A guide to finding the right mental health therapist

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS These therapists typically have a master's degree. “When some people hear ‘social worker,’ they think of professionals who work in hospitals, helping with

transition care, for example,” Bufka says. “But there is a segment of social workers who are trained to provide psychotherapy.” Social workers may be an LCSW (licensed clinical social

worker), LICSW (licensed independent clinical social worker) or LSW (licensed social worker). There's no evidence that one kind of provider is better than another. “A person's

professional degree doesn't really tell you what level of therapy training they've had,” Hutto says. “Therapists can have very different levels of training, ranging from almost

none to many years of supervised casework.” A licensed marriage therapist may have 10 years of training, he says, while a psychiatrist could have had minimal therapy training. “You might

think the psychiatrist, with his or her medical degree, would be the ‘better’ expert. But in fact, the other person is the therapy expert.” It just depends. One thing that may affect your

decision: money. Fees often reflect a therapist's degree. “The fee of a social worker would typically be less than a typical psychiatrist or even a psychologist,” Hutto says. “In fact,

a licensed clinical social worker, with 25 years of experience providing therapy, may charge only half of what a newly trained psychologist does." HOW TO FIND WHO'S RIGHT FOR YOU

"A good way to find the appropriate person is to get a referral,” Sherman says. “Your doctor, a close friend or family member who sees a therapist might be able to recommend someone.”

Or you can do some digging on your own. _Psychology Today_'s Find a Therapist, the APA's Psychologist Locator, or ZenCare (a therapist database) are terrific resources. Type in

your zip code and you'll find a list of professionals near you. Refine your search by clicking on treatment methods (CBT, PDT, etc.), specialties (such as emotional problems, life

transitions or marital problems), age group specialization (seniors, for example), qualifications and years in practice, or cost per session. Another way to go: Narrow the prospects based on

your insurance. “If you have private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, contact them to find in-network providers,” Hutto says. “You can cross-match that with, say, the _Psychology Today_ 

list.” After you've pared down your search, interview potential therapists by giving each one a call or requesting a free consultation. (Keep in mind, some therapists are still

conducting sessions over the phone or via teletherapy — a practice begun during the pandemic.) The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry lists hundreds of psychiatrists around the

U.S. who focus on older patients. Many psychiatrists provide medication rather than psychotherapy, but they can be a good resource for referrals. QUESTIONS TO ASK A CANDIDATE Ask about their

credentials and their training, related to your specific problem, and what their approach to therapy might look like, Hutto says. Let them know why you'd like to see them

("I've been really depressed,” or “I'm having a difficult time dealing with retirement"). You want to get a sense that they're a good fit, Sherman says: “You're

going to open up to this person, share things that are tough to talk about, and be vulnerable, which is not an easy thing to do. You want to think, ‘This is a person who I can unburden

myself to — someone who can create a safe space for me.'” _Editor's note: This story, originally published on May 22, 2020, has been updated to reflect new information._