| Shop around! If you have a friend who has sought | | | | Make sure the therapist is licensed. You might be |
| therapy, ask him/her for a referral. Even if your | | | | confused by all of the different titles and degrees |
| friend's therapist isn't available, you can ask the | | | | that therapists hold. A therapist can have a Ph.D., |
| therapist for a recommendation to another therapist. | | | | Psy.D., M.D., LCSW, or other degree. As long as the |
| You can also check out the phone book or online | | | | therapist is licensed by the state to provide |
| (under "psychologists", "counselors" or "mental | | | | psychotherapy and is knowledgeable about CBT |
| health") for therapists in your area. | | | | treatment for anxiety (see above), the degree is |
| Ask about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Look for a | | | | less-important. There is one exception to the |
| therapist who does "cognitive-behavioral" therapy | | | | requirement to be licensed. In some cases, especially |
| (CBT). There are many types of therapy, but CBT | | | | at university-based centers, your therapist may not |
| has been shown to have very good results for the | | | | yet be licensed. This is an acceptable practice as long |
| treatment of anxiety, and the results of CBT | | | | as the therapist is supervised by a licensed provider. |
| treatment tend to be longer term than the use of | | | | Ask questions and find a good fit. When you talk to |
| medication alone. CBT helps you to identify and | | | | the potential therapist, either by phone or in person, |
| change the thoughts and behaviors that cause you | | | | it is appropriate for you to ask questions. You want |
| to feel anxious, and it also typically contains an | | | | to make sure that you feel comfortable with the |
| element called "exposure" that helps you to | | | | therapist. In the same way that you probably try on |
| systematically cope with the sources of your anxiety. | | | | a shoe before you buy it, you should find a therapist |
| Know your insurance coverage. Find out if your | | | | whom you trust and with whom you feel |
| insurance covers your treatment. You can do this by | | | | comfortable. You should feel a basic level of trust in |
| calling your insurance company or your potential | | | | the therapist within the first few meetings. If not, do |
| therapist. If your insurance doesn't cover therapy, | | | | not take this as a reflection of you or the therapist. |
| ask if the potential therapist offers an abated fee | | | | Rather, you should discuss your concerns with the |
| (adjusted to your income). For other low cost | | | | therapist so that adjustments can be made within |
| options, you might also look for psychological services | | | | the therapy and your relationship to help you feel |
| provided by graduate students at a local university or | | | | comfortable. |
| through a community mental health center. | | | | |