How to Find a Good Therapist in Tennessee: What to Look For and Where to Begin

Clinically Reviewed by Ami G. Risinger, LPC-MHSP

When you are struggling mentally and are seeking support, it´s crucial to find a therapist who can guide you to recovery and make you feel good about the process. It´s easier said than done, and many find it challenging and wonder how to find a good therapist.

We at Time Wellness Tennessee are here to help you with that. Read out tips on how to find a good therapist, what to look for, and what to pay attention to.   

Understanding Your Needs

Before trying to figure out how to find a good therapist, make sure you understand what you need. Ask yourself questions like, “What concerns me now?” “What would I like to solve?” or “Which aspect of my life do I wish was different?” Self-reflection is a great start, as it can lead to discovering specific issues. That, in return, can help you seek therapists who specialize in certain areas, such as anxiety, depression, or relationship problems.

Self-reflection is not only about identifying the issues but also about discovering what you wish to achieve by going to psychotherapy. For instance, you might be struggling with anxiety, but your goal might be to reduce it on social occasions or to control it in a professional setting.  Knowing your goals can help set therapy objectives. This information can help you by showing what sort of experience you wish your future therapist would have.

Researching Potential Therapists

The next set of tips for how to find the right therapist refers to doing thorough research. While you can (and should) check out the offer online, don´t forget about word of mouth. You can use multiple sources, but there are a few things to consider. 

Firstly, you can investigate online directories or simply google ¨therapist near me¨ and look at reviews. Secondly, you can share with your general physician that you are struggling mentally and ask for their recommendation for a therapist. Finally, you can ask your friends or other people of trust for a suggestion. Keep in mind that an ethical therapist can´t take you as a client if they are already working with someone so close to you that you are being mentioned during their therapy sessions. 

How to Find a Good Therapist: Tips for the Research

Here are a few things to consider when shortlisting therapists:

• Licenses and certifications attest to their professional training and recognition by appropriate institutions.
• Years of experience and professional background. If you are considering someone who did not come through a direct referral, it might be better to look for someone with a background in psychology or psychiatry who´s been working as a therapist for a while. 
• Specializations and areas of expertise can be good input when you know your issues and have an idea of your therapy goals. For example, if you are looking for bipolar disorder treatment in Tennessee, you will want your therapist to have experience treating someone with bipolar disorder.
• The therapist’s approach and how it aligns with your preferences. There are various approaches to psychotherapy (behavioristic, humanistic, psychodynamic, etc.). Some are better for resolving acute maladaptations, some for deeply rooted issues. They also imply different work styles, and you might feel more comfortable with one than the other.

Evaluating Compatibility

Even with all this information, it´s difficult to choose right away. You´ll probably want to evaluate your potential therapist before deciding on them, so it´s advisable to have an initial consultation with potential psychotherapists. During a call, you can assess their communication style, approach to you, and how they make you feel. Research shows that the therapist’s personal qualities and personal manner of relating are central to the process of personal growth in therapy.

This is also a great opportunity to ask some questions. They can refer to their experience, success, and dropout rate or to something that´s more personally important to you. Like a job interview, the initial call serves both sides: therapists know whether they can and want to work with you, and you discover if this is a person you want to share intimate information with.

Red Flags to Avoid

Equally important for how to find a good therapist are tips on what to avoid. Here are some signs you might be talking to an incompatible or potentially incompetent, or unethical therapist:

• They lack responsiveness or availability. This might indicate their lack of care or sense of responsibility. However, it can also be a sign they are wanted and popular, making them very busy. 
• They are disrespectful or show dismissive behavior. While this might be accidental, it can also imply poor personal traits or a lack of experience working with diverse groups of people.
• They make unrealistic promises or guarantees. If something sounds too good to be true, it´s probably because it´s not. Don´t expect a quick recovery; growth takes time.

Practical Considerations

When it seems you have found a match, a therapist you would like to embark on a journey with, there are still some practical aspects to consider. An important one is surely the cost of therapy sessions. If you have health insurance, for instance, Cigna mental health coverage, the insurance agency should cover at least part of your expenses. Ensure you understand your insurance plan’s terms to know how much needs to be paid out of pocket. 

Another thing to consider is the type of treatment you need or would like to have. You can expect a more intense treatment at inpatient mental health in Tennessee. Time Wellness offers a residential clinic in Taft for those who wish to be fully dedicated to their recovery.

For those who need to keep their daily routine, our program for outpatient mental health in Tennessee is a better option, as they need to spend only a portion of time in the facility. This is an option that Time Wellness can offer in Chattanooga.

Final Advice on Finding a Good Therapist

We hope you find these pieces of advice on how to find a good therapist useful. Remember that even if you end up unhappy with your initial choice, you can always decide to change the therapist. It´s crucial that you feel good about your therapy. Topics you might be working on can make you feel stressed or frustrated, and your therapist might even contribute to that to trigger a reaction or a change. Still, you need to feel comfortable, safe, and heard. This is essential for your recovery and growth.