people that they have reached out to numerous therapists via phone or email only to hear crickets. This is one of the most disheartening things to hear, and I’m really sorry that it is unfortunately a real possibility when looking for a new therapist. You’re allowed to feel disappointed and discouraged if you were ghosted when you reached out to a therapist you wanted to work with.

Don’t let this setback stop you in your search. I can promise it has nothing to do with you personally, and you deserve to work with someone who wants to work with you. Also, it’s ok to reach back out in a couple of business days if you haven’t gotten a response! Therapists are human, and sometimes no response isn’t an intentional ghosting, but rather an honest mistake.

Take advantage of phone consultations

Have you found a few therapists near you, but you just aren’t sure if they would be a good fit? Schedule a phone consultation! Did you know that most therapists offer 15-minute or so free phone consultations to potential new clients? That’s an opportunity for you to talk directly with them, share what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and ask any questions you have about working together. 

If you’re on the fence about starting therapy, I encourage you to take advantage of this option before deciding that therapy is or isn’t for you. Not sure what to ask during a phone consultation? Getting answers to the following questions might help before jumping into the therapy process:

• How frequently do you recommend we meet?

• What is your session fee, and do you take insurance?

• What experience do you have helping other clients with concerns similar to mine?

• How would you describe your style in therapy?

You may be able to expand your search

Are you having a hard time finding a therapist near you? The good news is, many therapists are now offering secure, online video therapy sessions. And, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy in most cases (truly- I even see my own therapist online).

There are many great things about online therapy, including no travel time, more flexibility to see a therapist during the workday, and the fact that you can choose to meet with a therapist who is located anywhere as long as they are licensed in your state. That opens up the possibilities of which therapists you can work with, and might make online therapy the best option for you.

Ask for referrals

Do you have friends or family members who see a therapist they really like working with? If you feel comfortable talking with them about this, consider asking for their therapist’s name and contact information.

While I don’t typically work with the friends and family members of my clients, I am always happy to pass along the names and contact information of other therapists who could potentially be a good match. Therapists are a great source of therapy referrals because they have personal and professional relationships with so many other therapists. And, most therapists genuinely want you to be able to connect with a great therapist because we really believe in the therapy process (that’s why we do what we do!). So, don’t hesitate to reach out via email or phone and ask for some referrals.

Therapy has the potential to not only make your life better now, but also have a positive impact on the rest of your life. Finding a therapist near you can be a challenge, but when you break down finding a therapist near you into more actionable, bite-sized pieces, it’s so much more doable. And, in my opinion, the life-changing benefits of therapy are worth pushing through the difficulties of trying to find the right therapist. Best of luck in your search!