How to Choose a Psychologist

At some point in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and need help dealing with our problems. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 30 million Americans will need help dealing with problems beyond their control. Reasons for why someone may need to consult a therapist range from family situations to depression. There are so many reasons as to why you may need to consult a psychiatrist, and you’re not alone in needing to.

With a large chunk of Americans needing to seek additional help when it comes to managing their problems, finding the right psychiatrist is crucial to a patient’s success. Lucky for you though we have put together a list of things to consider when choosing the best psychiatrist for your needs.

Know When to Consult a Psychiatrist

The first thing to know when searching for the right psychiatrist for you is to know if you are truly in need of assistance. If you think that therapy is something you’re interested in, know that you should consider therapy if you feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness, if you are finding it difficult to carry out daily activities, if you worry excessively, or if you begin to perform actions that can be harmful to you or others. If you’ve decided to contact a psychologist, the next thing you will need to know is how to find a psychologist.

Finding a Psychologist in Jupiter, FL

Finding a psychologist is super easy! In the digital age, a simple Google search can help you find psychiatric offices near you. You may also want to consult with your primary care doctor and insurance company to ensure that the psychologist you are making an appointment with is in your network!

Considerations to Take When Choosing Your Psychologist

The biggest thing when it comes to choosing a psychologist is knowing that you and your psychologist WILL WORK TOGETHER. This is imperative to the success of your visits, so make sure that you find a psychologist that is the right match for you! Once you know that your psychologist is legitimate, the single most important factor to your sessions is how comfortable you feel with them. Look at it this way: you’re going to tell this person your inner thoughts. Chances are you’re not going to tell those thoughts to someone you aren’t comfortable around.

Final Questions to Consider

Once you’ve found who you think the perfect match for you is, it is time to ask some routine questions, just to make sure that you know all there is to know about him/her. Our friends over at the American Psychological Association have put together a list of questions to ask before committing to a psychologist. Check those questions out below:

• Are you a licensed psychologist? How many years have you been practicing psychology?
• I have been feeling (anxious, tense, depressed, etc.) and I'm having problems (with my job, my marriage, eating, sleeping, etc.). What experience do you have helping people with these types of problems?
• What are your areas of expertise — for example, working with children and families?
• What kinds of treatments do you use, and have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?
• What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a 45-minute to 50-minute session.) Do you have a sliding-scale fee policy?
• What types of insurance do you accept? Will you accept direct billing to or payment from my insurance company? Are you affiliated with any managed care organizations? Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance?

Now that all of your questions have been answered, you will be able to choose the best psychologist for you! Here at Palm Beach Behavioral Health & Wellness, we have many amazing psychologists that look forward to helping you reclaim your optimal mental health. If you have any questions regarding your mental health or are interested in making an appointment, contact us today!