How to Find a Therapist | Therapy for Addiction

As you navigate the road to recovery, one of the best investments you can make is finding a reputable therapist. However, this process can feel overwhelming at times with the number of options available. As a Christian, you may want someone who shares your faith. Or it may be more important to find someone who falls within a specific budget. Whatever you are looking for, knowing how to find a therapist that meets your needs is imperative for lasting sobriety. 

Finding the Right Therapist for You

Every person in recovery has different needs and priorities when looking for counseling. Here are the steps you should follow as you seek mental health care:

1. List Your Priorities

If you start by listing the characteristics you want in a provider, you’re less likely to get overwhelmed with the number of options available. Consider things such as specialty, cost, location, gender, credentials, and insurance when making your list. Ultimately, you know what is best for you. However, there are key components that you should consider in a mental health professional such as licensure and reputation.

2. Consider the Cost

For many people seeking treatment, the cost is the biggest factor in finding care. If you have health insurance, your benefits may cover at least part of the cost of treatment. This could include outpatient therapy, inpatient treatment, and residential care. Depending on the level of help you need, you could have all or a portion of this covered by your insurance. To find therapists who accept your health care coverage, your online portal often has a search feature to find providers. 

3. Utilize Reputable Therapist Directories

There are an overwhelming number of resources online to find a therapist or treatment center. Websites such as Psychology Today and The American Psychological Association are reputable databases of both individual therapists and treatment centers based on location or needs. There are many other options online, but be wary of any site that doesn’t list licensing information or requires any type of payment upfront. 

4. Find Addiction Recovery Specialists

The letters after a therapist’s name help you determine if this person would be a good fit for what you need. Here are a few that you can look for to find a reputable therapist:

• LPC or LMFT: These are masters-level therapists who have completed the training and practice hours to achieve licensure.
• PsyD or Ph.D.: These therapists have doctoral degrees in psychology and are often referred to as licensed psychologists.
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Workers are practicing therapists who also have social work training. They complete clinical hours in counseling to receive this title. 
• CAS: These are clinical addiction specialists, meaning they specialize in addiction treatment.

There are a number of other licenses and credentials that providers list in their biographies, and all of them have different benefits. Try not to get caught up in the number of letters after a person’s name. Instead, look for key indicators of licensure and specializations, like addiction treatment.

5. Determine Other Needs

After you know you’ve found a trustworthy therapist, then consider the other qualities you would like for them to have. You may want someone who is the same gender as you, especially if you’re going to talk about sensitive topics. If you’re looking for someone who shares your faith, they will likely list this in their biography as well. 

If this all still feels overwhelming, try not to stress. You may try one provider and find they’re not a good fit. You can always find someone else. Or you might realize you need more intensive treatment than you can get in an outpatient office. If that’s the case, it may be time to consider residential treatment. 

Finding Specialized Addiction Treatment

Deciding to pursue intensive treatment is never easy. However, finding a center that supports your recovery and encourages your faith can ease some of your stress. At Celebrate Hope, we are dedicated to helping you pursue recovery on the foundation of faith in Jesus. We encourage deep connections amongst residents through our groups and participation in Celebrate Recovery programs. We also offer individual therapy where you can work through your past experiences and develop healthy coping skills. If you are looking for a reputable, Christian addiction treatment center, contact our admissions team today.