Are you looking for a therapist in San Diego? The good news is, there are tons of therapists in San Diego! The bad news? Sometimes, having too many options can make finding the right therapist for you that much more difficult. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to simplify your search and help increase the likelihood that the therapist you choose will be a good fit.

Search for a therapist who specializes in what you want to work on

This does not have to be super specific! If you’ve been feeling anxious, try Googling, “anxiety therapists San Diego.” If you’re having issues in your relationship, try Googling, “relationship therapists San Diego.” Sometimes, this simple step can be one of the most helpful ways to narrow down your search and find the right therapist for you.

Of course, feel free to get as specific as you like! But, if you don’t find a therapist while you’re using super specific search terms, try using more general search terms. You can always email or call the therapist to see if they have experience treating your specific concerns. If they don’t, they may know someone who does.

And, if you’re using a therapist search directory like Psychology Today or TherapyDen, take advantage of their filters to search for a therapist who specializes in what you need.

Take advantage of free consultations

Most therapists in San Diego offer a free phone consultation before getting started. I cannot recommend taking advantage of this strongly enough. The phone consultation is a great opportunity to see if the therapist may be a good fit for you before you jump in and get started.

During the phone consultation, ask the therapist about their experience helping people who are struggling with concerns similar to yours. You can also ask them what to expect should you decide to work with them, and go over any questions you may have regarding therapy sessions fees, scheduling, and using insurance.

Search in the right places

If finding a therapist who accepts your insurance is a non-negotiable for you, I recommend starting your search by calling your insurance company and requesting a list of in-network therapists in San Diego. Some insurance companies also offer this information online.

Many therapists in San Diego (myself included) do not work directly with insurance companies, but can provide a superbill to clients who have out of network insurance benefits. A superbill is essentially a monthly receipt for therapy sessions, showing what you paid, the dates of the sessions, and a diagnosis. This can sometimes be submitted to PPO insurance plans for partial reimbursement of therapy session fees (and it may also help you meet your deductible). Call your insurance company directly to clarify what out of network mental health benefits you have.

If you do not have therapy benefits and cannot afford to pay the full fee for therapy sessions, I encourage you to look for a therapist on Open Path Collective. Open Path Collective is a non-profit therapist search engine, where therapists in private practice have opened up a few low fee therapy spots for clients in financial need. It’s a great option, and makes quality therapy more accessible.

Consider being more flexible with your therapist’s office location

So, I completely understand wanting to find a San Diego Therapist if you live in San Diego. There are definitely benefits to working with a therapist who is familiar with the area and culture here. What I think often gets in the way of people finding the right therapist for them is being too narrow in their geographical search. If you find a therapist that’s a great fit for you, is that worth traveling an extra 15-20 minutes, or would you rather meet with a therapist who is closer but perhaps not as good of a fit? My guess is, you want to meet with the therapist who is the best fit for you (and I encourage you to do so). That’s why I recommend looking for therapists throughout all of San Diego County, versus keeping your search limited to your specific neighborhood.

Having a positive outcome in therapy is highly influenced by the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist. That’s why it’s so important to find a therapist who understands you and your concerns and who you feel comfortable meeting with. And, with telehealth options, meeting with a therapist who is located 15-30 miles from you has never been easier. If meeting in-person is essential to you, you can also try alternating in-person and telehealth appointments to make the commute less overwhelming. But, don’t discount the therapist who is located a bit farther away than you’d like them to be.

Finding a therapist in San Diego can be incredibly successful when you know how to go about your search. Search for the specialities you’re looking for, take advantage of phone consultations, search in the right places, and be more flexible in the locations you’re searching to increase your chances of finding a great therapist for you. Do you have additional suggestions for finding a therapist in San Diego? Let me know!