How to Find the Right Therapist in Chicago for Your Needs
It’s important to find a good therapist in Chicago who you can have a more complete experience of overall well-being with. After all, you might be sharing things that you have never told anyone about. You will want to work with someone who you will be comfortable with and listen to.
There are many kinds of mental health therapist. It can be a social worker, counselor, family & marriage therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. They have different training, experience, and expertise.
This article discusses some of the tips on how you can narrow down your search to pick a therapist in Chicago who is likely to be a good match for you.
Finding the Right Therapist in Chicago
Referral from your doctor: Your primary care provider can refer you to a therapist which can be a good place to start your search
Recommendations from friends: Friends who have had great experience with a therapist can be a good resource when you are looking for a treatment provider
Mental health organizations: You can search for qualified professional on many mental health organizations such as American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association
Figure out your therapy goals: You can find the right therapist when you know what you need from therapy. If you’re interested in therapy to address a issue such as anxiety, depression, loss & grief, or trauma, that might help narrow your options.
Schedule a free consult: Schedule a free phone consult with the therapist so he/she can answer any questions you have about working collaboratively.
Ask them questions: Information can help you figure out if this is the right therapist for you who can help you heal and grow. Here are some of the question you can ask:
What are your areas of expertise?
What kind of therapy do you practice?
Do you have experience working with people in similar situations?
Tell me more about your approach.
How many years have you been practicing as a therapist?
Do you provide online therapy?
Expect to try a few: Finding the right match is going to take some time. It is common for people to try several therapists before they find the right match. Once you have a therapist you connect with, that relationship will be beneficial for you in long term
Credentials of Mental Health Therapists
Therapists often have different initials after their names. It is important to know the difference, so you can decide who to work with. Here are some of the more common credentials.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) – They are required to have a master’s degree from a social work program. They cannot prescribe any medications but use only talk therapy to solve the mental health issues of their clients.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) – They are required to have a master’s or doctorate degree. Marriage and family therapists deal with individuals, couples, and families within the context of domestic relationships and are licensed to diagnose and treat any number of mental and emotional disorders and family/couple/marital/parent-child distress and conflict.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) – They are required to have master’s or doctorate degree. They work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders.
Psychologist (PsyD) – They are required to have a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). They help people learn healthy ways to handle mental health challenges.
Psychiatrists (MD) – They are required to have a medical degree (an M.D. or D.O.), and then complete four years of psychiatry residency. They specialize in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problem. psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient's physical and mental state. Their education and clinical training equip them to understand the complex relationship between emotional and other medical illnesses and the relationships with genetics and family history, to evaluate medical and psychological data, to make a diagnosis, and to work with patients to develop treatment plans. Psychiatrists can also prescribe medications in combination with psychotherapy.
Common Types of Therapy in Chicago
Individual Therapy: Individual therapy provides a personal space for support and understanding for problems and difficulties that you would like to work on and improve. It begins with establishing a strong connection and alliance which provides the frame for the work to take place. You and therapist will discuss current approaches to life stressors, learn new coping skills, and attempt to achieve better insight into recurring problems. Topics discussed in therapy can be just about anything.
Family Therapy: Family therapy involves helping more than one member of the family at the same time to help resolve conflicts and improve family interaction.
Group Therapy: Group therapy provides a unique and robust space to interact with peers and discuss life as it is, and as you would like it to be. It immediately provides a supportive community with individual who are willing to provide feedback, support and advice. People in the group are able to look at their relationships with others as well as their relationship with the group as a whole. Observing this process and learning from it can provide insights into how to improve relationships at work, with family, and significant others. People also experience improvements in anxiety, mood, improved well-being, and relief from social isolation.
Couples Therapy: Couples therapy involves the two people in a committed relationship. People go to couples therapy to learn how to work through their differences and problem-solve challenges in the relationship
What to expect from the first appointment with a therapist in Chicago?
Many people wonder what the first session with a therapist will look like. Will the therapist ask a lot of questions about your life? Will they ask about your childhood? Will they ask you to talk about your fears?
Truth is the first appointment with the therapist is handled differently. They may encourage you to ask them questions about their training and experiences that will make them a good fit for you. First appointment is an opportunity to see if you are comfortable with the therapist to continue to work with.
Goal of the first appointment is to establish a genuine and collaborative connection which will serve as the foundation for the work necessary to deal with daily feelings, understand experiences, and make positive changes to your life. Therapist will conduct a comprehensive initial assessment which will include attention to emotional, cognitive, relational and social aspects of your life.
How long can I expect to be in therapy in Chicago?
Everyone’s treatment is different so how long you will be in therapy depends on many factors. Therapy treatments can be short or long term based on the issues you want to address. It’s important to evaluate progress to make sure you’re getting what you need from therapy. Therapy is a process that sometimes might not feel like a straightforward process but you’ll see small steps forward that will make you feel connected to your well-being, family, and friends.
Final Thought on Choosing the Right Therapist in Chicago
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision that involves some research on selecting a mental health professional that will help you overcome your unique challenges and work toward your own meaningful goals. Finding the right therapist is well worth the effort.