**✨ Disclaimer ✨**
The advice provided is based on internet research, psychology studies, and personal experience. Its purpose is to help simplify the search for mental health resources and empower you. For suggestions, please submit them in the question portal.

Happy searching!

Part A: The Search

Places to Search

**Alma (my favorite - does most of this for you)**

Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist

Good Therapy (Goes by City)

Therapy Den (Inclusive filtering)

Inclusive Therapists

More Identity Based Directories Here (there’s a lot)

Check insurance directories or referrals too!

Therapist Qs (info to find when looking for one on directories)

Fees/Insurance
Location type
Therapy style
Times/Availability
Background (interests, experience)
Prime demographic AKA “how familiar are you with people like me”

Email Template (for when you find potentials to connect with)

Hello!

I'm currently looking for a therapist and wanted to learn more about your background assuming you're taking new clients. I'd love to know more about your approach to therapy, what time slots you have available, and your experience working with clients like myself (black, early twenties, lgbt+ etc.). I'd also like to clarify fees and insurance although it's listed on your profile.

If this would be better to explain via phone call just let me know.

Sincerely,

Kirsten

Glossaries & FAQs

types of therapist licensing

types of therapy modalities

more therapy faqs

🤔 got a question? Ask it here & I’ll add it to the doc :D (no q is too silly)

Part B: The Inquisition

aka Questions You Can Ask During the Info Session

NOTE: Do NOT be intimidated by the questions or the amount of them. You don’t have to use all of them or any at all. They are a guide to help you determine what matter to you when finding a therapist. DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED TO ASK QUESTIONS. If the person you see makes you feel too intimidated to do so, it’s a good sign they’re not an ideal match. You’ve got this!

Easy Breezy Beautiful Version:

What is your expertise or specialty?
How long have you worked in this field?
My problem is_______. How do you go about treating that?
How does the type of treatment you offer work?
How will we assess my progress?
Do you have flexibility in hours? Do you have a cancellation policy?
What are your strengths as a therapist?
What is the cost per session and/or Do you accept my insurance?
Can you prescribe medication and make referrals for medication?

Getting Down to Business:

Logistical/Get to Know You:

Where did you go to school?
What did you study?
What makes you qualified to treat my problem?
Do you specialize in my problem?
What makes you a specialist?
Have you helped many people like me?
What is the typical outcome of those cases?
Am I good fit? Why?
What type of treatment styles will you use?
Can you explain those treatment styles to me?
Will we talk about my family and relationship history?
How important is it for you to know about my past?
How will I know therapy is working?
Will I feel worse before I feel better?
Who talks more? You or me?
Are you a confrontational therapist?
Do you give me homework?
Have you experienced my issue in your personal life?
Are you married?
Do you have kids?
Have you always been a therapist?
How long have you been in practice?
Are you from this city?
How often do I have to see you?
How much will it cost?
Do you accept my insurance?
Do I deal with my insurance or do you?
What’s your policy on canceling sessions?

Vibe Checks:

Ask yourself what’s important for you to know in order to create trust. It could be anything. It could be about the therapist’s beliefs and values. Or it could be about their hobbies and interests. For example:

Do you see a therapist?
Are you politically progressive or conservative?
Are you religious? If so, how do you practice your religion?
Do you believe in God?
Who did you vote for?
What are your views on social justice?
What are you doing when you’re not a therapist?
Are you a sports fan? What’s your favorite team?
What kind of music are you into?
Are you a vegan, vegetarian or meat eater?
Are you pro-choice?
What are your feelings about our current president?

BIPOC Vetting System:

The mental health profession is predominantly made up of white people. If you’re a person of color and you are seeing a white therapist, you should ask as many questions as possible in order to feel like the therapist is culturally competent. You might consider asking:

Have you worked with a person of color before?
What makes you qualified to work with a person of color?
What have you done to learn about my specific culture?
How are you continuing to learn about my culture?
As a person of color, why should I trust you?
Do you believe that we live in a white supremacy culture?
Do you operate from a racial justice framework? How did you learn about that framework?
What are your thoughts on white privilege?
How do you experience and handle your own white fragility?
Do you believe that racism exists?
Would you feel uncomfortable if I talked about how white people have been racist to me?
How would you feel if I talked bout how much I can’t stand white people sometimes? Would you be offended?
Do you have supervisors or therapists of color that you consult with?
Do you speak any other languages?

LGBTQ+ Vetting System:

Same goes for a queer person that is seeking therapy from a heterosexual cis gendered therapist.

What is your gender identity?
What is your sexual identity?
Does your gender identity match your biological gender?
Have you ever treated a queer or trans person before?
What is your understanding of diverse sexualities and gender identities?
If gay, what was your coming out process like?
Do you think being gay is a choice?
Do you think homosexuality can be “cured?”
How do you feel talking about gay sex?
Are you trained in counseling people who want to go through gender reassignment surgery?
Do you support gay people getting married?
What makes you a LGBTQ specialist?
Do you understand the issues that are facing the LGBTQ community in this political environment?
Were you raised in an environment that was open to the queer community?
Where exactly were you raised?
Are you LGBTQ affirming and competent? (There is a difference and therapists understand the difference.)
Do you have LGBTQ friends and family members?
Do you have supervisors or therapists in the LGBTQ community that you consult with?