Alena Gerst, LCSW RYT
I was in my 20s when I found my first therapist in NYC.
At the time, I had two criteria:
First, while I was willing to stretch my budget because I knew this was an important investment, they still had to be affordable for me through feast and famine.
Second, they needed to be familiar with the challenging life of an actor. At the time, I was a professional actor, and I felt strongly that I needed someone who “got it.”
Finding my therapeutic match turned out to be harder than I thought! Plenty of therapists were simply too expensive for me back then. Many were in neighborhoods or were available at times, that just weren’t going to work for me. And some seemed, well, let’s just say “a little off.”
Finding a Therapist in NYC Took Time and Perseverance
This is a big city with a lot of therapists to choose from. Finding the right NYC therapist definitely took some time and perseverance. But ultimately I did find someone who became my therapist for years. He supported me through the ups and downs of my career, through various romantic relationships, friendship ups, and downs, my engagement and marriage. Eventually, he encouraged me to graduate school after 10 years in show business to become a therapist myself.
After supporting me through so many challenges and meeting so many of my goals, he then saw me on to my next therapist.
If you find yourself embarking on the daunting task of looking for a therapist in NYC, here are 5 things to consider in your search:
Will you use insurance or private pay?
A good place to start is to ask yourself how you want to pay for therapy.
If you are hoping to use insurance, we have moved into a time where there are more options than there used to be with various online platforms making it easier for therapists to accept insurance. But there are some important considerations if you want to use insurance, for both in-network and out-of-network benefits.
You May Have a Deductible
Keep in mind that you may have a deductible to meet before you can use your mental health benefits. This means you would need to pay your therapist an agreed-upon fee upfront for your sessions until you reach a certain dollar amount before your benefits kick in. Some therapists offer services that can find this out for you. I recommend you contact your insurance company yourself anyway, to make sure you can manage your expectations about your benefits and avoid unpleasant billing surprises.
Limited Number of Sessions Allowed Per Your Insurance Guidelines
Additionally, keep in mind that if you use your insurance, your insurance company can dictate how many sessions you can have, and can also request your therapist provide their notes so they can monitor your progress. These are among the reasons many therapists opt out of accepting insurance.
Paying Out-of-Pocket
If you are willing to pay your therapist out of pocket, be sure to ask the therapist before you schedule with them what their fee range is. It’s never a good feeling to go through a 20-minute free consultation, and want to move forward with the therapist, only to learn that they are out of your price range.
Reduced Fee or Sliding Scale
Many therapists (but not all) offer a reduced fee for those who need it, based on their own criteria and caseloads.
This is a hard thing to ask of a lot of people. Don’t be shy.
Therapists often talk about the irony of being in a “caring profession” but also needing to develop their own skills in taking care of themselves financially. If a therapist cannot meet their own expenses based on what they can afford, it is their responsibility to tell you. Allow this to be the beginning of a relationship in which you don’t put your needs last!
Do you want therapy to be telehealth, in-person, or hybrid?
Telehealth has definitely changed the accessibility of psychotherapy in NYC and has many benefits. NYC therapy practices have exploded with the newfound ability to provide therapy during the workday with clients not having to add time-consuming commutes to and from therapy.
Most NYC therapists offer telehealth options, and many also offer in-person and/or hybrid appointments. There is something to be said about the time you spend mentally preparing yourself for therapy on the commute to the session, and the time you reflect while commuting after the appointment. Ask yourself if you prioritize the in-person dynamic, and be realistic about whether you will actually get yourself there each week.
Some therapists talk about how clients request in-person appointments, only to make it to the office once or twice a month, and then come to enjoy the convenience of telehealth after they have gotten started. You can always change your mind, but be sure to talk with your therapist about your options, and if they have different fee structures for in-person, telehealth, and hybrid.
What are you hoping to work on with your therapist in NYC?
We don’t expect you to know the difference between various theoretical orientations and modalities of psychotherapy. But it doesn’t hurt to consider if you are looking for more support around your present circumstances, goals, and barriers, or if you feel the need to talk more about your childhood and family of origin, trauma, addiction-related challenges, and career stressors.
It’s also ok if you need to talk about all of the above! But as you search for your therapist, keep in mind what your priorities are, as different therapists have different strengths and areas of expertise.
Make Sure You Understand the Therapist’s Policies
Another thing to consider on this topic is the therapist’s policies. Most therapists have policies regarding cancellations, late payments, declined credit cards, and whether they require weekly sessions or allow for less frequent appointments.
Many therapists offer a free initial consultation to discuss your goals and invite you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to bring these questions to the consultation so you are not caught off guard as you choose your therapist, particularly if you are concerned about expenses or need very flexible scheduling.
Where to start looking
Not everyone wants to see the same therapist as their friend.
But if you are willing to consider it, friend recommendations can be a great way to find a good fit therapist. At the very least, if your friend is having a positive experience in therapy, perhaps their therapist can offer recommendations to colleagues.
Often good therapists know other good therapists. And NYC therapists tend to be well-connected and enjoy making referrals within their network.
Compatibility With Your Therapist in NYC
The single most important factor in successful therapy is something we call the “therapeutic alliance.” Put simply, this refers to the personal connection and trust you build with your therapist.
You should be able to get a pretty good feel for a therapist during the initial consultation. If you don’t feel like a therapist can relate to you or uses a tone that does not sit well with you, even if they check all the boxes on paper, keep looking. Don’t give up!
Ready to Connect with Your Ideal Therapist in NYC? Let’s Get Started!
There are many options to choose from when looking for a NYC therapist. In fact, the choices can seem overwhelming because there are just so many of us! But if you have a consultation and don’t think that person will be a good fit, it’s ok to ask them if they have other recommendations with a specific specialty or a policy that will fit your needs. Therapists want to help, and if they can’t help you, even after you start working together, don’t be surprised if that therapist offers to help you find someone who can.
- Learn more about our skilled team of therapists here.
- Fill out our convenient online contact form.
- Begin the journey to a life free from anxiety!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Inside Psychotherapy, NYC.
In addition to Anxiety Therapy, we offer a wide variety of therapy services designed to meet you where you are in your life. We also offer services both online and in person. We also utilize several different treatment modalities including CBT, Eclectic Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Our services include therapy for:
