How to Find a Therapist in New York

If you're looking for a therapist in New York, you're in luck!

New York City, with its vibrant energy and diverse population, offers a wealth of therapeutic options to cater to individual needs and preferences. Whether you're seeking traditional psychotherapy, innovative therapeutic approaches, or a combination of both, New York City's experienced and compassionate therapists are ready to support you on your journey towards mental well-being.

From reputable clinics and qualified professionals to recommendations from the welcoming community, New York City provides a supportive environment for finding the right therapist for you. Embrace the journey ahead, and let's help you find a therapist who can guide you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

New York Therapists - Finding One the Right Way

To make finding your best New York therapist easier, we broke the task into six easy-to-follow steps and offer a comprehensive guide to carry you through each of them.

• Step 1: Clarify your Goals for Therapy
• Step 2: Pick the Right Kind of Therapist
• Step 3: Choose your Preferred Setting
• Step 4: Find New York Therapists
• Step 5: Vett the Therapist
• Step 6: Reach out!

Step One: Clarify your Goals for Therapy

The first thing you need to do is stop and clarify why you want to see a therapist in the first place. While all therapists are experts in human behaviour, that’s a big subject and so each type of therapist has their own focus, approach, and skill set. If you clarify why you want to see one, it becomes easier to choose the best professional for your needs.

Bonus: Noting down your goals lets you look back later and measure your progress. So no skimping here.

How to Identify/Clarify Your Goals for Therapy

If you are clear about your reasons, skip to step two.

Don’t worry if you have no idea what your goals are; this could be why you want to see a therapist. For many people, all they know is that they want to feel better. And that's fine, too; still, these suggestions might help you find the words you need.

• Reflect on your feelings and behaviour: Ask yourself what is troubling you. Is it something about you, your child, your relationship, or your family? Are you experiencing complicated feelings like anxiety, sadness, anger, or despair? Are you concerned about your behaviour?
• Consider your goals: What do you hope to accomplish by seeing a therapist? Is it symptom reduction? Does your child need an educational assessment? Would you like to improve your marriage? Do you want to be a better person?
• Look at your life circumstances: Have life events contributed to your struggles? Are you experiencing a significant change, such as moving, trauma, grief, a job loss, or the end of a relationship? Or does this have more to do with your past?

Reasons People See Therapists in New York

The top reasons people seek therapy in New York are similar to those in other parts of the world, but some unique cultural factors play a role. Here are some of the most common reasons why people in New York see therapists:

• Addressing the fast-paced lifestyle and constant pressure: New York City is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, intense work culture, and constant buzz, which can significantly contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Therapists provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and manage stress in the face of these challenges.
• Navigating relationship dynamics in a diverse metropolis: New York City's diversity and cultural richness can add complexity to interpersonal relationships. Therapists offer guidance on communication, conflict resolution, and building healthy relationships, helping individuals navigate the unique relationship challenges faced by New Yorkers.
• Coping with life transitions in the city that never sleeps: New York City attracts individuals from all walks of life seeking new opportunities and experiences, often leading to significant life transitions such as career changes, job loss, or relocation. Therapists assist individuals in adapting to new environments, managing career transitions, and coping with loss or grief, helping them navigate these life changes in a healthy and resilient manner.
• Processing trauma and mental health concerns amidst urban stressors: New York City's history, social context, and fast-paced environment can contribute to exposure to trauma, such as violence, crime, and exposure to natural disasters. Therapists provide trauma-informed care to help individuals process traumatic experiences, develop resilience, and manage the psychological effects of trauma, particularly within the unique context of New York City.
• Addressing substance abuse and mental health co-occurring disorders: New York City has a significant prevalence of substance abuse and mental health co-occurring disorders. Therapists play a crucial role in addiction treatment and recovery, helping individuals address the underlying causes of addiction, develop strategies for long-term sobriety, and manage mental health conditions simultaneously.

Step Two: Decide on the Kind of Therapist

Now that you have clarified why you want to see one, consider which type is most likely equipped to meet your needs. This list covers the main types of therapists available in New York and what they typically do. Of course, every professional brings a unique background, and some will have broader skills.

The main regulating body for mental health professionals in New York is The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is the state agency responsible for regulating and overseeing mental health services in New York. OMH is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to high-quality, affordable mental health care.

Kinds of Therapists in New York

OMH licenses and regulates 14 different mental health professions. These professions are grouped into five main categories:

Psychologists: Psychologists are mental health professionals with doctoral degrees who have undergone extensive training in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. They can provide a wide range of services, including individual therapy, group therapy, psychological testing, and neuropsychological evaluations.

