Find a Therapist Seattle: Choosing the Best Fit For Your Needs
Find a Therapist Seattle: Choosing the Best Fit For Your Needs
Takeaway: Choosing a therapist is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You deserve to work with someone who’s the best fit for your unique needs, not just any therapist. As a therapist and therapy-seeker myself, I'm deeply aware of the benefits of finding a therapist who you truly connect with. In this guide, I walk you through the process of how to find a therapist in Seattle and give you my top tips for finding someone who’s right for you.
Understanding your mental health needs
Before you fully dive into the process of searching for Seattle therapists, take some time to reflect. What's bringing you to therapy? What kind of therapy do you want? What are you hoping to get out of your experience in therapy?
It's okay if you don't know the answers to these questions right now. It's also okay for you to change your mind during the process. At the same time, having a deeper understanding of what you're looking for can help guide you through your search.
Here are a few factors to consider.
Goals for therapy
Therapy is about so much more than just talking about problems: it's also about helping you reach your goals. Reflecting on what you hope to gain from your therapy experience can help drive you throughout the search. Do you want to heal from painful life experiences? Are you interested in learning healthy communication skills or coping techniques? Getting in touch with your inner self can also help you make the final decision about which therapist you resonate most with.
Type of therapy
I also recommend doing some research on the different types of therapeutic approaches that are available to you. There are tons of options, so you don't need to become an expert on each one. Just look into some evidence-based therapies to get a sense of which ones you're most interested in. Some common examples include psychodynamic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Logistical needs
Logistical factors are another important consideration in the search for a therapist. You'll want to decide whether you're looking for online therapy or in-person therapy, as well as whether or not you plan to use your insurance benefits to help pay for your mental health care. You may also want to start thinking about how and when to make time in your schedule for regular therapy sessions.
Where to find Seattle therapists
Now that you've intentionally reflected on what you're looking for in a therapist, it's time to begin your search. You have a lot of options for therapy in Seattle, and there are plenty of places to connect with prospective therapists. Here are some of the most common ways that people find therapists near them.
Directories
Online directories can put you in front of dozens of therapists all at once. This can be a little overwhelming, but using the filters in these directories can help you narrow down your options. Psychology Today and TherapyDen are some examples of general therapy directories, while Therapy for Black Girls and Therapy for Latinx are more specialized for certain populations.
Search engines & social media
A simple Google search can also help you find therapists. Try a general search like "Seattle therapist" to see your broad options or a more specific search like "anxiety therapy Seattle" for more specialized results.
In our online world, many therapists also use social media as a way to promote themselves and share their knowledge of mental health topics with the general public. You can look for therapists in Seattle using social media—just make sure that whichever therapist you find is actually licensed in Washington state.
Referrals & recommendations
Nothing beats getting a personalized recommendation from someone who already knows you. Many healthcare or helping professionals are connected with other professionals (therapists included) so consider asking your primary care provider, massage therapist, or acupuncturist for referrals. You could also ask people in your personal life if they have any therapists or therapy practices they highly recommend.
Factors to consider when choosing a Seattle therapist
Once you get a better idea of what your options are, you can start to think critically about which Seattle therapists will make your shortlist. Here are some key factors to consider when narrowing down your options.
Specialties & expertise
Some therapists are generalists who treat all kinds of mental health conditions. Others work with specialized populations. For example, I'm a licensed psychologist who helps people with anxiety, perfectionism, codependency, and low self-esteem.
Other therapists might specialize in areas like depression, substance abuse, family therapy, life transitions, group therapy, traumatic brain injury, or even forensic psychology. There is a therapist out there for everyone!
Alignment of logistics
Remember those logistics you thought about at the beginning of your search? They'll come back into play now. When scouring the directories and sifting through Google results, make sure that the therapists you're looking at align with your logistical needs.
Are they licensed in Washington state? Do they offer online or in-person therapy (whichever you prefer)? If you're looking for specific credentials (like a psychologist or a marriage and family therapist), do they have those? Make sure these match up before reaching out for a consultation.
Therapeutic connection
The relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important components of effective therapy. You can get a sense of a therapist's "vibe" based on their website or directory profile, especially if they have a video intro. But it takes actually talking with them to get a better sense of whether you truly connect. To do this, you'll want to schedule a free consultation, which we'll talk more about in a moment.
Making the final decision: Choosing the best Seattle therapist for your situation
Hopefully, these considerations have helped you find a few therapists in Seattle who you feel excited about working with. You're so close to completing your search! These final few steps will help you nail down which mental health provider is right for you.
Schedule a free consultation
Most therapists offer free consultations that are typically between 10 and 30 minutes long. During an initial consultation, you can ask the therapist questions about the process, logistics, their approach, and how they can help you. You'll also want to tell them a little bit about why you're seeking therapy at this time. I recommend scheduling consultations with a few different therapists so you can make an informed decision.
Read reviews & testimonials
Either before or after your consultations, you can also read online reviews about your potential therapist. Their website might even have a section for testimonials. While it's up to you to make the decision that feels right for your situation, it can help to hear about other people's experiences.
Reflect on how you feel
Most importantly, get back in touch with those goals and values we talked about at the beginning. What is your heart saying? While choosing a therapist can feel vulnerable and even a little scary, you can trust your intuition. It's vital to find a therapist that you feel comfortable working with, so make sure the person you choose is someone you really connect with.
Remember, your decision doesn't have to be permanent.
It can also help to remember that the therapist you choose now doesn't have to be your forever therapist. Like any relationship, you can end it if it's not working for you. I recommend attending more than one therapy session to decide whether or not you've chosen the best therapist for your needs, but ultimately, you can make a change whenever you feel you need to.
Find out if I'm the right therapist in Seattle for you
Hi, I'm Dr. Ann Krajewski. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist, and I'm passionate about helping adult individuals who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, co-dependency, and low self-esteem.
Typically, my clients are people whose life circumstances make it seem like they "have it all together," but they're drowning on the inside. Together, we can get to the root of your struggles and help you find confidence and peace. I take an in-depth approach to therapy so you can find deep, lasting healing and live a happier, more fulfilling life.
If you're interested in starting therapy and want to get a better sense of whether I'm the best therapist in Seattle for your needs, I encourage you to schedule a free consultation. I look forward to connecting with you and hopefully supporting you on this journey!
