How to Find a Psychiatrist or Therapist Who’s a Good Match for You

We understand the challenges associated with locating a psychiatrist. The task can be particularly daunting when searching for a professional who aligns well with your needs or those of a loved one. Fortunately, there are avenues to address this difficulty.

When selecting the most suitable psychiatrist for your needs, it's essential to take various factors into account. If you find yourself unsure of where to begin, this guide can provide valuable assistance.

Why is locating a psychiatrist or therapist proving to be such a challenge?

If you are dealing with a mental health condition and have chosen to seek professional assistance, it can be disheartening to encounter obstacles while looking for care—whether it's with a psychiatrist or another mental health care provider. Here are some of the difficulties you might encounter—and how to address them.

Are you unsure about which conditions or issues require the assistance of a psychiatrist or therapist? Check out TCNY's wide range of therapy & counseling services.

Many providers do not accept insurance

Approximately 50% of mental health practitioners in the United States do not take health insurance, a sharp contrast to the 10% in other fields. This concerning reality poses a significant obstacle to the provision of affordable and easily accessible mental health services. Finding a suitable psychiatrist or therapist who takes insurance can therefore be challenging. Here at TCNY, our focus is on providing access to behavioral health care that's covered by insurance — both in-network and out-of-network. Click here to learn more about TCNY's insurance coverage and in-network insurance plans.

Many providers have full rosters & limited capacity for new patients

As society becomes more accepting of mental health treatment, an increasing number of individuals are reaching out for support. Despite this positive trend, high demand for behavioral health care has contributed to the shortage of available psychiatrists and therapists. This situation forces you to compete with other patients for treatment availability in group and private practices. As a result, 57% of adults with a mental illness Individuals do not receive any form of care in a given year.

Developing a suitable rapport with a psychiatrist or therapist takes time 

Identifying a suitable psychiatrist or therapist can be challenging. Establishing a meaningful connection with your chosen professional is crucial for effective treatment. Initial challenges may arise from various factors, including age disparity, cultural differences, or varying communication styles. Therefore, it's important to consider a provider's expertise, empathy & prior experience with your situation, as well as to allow time for a suitable treatment plan to be developed (up to ~3x sessions). Click here to learn more about TCNY's care providers, and click here to contact TCNY or schedule a Calendly call to speak with our intake team & learn more about our currently available providers.

Conduct an intake call with TCNY to determine suitability for outpatient care

Owing to reduced reimbursement rates, variations in coverage among insurance plans, and other challenges, a significant number of psychiatrists lack a comprehensive framework for new client engagement. 

At TCNY, we utilize a time-tested approach where our intake team learns more about you to determine suitability for behavioral health care in an outpatient setting. We then match you with one of our available care providers based on your preferences and schedule. Click here to contact us or schedule a Calendly call to speak with our intake team.

At Therapy Center of New York, simplifying the process of locating a psychiatrist or therapist is our priority. Our healthcare professionals all accept insurance and provide virtual appointments for added convenience.

Four signs a psychiatrist or therapist is suitable for you  

How can you determine if your psychiatrist or therapist is a suitable match? Consider these four key factors to assess compatibility.

Your care provider makes you feel heard: Understanding yourself is crucial, especially when seeking care for a mental health condition. It is essential to feel that your psychiatrist or therapist is attentive and responsive to your needs. Are your specific concerns and issues being addressed? Are you motivated to express your concerns openly? It's important to feel empowered and have a voice in shaping your treatment plan.

Your care provider recalls details from previous sessions: It can be disheartening and consume valuable time to have to reiterate the information you shared during past sessions. While it might be necessary to reiterate or revisit certain details, it is crucial that you feel your care provider is diligently documenting information and initiating each subsequent session from where the last one concluded.

Your care provider validates your concerns: Nobody enjoys the sensation of having their concerns dismissed, and this sentiment is particularly relevant when seeking care for one's mental health. Expressing the challenges you're facing can evoke a sense of vulnerability. Having a care provider who acknowledges your emotions and concerns is essential for maintaining openness and honesty during your sessions. This dynamic fosters an environment conducive to getting the most out of your personalized treatment plan.

Your care provider takes time to answer your questions: Balancing everything within a scheduled time-bound session can be challenging, but it's crucial not to feel hurried. Your care provider should allocate sufficient time to comprehensively address your questions and discuss any concerns you may have.

Looking for a behavioral health care provider? Therapy Center of New York can help

Established over 30 years ago, Therapy Center of New York offers a broad range of diagnostic, therapy and counseling services for adults, families and children. We have over 30+ psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers available to provide a wide variety of services and meet your specific needs and requirements.

Our goal at Therapy Center of New York is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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