Shop around! If you have a friend who has sought therapy, ask him/her for a referral. Even if your friend's therapist isn't available, you can ask the therapist for a recommendation to another therapist. You can also check out the phone book or online (under "psychologists", "counselors" or "mental health") for therapists in your area.
Ask about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Look for a therapist who does "cognitive-behavioral" therapy (CBT). There are many types of therapy, but CBT has been shown to have very good results for the treatment of anxiety, and the results of CBT treatment tend to be longer term than the use of medication alone. CBT helps you to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that cause you to feel anxious, and it also typically contains an element called "exposure" that helps you to systematically cope with the sources of your anxiety.
Know your insurance coverage. Find out if your insurance covers your treatment. You can do this by calling your insurance company or your potential therapist. If your insurance doesn't cover therapy, ask if the potential therapist offers an abated fee (adjusted to your income). For other low cost options, you might also look for psychological services provided by graduate students at a local university or through a community mental health center.
Make sure the therapist is licensed. You might be confused by all of the different titles and degrees that therapists hold. A therapist can have a Ph.D., Psy.D., M.D., LCSW, or other degree. As long as the therapist is licensed by the state to provide psychotherapy and is knowledgeable about CBT treatment for anxiety (see above), the degree is less-important. There is one exception to the requirement to be licensed. In some cases, especially at university-based centers, your therapist may not yet be licensed. This is an acceptable practice as long as the therapist is supervised by a licensed provider.
Ask questions and find a good fit. When you talk to the potential therapist, either by phone or in person, it is appropriate for you to ask questions. You want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the therapist. In the same way that you probably try on a shoe before you buy it, you should find a therapist whom you trust and with whom you feel comfortable. You should feel a basic level of trust in the therapist within the first few meetings. If not, do not take this as a reflection of you or the therapist. Rather, you should discuss your concerns with the therapist so that adjustments can be made within the therapy and your relationship to help you feel comfortable.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Out of State Warrent want to clean up.
By: 68Scot | 02-09-2008
I was arrested on a business trip several years ago and to avoid missing a flight home I plead guilty to DWI to avoid any future time in jail. I never complied with the punishhment since I live out of State and the charges never showed up. I now have a warrent out in the State I was arrested in (California) and want to clear this mess up. I do not have money to fly back and forth and turn myself in what should I do.
Help with White Coat Syndrome
By: Theresa Torchio | 01-09-2008
I am a 72 year old female with HBP when I leave the house to go to the Doctors I can feel my tension begin to build up, I have tried everything I cry I sing I yell just get my mind off this visit,Is the Doctor nice? Yes is the visit pleasant Yes, But as soon as that cuff gets near me, its all over we are talking Bad like 189/100, Do I have headaches No,do I get dizzy No am I emotional Yes I just recently went in to the hospital for a catherzation, to get my heart racing, that was corrected, the whole time I was in the hospital when Isaw that BP machine coming down the hall, it all began again 190/100, I cried everytime they took, I had people running all over the place. grabbing my arm and retaking it over and over Please help me I need to go to the Doctore's to get refills for my Meds and I am going crazy because I know what is going to take place on that morning.. I only take 2 pills one is 50mgs Metoprolol 2 xs a day and 1 pill of Simvastin 20mgs. My heart is okay my arteries are okay I weight 137 Lbs and am 5'2" Do I exercise Not regularly, do I sit around all day NO, activity medium
Adopted pet not eating
By: Peggy | 26-08-2008
I just adopted a yorkie from a rescue. I have had him about2 1/2 days. I can't get him to eat except some treats he brought with him. The only time he was interested in food was when my partner was eating cottage cheese. He is fine and his bowel movements are ok. Should I be worried?
Elder care home
By: Douglas Posey | 25-08-2008
If one is caring for two to three elderly clients, Is Texas state licensure required? At wwhat number is licensure required?
Does Cymbalta cause more anxiety
By: jinginjan | 19-08-2008
Does Cymbalta cause more anxiety? I am on 30 mg my doc wants to raise it to 60 mg. My OCD is worse on Cymbalta but i am calmer i dont understand Please help?
He wants to die young.