Social Workers: Social workers are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have training in providing social services, counselling, and therapy to individuals, families, and groups. They can help with a wide range of issues, including mental health, substance abuse, poverty, and domestic violence.

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): MFTs are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have specialized training in working with couples, families, and other relationships. They can help with a wide range of issues, including communication problems, conflict resolution, and parenting skills.

Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs): MHPs are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have training in providing mental health services to individuals, families, and groups. They can provide a wide range of services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and case management.

Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. They have the authority to prescribe medication, which makes them a distinct group within the broader category of MHPs.

Go back to your notes and ask which aligns most with your concern; that’s the kind to search for. As mentioned, overlap and variation exist, and some therapists have studied to broaden their scope. However, all things equal, looking for the kind whose initial skill set matches your needs is best.

Step Three: Choose your Preferred Setting

So far, you have clarified your issue and identified the kind of therapists to look for. Before you set out to do that, you must decide on your preferred setting (online or in person) and location (local, national, or international). Not all therapists work online, and not all work in person. Knowing your preference (or what is likely best for you) helps.

Online or In-Person

There is a reason you want to find a therapist, and you want the process to be as effective as possible. So, setting up your sessions to achieve this outcome should guide your decision. While it is possible to hold your first meeting online, some matters require in-person sessions. Psychometric assessments, play therapy, managing intense emotion or risk, and in-depth therapy are good examples.

There are, of course, exceptions, e.g., you might be too afraid to meet in person and will only meet in person after growing comfortable through a period of online work. In this case, starting online is the only way to achieve your goals. It is the same if online is the only way to access a service, e.g., you need a therapist who speaks an otherwise unavailable language or lives far away.

If your situation allows you to choose between online or in-person sessions, take the decision seriously. Yes, online meetings can bring convenience, improve access, enable you to meet in the comfort of wherever and obliterate travel time. But there are also downsides, especially for therapies that require a deep emotional connection or exposure (if you fear leaving home, getting out may be an essential part of treatment).

In-person sessions have their advantages, too. Sitting in a room with someone you have grown to trust is helpful even before the power of therapy. Plus, time to process your thoughts while travelling to and from sessions allows you to gather, consolidate, and reflect. Sometimes, having somewhere to go and planning to get there can help you through the most challenging times.

Important: Some popular insurance providers (medical aid) have rules and exclusions for online sessions or sessions with people in other countries. Check with yours for more details.

Location - Local is Great

When choosing between local therapists or looking further afield, we think there is no contest.

It could be that you have heard of especially great therapists in a specific city even though you live in a different one. And yes, therapists differ in talent, and some are more specialised. But decades have taught us that no psychologist holds a magic bullet.

New York therapists are well-trained, and the relationship you build together will count more than a PhD or popularity. So, unless you need something unavailable locally, the therapists near your home or work are likely best.

Choosing local has other advantages, too. The process becomes easier to sustain by reducing travel time and cost. Scheduling sessions to fit your routine is more straightforward, and traffic congestion becomes less of a worry. As a result, you cancel less, avoid late cancellation fees, and have more opportunities to benefit.

Step Four: Go Find Therapists

At last, the search begins. But before you start, remember this: if therapy is what you are after, your goal is to find someone highly skilled whom you can form a connection with and who you believe might get and accept you. Keep this in mind every step of the way.

But how do you find nearby therapists in New York? Follow the steps below and keep a list of favourites (you may need to approach more than one) as you proceed.

Visit online directories: Therapist directories are the most convenient way to find therapists. TherapyRoute.com is one option. Not only will you find many mental health professionals, but its features speed up and smooth the process. For example, the homepage instantly displays the closest therapists (and other therapists) and shows which have availability.

If you need to look elsewhere, you can use the search box to search by location. Helpful, as therapists typically practice in affluent suburbs, so there may be more choices near your office than your home.

TherapyRoute also helps you find your best-fit therapists by providing filters like professional type, language, issue, client group, and identity, e.g., black, male, female, LGBTQ, and more. So, all you need to do is visit TherapyRoute.com , use the dropdowns, open the profiles you like best, and read them to see which ones resonate most.

Ask for recommendations: While it does mean exposing yourself a bit more, this is another popular approach. Turn to people you trust, especially the ones you know have seen therapists before, and ask if they know of anyone to recommend.

