Once you obtain a list of potential providers through your company, the next step is to contact some of those providers. A second alternative, and one which is usually preferable, is to get a referral to a psychotherapist by someone whom you know and respect. If your company or insurance company does not have a mandated list of providers, you are well off asking someone whom you respect, such as your family physician or attorney, a friend and so on, for the name of a psychotherapist they know and whom they trust. It may be advisable to contact more than one psychotherapist in an attempt to interview them and discover the psychotherapist that best fits your need. Once you select some appropriately licensed people who best meet your needs, the next step is to interview potential psychotherapists in an attempt to determine whether they will specifically be able to assist you.
Fees often vary significantly from one therapist to another.
It is important to discuss with the therapist the fees, payment schedule and to determine whether the services that you need are going to be affordable. Most issues do not get resolved in 2 or 3 sessions, and many take a lot longer. To select a therapist that is going to be unable to work with you for any length of time may not be in your best interest. Sometimes the insurance company, employer or managed care company will only authorize a few sessions. It may be necessary to continue to work with the therapist after, and you may want to assure yourself that his or her fees are affordable In the event that the therapist's stated fees aren't affordable, it may be appropriate to discuss with that person alternatives, such as seeing a psychological assistant, interns or trainee, or payment on what is known as a sliding scale, or variable fees based in ability to pay.