By: worriedfriend | 03-08-2008
i've made friends with this very friendly man. as i've got to know him better, i have noticed somethings that do not sound healthy to me such as him wanting to die by the age of 40 max. he doesnt want to get married or have children because he has claimed to have tried it once and things didnt work out. he actually wasnt even really married but just dated this girl for a really really really long time. he doesnt visit the doctor even when he is in severe pain and says that he deserves it. he almost never sleeps and claims that his daily 5 mile run keeps him going... he doesnt really open up. he talks about what has happened, but doesnt express his deep feelings about it. he has been through some great challeneges in life. i feel like there is something he is not over. and im very worried about him. when i try and point out that maybe he needs help or his way of thinking is not normal, he tells me that im wrong because he wouldnt lie to himself or "i love being outside of the norm". it seems as if he is in denial about the whole thing... and also that he is very weak emotionally. he breaks down and takes things very hard. he expresses no hatred or negative feelings towards anyone but god and he claims thats because he would rather god take him away than the people he keeps taking out of this life. it seems as though he is trying to run from the reality of life. i've done research on depression but i havent gotten any real results. i dont know what i could do to help him. i am very worried to a point where im thinking about this situation all the time. i have to find a way to get to him and make him understand. i believe he has been goign through this for a while now, not sure exactly how long. but i know its been over three years for sure. any advice? i am willing to do whatever it takes. and is something even wrong or am i over analyzing the situation? there is a lot more to his behavior than i expressed earlier ... i tried to sum it up to the best of my ability. otherwise he is a very very friendly person. one of those friends that you cant help but cherish. always there. always willing to go out of his way for you. i mean, you couldnt ask for more from a friend. he claims to not have very many close friends and has told me that he considers me one. he is very close with his family and does whatever he could for them. but he says that right now its all about them but later in life "i want to be selfish for once" and that's when he wants to end his life ... i really dont get it... please give me any advice or feedback you may have.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
Hair Disorders - Examining Seborrhoeic Dermatitis / Eczema
By: Brian Welsch | 15/10/2008
There are many hair disorders, of various levels of seriousness. In this article, let's examine the hair disorder of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis / Eczema .
Recovering From Laser Eye Surgery
By: Steven Walters | 15/10/2008
Laser eye surgery has become more and more popular in recent years. While the procedure is very safe, most people don't know much about the recovery from LASIK.
Snoring Night – It’s Really Irritating
By: Alien | 15/10/2008
In view of the fact that snoring is usual for each and every individual as we all do it sometimes at certain occasions, it might be had to some extent to interpret if snoring is actually a big problem for you while considering your health.
Snoring Habits – a Sleeping Mayhem
By: Alien | 15/10/2008
Snoring is a sort of sleeping mayhem. It is a sort of respiratory ordered vibration as well as it results in producing sound. This stipulation is reasoned due to thwarted air pressure group in breathing course as well as it happens at the time of sleeping. It is a situation that involves about 20% people all the way through the world.
Beverly Moore, Rn, Cs, Founder of Stilmee, the Leader in Alzheimer Coaching
By: Steve Dubin | 14/10/2008
Serves as Keynote Speaker at Caregiver Conference in Orlando
Amazing Laser Eye Surgery
By: Steven Walters | 14/10/2008
Laser eye surgery has been around for quite awhile now, but it is only in the past several years that advancements in LASIK have improved the procedure to the point where it is now one of the most popular elective surgeries in the U.S.
Combined Wrist Blood Pressure & Blood Glucose Meter Vs Food Monitoring Blood Glucose Meter
By: Keith Ong | 14/10/2008
A Combined Wrist Blood Pressure And Blood Glucose Meter is fundamentally a 2-in-1 product that eliminates the need to purchase a Blood Sugar Meter and Blood Pressure Monitor separately. It is most ideal for people with both diabetes (hyperglycemia) and high blood pressure (hypertension) for home use. A Food Monitoring Blood Glucose Meter allows you to manage your blood glucose before and after each meal so that you can be aware of the effects of your food and portion choices, thus make necessa
What is an All-in-one Blood Glucose Meter? | Your Blood Glucose Monitoring Device
By: Keith Ong | 14/10/2008
An All-In-One Blood Glucose Meter is a compact, light-weight and convenient meter that you can place into your backpack, briefcase, suitcase, carrying bag or sport bag where-ever you go. Due to it's convenience, you can now test more often so you can monitor and manage your diabetes (hyperglycemia) closer.
Health 
