In this ever-changing, often chaotic world, taking care of your mental health is absolutely essential to your well-being. There are many different ways to work on improving your mental health, and one of the most common (and recommended) ways of doing so is by embarking on the journey of mental health counseling and finding a therapist you trust.
Finding a therapist, however, may feel like an incredibly overwhelming task – especially if you are already struggling to manage your mental health. For those who have never ventured into the world of mental health care, you might have no idea where to start. There are so many articles, databases, and posts out there about therapy.
Thankfully, there are easy and trusted ways to begin looking for a therapist. For those seeking a therapist in Baltimore or a psychologist in Baltimore County, seeking help from Triumph Behavioral Health’s team of mental health practitioners at our Maryland wellness center is an excellent choice.
What Makes a Good Therapist?
For those seeking a therapist in Towson and the surrounding areas, you are probably wondering… What should I actually be looking for in a therapist? It is important to seek out a person that you connect with and that you can imagine yourself being comfortable sharing vulnerable, potentially painful truths with. Regardless of the personality you are seeking in your therapist, there are some crucial aspects to consider when selecting a therapist.
A Good Therapist Is a Licensed Therapist
All bonafide therapists must have a license to practice therapy. Regardless of the type of degree your therapist has (PhDs, PsyDs, LCSW, LCPC, and nurse practitioners like CRNPS are all common ones), they have to have a license that is up-to-date in the state they are practicing in.
Having a license ensures that an objective state board has looked at and tested a person’s credentials and has deemed them to be skilled enough to practice mental health care. If someone does not have a license, do not pursue therapy from them. If you’re wondering, “How do I find the best therapist near me?” be sure they practice in the state you live in.
A Good Therapist Can Provide the Service You Need
There are so many types of therapy available to us these days. There is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Art Therapy, Animal Therapy, EMDR Therapy, and so much more. Before attempting to find a specific therapy, do some investigation into the type of therapy you’re looking for. Do you suffer from a mood disorder, like depression or bipolar disorder? Do you need a mental health practitioner well-versed in women’s mental health issues, like PMDD or postpartum depression?
Having an idea of the type of therapy you are seeking will help you know what sort of therapist to contact. Oftentimes, therapists will list the therapy they’re trained to administer on their profiles. The good news is that most therapists are skilled in more than one type of therapy, and they may blend different types of therapy to create the right treatment plan for you.
If you are not sure where to begin, don’t worry. Healthcare professionals like our team of nurse practitioners at Triumph Behavioral Health can work with you to find the treatment plan that best suits your needs.
A Good Therapist Is Within Your Budget (Or Accepts Your Insurance)
Unless you are using insurance, therapy can be quite expensive. Without insurance, therapy tends to cost $100 to $200 per session. Several things influence this price, including where the therapist is located (therapy tends to be more expensive in places where the cost of living is higher, like cities), the type of specialization the therapist has, and how experienced they are. Those seeking out the best therapists in Maryland should be aware of these potentially high costs. If you do have insurance, however, many plans cover mental health treatment.
With insurance, therapy can be significantly cheaper (the average copay is $20 to $50 a session). Of course, make sure that your mental healthcare provider of choice accepts your insurance, and gain an understanding of what your plan covers. For instance, some insurance plans only give you a certain amount of sessions that are covered. You also may have to pay up to your plan deductible before the sessions are fully covered.
How Much Is a Therapy Session in Maryland?
Whether or not you have insurance makes a big impact on the price of therapy in Maryland. You are the only one who can decide how much you should spend on therapy while still ensuring you can cover other needs – like rent, groceries, and more. Make sure you know that therapy is either within your financial means or that your insurance can cover the majority of the cost for the amount of time you feel that you need for your Maryland counseling.
How to Find a Therapist in Maryland
There are many different ways to go about seeking Maryland counseling. You could simply search “therapist near me” into your search engine bar. You could also visit a website like Psychology Today and choose a therapist from their database. For those looking for a Maryland wellness center offering some of the best therapists in Maryland, definitely consider booking with Triumph Behavioral Health’s team of expert mental health practitioners.
If you’re unsure about visiting a therapist’s office (or even setting up a telehealth appointment) and either paying for your appointment or getting your insurance involved, many therapists will offer a 5- to 15-minute free consultation before booking an official appointment. Use this time to get a sense of your potential therapist’s personality, and ask them questions about their treatment style and how they might plan to address some of the issues you are facing. If you don’t feel like it’s a good fit, try someone else! There is more than one therapist in Towson and the surrounding area who can help you.
Although therapy can be overwhelming, especially at first, if you like your therapist and feel like you have a good initial connection, stick it out for at least a couple of months or so before moving on. Healing takes time. Change takes time. Assessing how you want to grow takes time.
You should not expect to leave therapy after your first or second session being completely “better.” For most people, it can take months or even years to see improvement. Be persistent, trust the process, and keep trying. You will find a therapist in Maryland that’s right for you.
Get the Mental Health Care You Need Today
When trying to find a psychologist in Baltimore County, there are plenty of excellent options to choose from. If you’ve asked yourself all the important questions like, “How much is a therapy session in Maryland?” and “Is this therapist licensed?” – You are asking yourself all of the right initial questions.
When looking for therapists who value your mental health above all else and want you to have a happy, productive life, consider Triumph Behavioral Health. Our team of experts will go above and beyond to help you. Contact us today and get started on a life-changing mental health care journey.