Samantha Arons, MEd, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Looking for and finding a therapist with availability can be challenging, especially when you are struggling. Below I have provided some guiding factors you could keep in mind as you try to find a good fit. It is always going to be a leap of faith, but answers to these questions should give you some grounding information to make an informed decision. *Do they have experience working with the issues that bring you to therapy? *How do they work- talk therapy, skills-based (CBT), deep relational, trauma work- pick what feels right. *Do you click? Feeling heard and comfortable matters more than fancy credentials. * How do they work with and address culture, background, gender, sexuality, and beliefs *Legit training: licensed and trained is non-negotiable *Practical stuff: hours, location or tele-health, session length *Money: cost, sliding scale, insurance claims- make sure it works for you *Availability: Does it match with your worklife commitments *Time Commitment: short-term help vs. longer, deeper work- pick someone who offers what you want **Tip: have a quick call or consult - it may help save time and money on your search It often takes a few sessions to really determine whether your therapist is someone you want to keep working with. Any professional should be open to discussing how things are going and support you in next steps.