Q & A: Finding a Therapist

Q: I’ve got an eating disorder and I need a therapist. How do I go about finding one?

A: You might want to begin by asking yourself some simple questions: Do you want to work with a man or woman? Would you like your therapist to be someone about the same age as you or older? How important are the therapist’s location and flexibility in scheduling? If any of these questions are crucial to you, bring them up when you make the initial contact with the therapist on the phone.

Next, take a look at your financial and insurance situation. If you have insurance, check into what kind of reimbursement is available. Some insurance providers cover only therapists that are listed in the company’s network. If your insurance has an "out-of-network" benefit, you can see the therapist of your choice but the reimbursement rate will be lower than "in-network." If you stay "in-network," however, it might be more difficult to get an experienced eating disorders person.

If you can choose your therapist regardless of insurance company lists, get recommendations from people you trust. A good referral can save you time and money. Do you know someone with an eating disorder who has been helped by therapy? Ask either for a referral or inquire whether that therapist could refer you to someone else. If you belong to an eating disorder self-help group, ask people for recommendations. Be creative and think about who might be able to guide you to the right person.

Most therapists are willing to talk on the phone for a few minutes before scheduling a first appointment. In a phone conversation, find out what experience the therapist has working with eating disorders. He or she should have at least 2–3 years experience and have worked with 3–4 different eating disordered clients. The first appointment is a consultation and it’s understood that you’re under no obligation to come back. If you have specific questions about the therapist, or the way he or she approaches treatment, you can ask, but it’s not helpful to turn the consultation into an interview. Instead, let the therapist begin doing therapy with you. That’s your opportunity to find out what it’s like to "work" with this person.

If you come out of the initial consultation knowing you want this person to be your therapist, go back for more sessions. The first six sessions or so are inevitably a "trial run." If your first impression was mistaken, keep searching. Otherwise, you’ve found the right person. If you have reservations after the first session, schedule an appointment with someone else. You can always come back. Here’s the key: Even if you’re referred by someone whose judgment you trust, be selective. Don’t be afraid to see a couple different therapists before choosing someone with whom you really want to work .