By Cecilie Ott | Jun 15, 2021 | Therapy and Treatment
Searching for the right therapist can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time. Much like hunting for the right doctor or coach, therapy requires a level of trust, comfort, and alignment. Whether you're beginning your healing journey or just looking for better support, these five insider tips from therapist Daniella Tempesta, LCSW, will help you navigate the process with more confidence and clarity.
Friends, family, colleagues, or even your primary care doctor can be a great starting point. Personal referrals often act as a pre-screening process and can help you avoid trial-and-error.
If you're dealing with something specific—like OCD, trauma, ADHD, addiction, or an eating disorder—it’s important to find a therapist trained in those areas. Avoid generalists who claim to do everything. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and specialization matters.
Psychology Today is a reliable starting point, but don’t judge therapists solely on their headshot or website. Look at credentials, specialties, tone of voice, and then trust your gut. Just skip Yelp—therapy is far more nuanced than restaurant reviews.
Call potential therapists and ask questions like:
This gives you a sense of their vibe, methods, and whether their style resonates with you.
Even the most credentialed therapist might not be a good fit if the connection isn’t there. Research shows that the quality of the therapist-client relationship is one of the strongest predictors of success. Warmth, empathy, and trust matter more than titles or published books.