It is usually best to see a therapist without connections to your social circle. Good boundaries help enable you to be more honest and open. So, even if you don’t see their therapists, their therapists could link you with another suitable, trusted colleague.

Asking your Doctor: This is another popular strategy since they often have referral relationships with local therapists. Ask for a referral to someone they can vouch for and who they know helped their other patients.

Schools: When it comes to family and children, schools are often a good port of call. Schools frequently call upon therapists, and the teachers see which ones benefit their scholars. Ask your child’s teacher if they have someone to recommend based on their observations.

Whichever approach you choose, once you have a list of therapists to choose from, the next step is to vet them for any red flags. We will tell you how to do this next.

Step Five: Vetting the Therapists

Call us paranoid, but the world isn't known for its lack of scammers. Taking a moment to confirm someone's credentials and peeking at their online footprint is a good idea.

There is an online public portal in New York that allows you to access information about registered mental health professionals. The portal is called the New York State Office of the Professions - Online Services.

The New York State Office of the Professions (OP) plays an important role in safeguarding the public by ensuring that mental health professionals in New York meet high standards of competence and ethical conduct. As the regulatory body for psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals in the state, the OP is committed to protecting consumers and promoting quality mental health care.

The OP's online services portal provides a convenient and accessible way for members of the public to vet mental health professionals. The portal allows you to search for licensed mental health professionals by name, license number, city, zip code, and speciality. You can also view a professional's profile, which includes their education, training, experience, and disciplinary history.

How to Use the New York State Office of the Professions - Online Services to Vet a Mental Health Professional:

1. Go to the New York State Office of the Professions - Online Services website .

2. Scroll to the "Verify a License" tab and click Search.

3. Use the drop-down menus to select your options.

A list of licensed mental health professionals who match your search criteria will be displayed. You can then click on a professional's name to view their profile.

The point of checking is to see their status, note judgments or offences, and confirm the information corresponds with their self-description.

Once satisfied that each therapist is in good standing, the next step is to Google their name. Stalking is a bad idea (better stick with their professional selves), but do look out for red flags. Do you see a pattern of negative reviews? Do worrisome news articles appear? Does their online footprint look like a professional's should, e.g., are they mentioned on relevant websites?

If all still seems promising, it is time to reach out.

Step Six: Contact the Therapist

Hooray, finally! It's time to reach out. You could fire off a few quick one-line messages, or you could use this as a final opportunity to learn more about them and to see if they are the right therapists for you before committing to a meeting.

Your aims here are to find out if they have availability that suits you, whether they think they can help with your concern, and to clarify their process and requirements. Also, if you have deal breakers (e.g., the therapists must be trans-affirming), now is the time to ask about them.

There is no one way to reach out, so don’t take our pointers too seriously; we put them together to help you along. Read through them and give them a bit of thought. Ask yourself if we missed something vital to you. Then, once you know what you want to say, draft a text to send or to use to prompt you through the jitters if you decide to phone them.

Trusted Resources

Non-profit Counseling and Therapy Services

1. The Jed Foundation: The Jed Foundation is a leading mental health organization that works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. They offer a variety of mental health resources, including a free online therapy platform called "Teenzone."

2. The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. They offer a 24-hour helpline, a website with information on LGBTQ+ mental health, and a variety of other resources.

3. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New York City: NAMI New York City is a grassroots mental health advocacy organization that provides support and education to people with mental illness and their families. They offer a variety of programs and services, including support groups, educational workshops, and a 24-hour helpline.

4. The Counseling Center at New York University: The Counseling Center at New York University provides a variety of mental health services to NYU students, including individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. They also offer a variety of workshops and events on mental health topics.

URL: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/counseling-services.html

5. The Psychological Center at City College of New York: The Psychological Center at City College of New York provides a variety of mental health services to CCNY students, including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological testing. They also offer a variety of outreach and prevention programs.

General Mental Health Resources

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is the federal agency responsible for mental health and substance abuse services in the United States. They offer a variety of resources, including a national helpline, a website with information on mental health conditions and treatment, and a locator tool to find mental health providers in your area.

2. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research on mental health and developing new treatments. They offer a variety of resources, including a website with information on mental health conditions, research findings, and treatment options.

3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC has a website with information on mental health conditions, including statistics, risk factors, and prevention strategies.

4. MentalHealth.gov: MentalHealth.gov is a website operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides information and resources on mental health. The website includes information on mental health conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies.

5. The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to speak with a crisis counsellor.