Tips for Finding a Psychotherapist or Counselor in NYC:
Here are some questions to ask when looking for a therapist in NYC or seeking a counselor in New York City. Finding a counselor may be easy, but finding the right counselor entails asking some important questions.
• Does the therapist or counselor have experience helping others with the particular issues you are interested in exploring? The more experience the psychotherapist has addressing, for example, anxiety or depression, relationship problems or gay and lesbian issues, the more expertise he or she will bring to your concerns in those areas.
• Is the psychotherapist licensed? What graduate degrees does the therapist have? How long in general has the therapist been practicing, 1 year, 5 years, 15 years?
• Is the therapist presently supervised by another professional or peer? Most psychotherapists are supervised. Supervision serves a number of purposes including helping the therapist to discover his or her own blocks and getting advise.
• Does the psychotherapist or counselor have rules regarding confidentiality of information you share? What are they?
• What is the psychotherapist’s general philosophy or approach in therapy? Is he or she active with clients in giving feedback or more neutral? Which approach do you want?
• What is the therapist’s cancellation policy? Is it acceptable to you?
• And finally, do you feel safe and comfortable with the therapist? It is normal to feel some anxiety meeting the therapist for the first or second time, but is the therapist understanding, smart, and easy to relate to, or judgmental and unclear? Do you think it is “a good fit”? Feeling safe and comfortable is important to encourage, over time, a sense of trust so you can begin to explore freely your own thoughts and feelings without criticism.