Finding a therapist in Bel Air, MD can be a challenge. There are plenty of therapists to choose from, but how do you find the therapist that’s right for you?

Bel Air, MD is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States with some of the best schools in the country. There are plenty of therapy resources that are just a google search away. So why are so many people having difficulty with finding a therapist in Bel Air, MD? With the population being majority white, people of color could find it difficult to find a black therapist in Bel Air, MD. Also, there are so many therapists to choose from, how do you know if a therapist you find online is the right fit? Whether you’re looking for a counselor, psychologist, therapist, social worker, or a life coach, I’d like to help you find the mental health professional that is the right fit for you in Bel Air, MD.

 

I Want to Help You Find a Therapist in Bel Air, MD

Tip #1: Consider online therapy

When looking for a therapist, most people do an online search for a provider in their city. Finding a therapist in your area is great, especially if you prefer in-person therapy. But one advantage of online therapy is that it opens the doors for more options to find a therapist. For example, there may be a handful of therapists that specialize in couples’ counseling in Bel Air, MD. If there is a limited amount of couples’ therapists, their caseloads may be full and you will have to join their waitlist until another spot opens up. The benefit of online therapy is that it opens the door for you to connect with a therapist that is licensed in your state. You can find a therapist that lives in a city hours away or even lives in another state as long as they are licensed in the state you reside in.

Tip #2: Check Out Therapist Directories

When you do an online search for a therapist in your area the first few results are usually a therapist directory. Therapist Directories are a great way to find a therapist that may be the best fit for you. Make sure to use the filters to find a therapist that will be able to help with your specific needs. For example, if you would like to work on issues related to your childhood trauma and you would feel the most comfortable working with a black Christian therapist, you can specify those details in a Therapist Directory. Some popular directories are:

·       Psychology Today

·       Good Therapy

·       Mental Health Match

·       Therapy For Black Girls (an excellent choice if you are looking for a black therapist or a therapist who specializes in working with the black population)

·       Inclusive Therapists (an excellent choice if you are looking for a therapist who is culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and social justice oriented.

·       Zencare

Also, make sure to read the profiles fully to identify a therapist that specializes in the area you need help in. For example, if you are looking for help with your anxiety, look for a therapist who discusses treating anxiety in their profile. A therapist who specializes in grief or eating disorders may not be the best fit.

 

Tip #3: Explore Different Paying Options

 

People with health insurance usually search for therapists who accept their insurance. You can find many therapists who accept your insurance, but that doesn’t mean they are the right fit for you. Although there is a good chance that you will find a therapist who accepts your insurance and could help you, it is also important to note that you shouldn’t limit your search for therapists who only accept your insurance.

 

With the growing need for therapy in recent years, I see so many people searching for therapists and taking the first therapist that has an opening. By doing this, there is a chance that you may not connect with your therapist if you haven’t fully explored your options. I always recommend looking for a therapist who accepts your insurance first. Then, after you’ve called and completed a consultation with each therapist and you still feel like you haven’t found a therapist that is the right fit, explore therapists with other payment options. Some other payment options to consider are:

·       Therapists who accept out-of-pocket fees- I know, I know, this can get a bit expensive. But it is important to view your mental health and well-being as an investment. I see so many people prioritizing their loved ones and their financial needs ahead of their own. You deserve to invest in yourself and your happiness.  Also, look into your out-of-network benefits. Some plans will cover some if not all of the cost of therapy for providers who are not in-network with your insurance. You may have a deductible to pay first, but this can really help with the costs.

·       Paying with an FSA account- Some insurance plans give you the opportunity to put tax-free money away from each paycheck to go towards medical expenses. The money in this account can be used towards therapy. So, if you find a therapist that is not in network with your insurance, consider using these funds toward improving your mental health.

·       Find a therapist with a sliding scale fee- Some therapists offer sliding fee scale options. This means that the rate for therapy can be lowered for individuals who cannot afford their full fee for a limited time or the full duration of therapy. If you need help with the costs of therapy, ask a potential therapist if they have this option or search for therapists who have a sliding fee scale in the therapist directories.

·       Using your EAP Benefits- Some jobs offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). This program provides employees with short-term mental health support. Typically, the allotted number of sessions is between 3 to 6 sessions. This is a great way to get some short-term support and recommendations on how to move forward with treatment from a mental health professional you’ve worked with for a few weeks.

Tip #4: Consider Working with a Life Coach

There are a lot of great benefits to meeting with a life coach, but it isn’t for everyone. The key difference between life coaching and therapy is life coach sessions are goal-driven and therapy focuses on improving mental health and healing from past traumas or pain. Although there are some aspects that are similar, therapy and life coaching are different. If you have already seen a therapist and worked to improve how you navigate emotions, a life coach may be able to assist with helping you to get unstuck and learn more healthy habits. Another benefit of working with a life coach is that a life coach can meet with any client in the United States while therapists can only see clients in the state they are licensed in.

Tip # 5: ALWAYS SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION!

I cannot stress this enough, always schedule a consultation with a potential therapist. I even recommend scheduling multiple consultations with multiple therapists before you pick the one you feel the most comfortable with. Finding a therapist is a lot like dating (hear me out). You wouldn’t agree to be in a relationship with someone without at least going on a few dates with them or getting to know them first. The same standard should be set for finding a therapist. Most therapists offer a free consultation. Use this time to ask any questions you have about the therapy process, therapy rates, or anything else that will make you feel more comfortable proceeding with them as your therapist.

Too often I see clients pick a therapist that aligns with their schedule or takes their insurance, but when you don’t consider the therapeutic relationship, it can be detrimental to the overall progress with your therapy goals. If you can’t open up to your therapist, therapy is not going to work.

Click here for helpful questions to ask a potential therapist in a consultation.

A Free Therapy Consultation in Bel Air, MD

I hope these tips help you find the therapist that will help you reach your full potential. Click here if you would like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. You can also check out my About Chenelle page to learn more about how I can help you with any anxiety symptoms related to your interpersonal relationships. Remember, your mental health is important. Selecting the right therapist for you can make a world of a difference in your life overall.