The Right Fit: Finding the Right Therapist for Your OCD Treatment

There’s an old saying in the therapy world that finding the right therapist is like finding a great pair of shoes. Sometimes, the first pair you try on fits like a glove. Other times, you have to try on a few pairs before you find “the one”. Finding the right therapist is no different. 

If you’ve been in therapy before or have searched for a therapist, you’ve no doubt come across a variety of therapists, types of providers, specialties, sub-specialties and more. Some provide in-office care. Others provide online/virtual therapy. Still others may offer both. And then there’s the whole issue of personality, and that “fit” or “connection”.

With so many options, choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming. What do all the credentials mean? Does it really matter? Closing your eyes and picking one may feel tempting but will probably just leave you feeling frustrated and still searching. What’s a potential client to do? 

The good news is that you can find a good fit. Knowing what to look for and what to ask can help you find the right therapist for your OCD treatment. These tips can help you find “the one”.

Start Here

If you’ve never had to seek out a therapist, you may not even know where to find one. 

There’s always the tried-and-true, asking a trusted friend, family member, or even your healthcare provider. If you’re not comfortable doing that, or if you don’t find what you need there, finding your therapist might just be a click away.

With the internet, finding potential therapists can be as easy as:

• doing a search (e.g., “therapists near me who treat OCD”)
• searching therapist directories (e.g., state licensing boards often have a search option)
• searching your insurance provider list
• accessing online therapy programs (e.g., StopOCD)

When you check out these listings, you’ll quickly notice that there are different types of therapists, different specialties and therapeutic approaches. And that’s just the professional differences. You’ll also find therapists from different cultures, some who are bilingual, work with specific populations, and more. In other words, therapists are as individual as the clients they serve. So, you have lots to choose from, and while it can feel overwhelming, it’s a good thing. You want to find someone who fits what you need. 

So, let’s start with all those licenses and letters you see. 

Understand the Therapist ABCs

You’ve probably noticed that there is not one single type of license or degree for therapists. For example, you may see credentials such as:

• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) 
• Licensed Psychologist
• And others, depending on the state/country

These credentials reflect the therapist’s type of license and/or discipline. 

What these credentials tell you about the therapist is that:

• They are licensed to independently practice as a mental health clinician in their respective state or jurisdiction. 
• They hold a minimum of a master’s degree in their respective mental health discipline. Some disciplines require a doctoral degree or advanced practice degree. (Note that specific licensure requirements may vary from state to state, country to country.)
• They have completed thousands of post-graduate supervision hours prior to licensure
• They are bound by professional standards of practice and conduct as established by their respective licensing boards. 

Licensing boards often have a free public option for determining the status of a provider’s license. You may also find more specific information about that type of license. 

Understand Their Experience with OCD

Having a license means that a therapist has met the minimum requirements to practice in the mental health space. What it can’t tell you is where their expertise or specialties might lie. For example, one therapist might specialize in OCD. Another might choose to specialize in childhood disorders or substance disorders. It’s not a reflection of one being “better” but rather a matter of where one’s expertise lies. 

One of the questions you want to ask a prospective therapist is whether they are experienced in treating OCD and how they approach treatment. 

Some questions to ask might include:

• What are your areas of expertise? 
• What is your experience in treating OCD specifically?
• What specialized training do you have for treating OCD?
• What is your experience with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD?

Treatment of OCD requires a very specific therapeutic approach that not every therapist may be skilled in providing. ERP is recognized as the gold standard for treating OCD. There are other therapeutic approaches for those that may be unwilling or unable to engage in ERP. The takeaway here is to determine what the therapist’s experience is with OCD and how they approach treatment. 

The Wish List

Before you schedule an appointment with a therapist, take time to think about the type of therapist you might prefer. We all have preferences and factors that help us feel comfortable. Here are a few things to ask yourself:

• Do I appreciate the use of humor? 
• Do I like a structured, directive approach or am I more comfortable with a less structured “flow”? 
• Do I prefer a younger or newer-to-the-profession therapist or more seasoned therapist?
• Do I have preferences related to gender or orientation?
• How important is cultural background to me? 

Thinking about your own needs and preferences can help you narrow down your choices to those that align with your needs. 

It’s also important to think about the practical side of therapy. Time, place, location, and schedule can all play a role in your choice and experience. After all, choosing someone whose schedule doesn’t work with yours is a sure-fire recipe for missed appointments and frustration. 

Some of the practical things to ask a potential therapist about include:

• What are your office hours?
• Do you provide services in-office, virtually, or do I have options for both?
• What are your fees? Do you take my insurance (if that’s a factor for you)?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• How do I schedule appointments?

Of course, none of these things are necessarily dealbreakers but can influence whether someone is a good fit.  Asking these questions can help you narrow down the choices and contribute to a more focused selection.

Make A Connection

Treatment approach aside, one of the most important factors in successful treatment is the relationship that develops between the therapist and their client (some disciplines use the term “patient”). Known as the “therapeutic alliance”, this connection is the cornerstone of therapy and has been consistently shown to be critical in treatment outcomes. 

When you meet your therapist for the first time, it’s important to be honest and share information that is important to your situation. Expect a lot of questions. Knowing what you’re experiencing helps the therapist in getting to know you and in planning treatment. It’s also OK for you to ask questions too. After all, you’ll be working together doing some deep work and it’s important that you establish a rapport and level of trust. 

Two questions that might help you figure out if a therapist might be a good fit for you on a personal level are:

• Do I feel comfortable enough with this person to open up and share what I feel?
• Do I feel like this therapist understands my experience?

When you find “the fit”, you’ll know. 

Moving Forward

By doing a little exploration and asking some questions, you can find a great therapist to help you in your journey to healing. When you’re ready to seek out a therapist, look for credible sites and even ask trusted friends or even your doctor for a recommendation. 

And, if you’re worried about making time to see a therapist, online therapy can be a viable, affordable alternative. Online therapy eliminates a lot of common barriers to therapy like location, scheduling, and geographic availability. And, online therapy has been proven to be as effective as in-office therapy for many mental health issues, including OCD.

StopOCD has a team of expert therapists ready to work with you to understand your unique situation and get you on the path to healing and wellness. If you’re ready to find your fit, StopOCD therapists are here to help. 

References

1. Prusiński, T. (2022). The strength of alliance in individual psychotherapy and patient's wellbeing: The relationships of the therapeutic alliance to psychological wellbeing, satisfaction with life, and flourishing in adult patients attending individual psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827321/full

2. Feusner, J. D., Farrell, N. R., Kreyling, J., McGrath, P. B., Rhode, A., Faneuff, T., Lonsway, S., Mohideen, R., Jurich, J. E., Trusky, L., & Smith, S. M. (2022). Online Video Teletherapy Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Exposure and Response Prevention: Clinical Outcomes From a Retrospective Longitudinal Observational Study. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(5), e36431. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35587365/