How to Find the Best New York Psychotherapists

Finding the best New York psychotherapists is no easy feat. Seeking out a licensed mental health professional to help you on your journey requires significant research and foresight on your part. To complicate matters, New York is a sprawling metropolitan area. There are many psychotherapists to choose from, though only a few may fit with your unique needs. 

It will likely take significant time and effort to find the best fit when it comes to New York psychotherapists. Don’t be disheartened. The good news is that you have an excellent sea of professionals from which to choose. We have put together some tips and tricks to help you hone in on a psychotherapist that will be a good fit for you. 

1. Do your homework

It can be tempting to throw a dart at the classifieds, but you’d be missing out on a lot of potential matches. Start your search online and dig deep. While sites like Psychology Today are a good place to start, we suggest looking beyond that. Visit a potential therapist’s website to learn about their methodology. Even seeing what the therapist actually looks like from photos on their site may help you determine whether you will be comfortable or not around this person. Do they look trustworthy? While you should certainly research credentials and learn more about how a psychotherapist works, it is worthwhile to note if your gut reaction is a bad one.

2. Focus on specialties

Honing in on one good fit amidst a sea of New York psychotherapists is not easy. Start by determining whether or not you need someone with a specialty. If you are seeking out therapy for a very specific issue or condition like trauma or phobia, be sure that the therapists you consider have experience in these areas. Virtually all therapists are experienced in treating anxiety and depression, so the pool of potential matches may be broader for those conditions. Take a look at their educational backgrounds, training, interest and published work. It’s not a bad thing to verify that the information on the therapist’s website is correct. You can also confirm whether a New York psychotherapist is properly licensed and in good standing through the Office of the Professions website. 

3. Find a match

Use your first session to establish whether or not the psychotherapist is a match for you. It is a positive opportunity to connect with this person and to test out how you will potentially interact with them in the future. Note the sound of their voice and how they speak to you. Is it pleasant? Do they sound relaxed and calm or hurried and chaotic? Are they asking you questions? Do you feel comfortable in conversation with them? These can all be key indicators if you two are a match.

After taking the steps above, it can be helpful to schedule an initial consultation with a few of the New York psychotherapists that appeal to you. Use the initial meeting to see how you vibe with each person and to understand what their style is like. With any luck, you’ll find your “one in a million” psychotherapist and start a fruitful, evolving relationship. 

Photo by Morgan Harper Nichols