Choosing a therapist is an important step towards getting well. And finding a therapist is not something that can be undertaken by just looking in the yellow pages. This can be the single most important step towards healing yourself and should not be undertaken lightly.

A good therapist is like a good lover. It is someone who you have a rapport with, and someone who you trust. If you cannot be open with your therapist, then you will not tell him or her everything, and that is counter-productive. Your therapist is like your new best friend, or maybe an even more important figure.

There are two methods towards finding a therapist. The first is to call your insurance company. You may need to do this if you want your therapy to be covered by your health insurance. They will ask you a few questions and give you the name of someone they work with. This person will be a specialist in the symptoms you have described, but they may not come with much recommendation.

The second method is to talk to your doctor, your clergy, or friends who you trust, and ask them if they recommend anybody. They might recommend a couple of people, and you can pick one. Sit down for an intake session and talk with the person. Ask if they work with a psychiatrist, what their qualifications are, anything else you think is important in getting to know and trust them. If you aren't feeling comfortable with the person, try someone else. Eventually, you will find someone who you can work with. But don't settle, make sure you find what you are looking for.