Resources
Finding a Therapist
Tips on how to find a therapist in Boise, Idaho
Other resources:
It can be difficult to find an available provider, as well as finding someone who is a good fit for our personal preference and needs. Below are tips on how to find a counselor or therapist that fits your needs.
Before you begin
There are a few ways to find a therapist. I like to share these ideas before you begin reaching out:
If you don’t “click” with a therapist it is totally okay! Be honest with yourself, and your therapist, if you’d like to keep looking. It’s important to make sure the fit feels right!
It’s not uncommon for therapists to provide a 15-20 minute consultation before scheduling the first session. This is a great way to open the conversation, assess the fit, and address any concerns or questions you have (financial, timeline, expectations, schedule, etc). Some clinicians will provide this consultation free of charge - it’s okay to ask!
Once you have some people in mind you’d like to call, make a list of the questions you want to ask off the bat - have your schedule ready. Get yourself your favorite drink, snack or self-care when you sit down to do this - making phone calls can be exhausting, especially if you get confronted with “no” before “yes”. Don’t give up!
Where to look with insurance
I most often refer people to use Psychologytoday.com to find a therapist. You can type your insurance and location into the search tab. From there you can read a little about each therapist, see if they have a waitlist, and check out their website if they have one.
You can also call the number on your insurance card, and ask for a list of psychologists or therapists in your area who are currently taking new clients. Once you have a list, you can google them, read a little about them, or get whatever information you can. Depending on insurance, you can also usually find a search feature to do this online in your insurance account.
Where to look without insurance
If you do not have insurance, you could also reach out to groups or agencies in your area. These are not individual therapists, but a community health center or agency with multiple therapists. You can ask them if they have a “sliding scale” pay rate, where the amount they charge you is based on your income. This can be a great option, and if they do not, they may send you in the right direction.
