I get asked a lot of questions on a day to day basis, but there is one question in particular I get asked the most. Whether it is due to the pandemic and Covid19, virtual learning, grief/loss, social unrest, trauma, or a sense of general ennui that people are currently experiencing, it seems that everyone is looking for a way to feel more grounded. And when people are at a loss of how to get back on track, they often reach out to a therapist and say “Hey, can you help me find a counselor?” I get asked this question almost as frequently as I get asked “What’s for dinner?”, so I figured I'd share some quick tips for finding a therapist for you or anyone in your life who is struggling. You don't need to have a "big issue" to seek counseling, it can be just as a way to get stuff off your chest or find direction.
Firstly, if you are in The Great State of NJ (as I am), we just passed a new mandate that insurance will cover teletherapy, which is online/zoom therapy. This is good news b/c it means you can see any therapist in NJ rather than trying to find someone who is conveniently located and you can see them safely (and maskless) from home. It also means that if you find a therapist you like who doesn't take insurance, there's a higher likelihood that your Out Of Network benefits will reimburse you for seeing them. It's great news and definitely broadens your options.
So how do you find us? There are lots of directories out there, three that I personally like and use are Zencare, Psychology Today, and Therapy For Black Girls. All three of these are free for you to browse and many therapists have photos and little videos about themselves and what they do to make it easier for you to choose. If you think you'd like to see someone in the office, then search closer to home. If you would rather see someone via the teletherapy options, search all of NJ. We cannot practice across state lines, unless we are licensed in other states.
What about all the different licenses? Honestly (this is just my opinion)...if you want to see someone, I'd worry less about their actual license and more about whether you feel comfortable with them. The world of mental health licensing is confusing at best, so if you find a great therapist who you feel connected to, I wouldn't worry too much about whether they are an LPC vs Psychologist vs LCSW vs LMFT. We all approach things differently and have different methods, but the connection to your therapist is by far the most important variable in whether it will be successful for you or not. Still have questions? Message me and I’ll be sure to get some answers to you.
Mindfully,
Meredith