3 Quick Tips for Finding an Evanston Therapist (Yes, it can be that easy!)

Apartment Therapy ranked Evanston, Illinois as one of the coolest suburbs in 2019. This lakefront community, a mere 13 miles north of Chicago, America’s third-largest city, claims home to a world-class university, exquisite cuisine, gorgeous green spaces, museums, and myriad opportunities for outdoor activities.  

Yet, with all of these people and activities, it’s still easy to feel lonely in a crowd. How do you find a counselor/therapist in Evanston who can help you manage the anxiety of meeting new people or transitioning through a major life event? In our practice in the Evanston/greater Chicago area, we are here to walk beside you.  

Here are our best tips for finding a therapist like us who will be a great fit.

1. Do a little online digging  

Check out the therapists’ website

You can find out so much good information. Take a look at our website here. As part of your investigation, read the therapists’ “About Me” page. Get a glimpse of what they are passionate about and if that resonates with you. Do you like their vibe? You can see your therapists’ credentials and experience on their websites. You’ll confirm that they have been well-trained and have the expertise to help you reach your mental wellness goals, and have spent time working with others just like you.

See their areas of specialization

Is one of their areas of specialization the issue you are dealing with? If you are looking for someone who can help you manage the difficulties in your marriage, check to see if the therapist concentrates on relationships. At Evanston Counseling, we also focus on motherhood, women dealing with an empty nest, young adults finding their way in the world, and those who live with a chronic illness or the pain of gastrointestinal issues. Reach out to us if you would like to talk more about any one of our areas of focus.

Discover the services offered

Are you anxious and lonely and want to feel more in control of your life? Cognitive-behavioral therapy, one of the services we offer, may help you to reframe your thinking. After working with us and doing CBT, many clients feel huge shifts in how they feel and relate to others.  

Would you like to experience a different level of connection and comfort during therapy? You might want to work with Bailey, our trained therapy dog. She will greet you, soothe you and help you feel at ease. You can choose the level and type of interaction you would like to have with Bailey.  Pet-assisted therapy is one of the unique services we offer to help patients battling anxiety find support and reassurance.   

In our Evanston/Chicagoland practice, we also offer our clients relationship therapy, and hypnotherapy, and hypnosis. This last service may not be what you think and is highly effective!

You may meet with us in person or online.

In your therapist search, make sure to investigate the services offered. You will want to know how the therapist will work with you.

Read the therapists’ reviews

Do you read the reviews of a product on Amazon before purchasing it? Choosing a therapist is no different! To find what a therapist’s clients have to say about them, visit healthgrades.com. This website lists the address, pertinent information about a therapist (i.e. whether they are accepting new clients), and client reviews. Clients share the type of rapport they have with a therapist or the context of the therapeutic relationship. Some clients will speak of their struggles and the therapist’s ability to help them better manage their lives.  

2. Inquire about payment options

Covering the financial cost of therapy can be a huge concern for clients. Does your therapist take your insurance?  And if not, what services do they offer to help you get reimbursed for any out-of-network benefits? We aren’t contracted with any insurance plans, but we connect our clients with a company who will help you get reimbursed quickly and easily for your out-of-network benefits.  We can guide you in what you need to ask your insurance company to determine what they will pay for mental health services.

Be sure to check out our upcoming blog on what you need to ask, when you call to verify your benefits. You will get all of the information you need to find out before your first session.  

3. Schedule a time to chat

Finding a therapist is akin to starting a dating relationship. In the beginning, it is especially important to chat and to get to know one another. You can learn a lot about a person from a simple conversation. In our practice, we offer a free, 15-minute consultation, which you can book here. If your online digging brought up questions for you, feel free to ask them during our consultation. We would be happy to answer them.  

In this New York Times article, they suggest asking the following questions of a prospective therapist:

1. What do you enjoy most about counseling?

2. Which school did you attend (You can confirm their credentials.)

3. Ask about their areas of specialization. Note how they respond when you mention your issue.

4. Does the therapist have a therapist or a professional group they belong to for growth and accountability? Has this person “done their work?”

Don’t forget about that dating analogy. If you feel like you are getting “red flags” after a chat with a therapist, move on! Even if you start therapy and begin to feel uneasy with a counselor, you can choose to leave and seek out someone else. You have that choice.  

The right therapist for you can help you get back into the game. Going out with friends, meeting new people, beating your anxiety, can become your new reality.