You haven’t felt like yourself in a while and can’t quite put your finger on why that might be. Recent happenings and events around the world or your personal surroundings have caused you to feel like there is no hope and no good reason to get up in the morning. Trauma from your past has been triggered by a seemingly small incident and you really need someone to talk it through. Your anxiety is at an all time high and you are at a point where you would like to find professional help, but how easy is it really to get the help you are looking for? 

For many people it is not easy to admit to themselves and their loved ones that they might need professional help to feel happy again. But now that they are finally ready to get started and find someone to talk to, it seems to be impossible to find a therapist that has availability, takes your insurance or answers their phone when you make that first phone call. 

Finding the Right Therapist for You in Denver

Finding the right therapist can seem like a big project, especially in a major city like Denver, where there are so many good options. A simple google search for a therapist in your area can be overwhelming, because there are just so many to choose from and they all seem to be equally nice. Keep in mind that you do not need to stay with the first therapist you meet with if you feel like it is not the best fit after the initial free “get to know each other”-session. Shop around and find someone you feel comfortable with.

There are a variety of different licenses and credentials that therapists can have – each signifying a different specialty. It is always a good idea to make sure the therapist you choose has training and experience in helping people with your specific concerns. 

For example, a licensed therapist has at a minimum, received a master’s degree, post graduate supervision (approximately 2-3 years of work with a trained supervisor) and passed a national exam. A psychologist has a PhD, about 3-5 more years of training and most likely a lot more time spent on research. A PsyD takes around the same amount of time as a PhD but the focus is spent more on clinical hours. The most common question around credentialing is “who can prescribe?”. A psychiatrist (MD), a nurse practitioner (NP) and in some areas a physician’s assistant (PA). You can find these providers under “psychiatry”. 

To specialize even further, some therapists only work with adults, or only work with clients with anxiety and depression, but not eating disorders etc, so it’s important to ask the right questions when you make that first phone call.

So how do you find the right therapist that fits your needs? 

If you are not tied to an insurance provider, there are a few different websites that let you enter your zip code and what kind of therapist you are looking for. There is Sondermind, which lets you search by issue, location and your available times. Another good example is the therapist finder on Psychology Today. You can browse the different therapists’ websites, find out where in Denver they are located and if their introduction speaks to you. A therapist cannot be listed on Psychology Today unless they can prove they have a legitimate advanced degree in their discipline and an up to date professional license or certification.

Most offices in the Denver area offer a free first session where you can get to know each other and see if it would be a good fit for both sides. Most also list their session prices on their website, if that is a deciding factor for you. The average rate for a one-hour session in Denver ranges from $100 to $150.

If you are looking for a therapist that is in network with your health insurance, the customer service department of your insurance is also a great source to find a therapist in your specific Denver neighborhood whose services are covered. There is usually a provider finder link on the insurance’s website and a phone number to call listed on the backside of your insurance card. 

Of course, Thrive Counseling is always here and we can see clients quickly for a free consultation. Contact us for more information.