In Part One of this guide, John Pajarillaga, a Doxa counselor, covered how to start your search, what specialization to look for, and how to weigh demographic preferences when choosing a therapist in Mississippi. In Part Two, he walks through the final three steps.
4. Trust your gut
Another way you can determine if a therapist is a good fit for you is by trusting your gut based on your first impression about that therapist. First impressions matter. And you can learn a lot about a therapist if you visit their website and check out their therapist profile. If they have more than one profile across different therapist directories, take a look at those too.
The way a therapist writes on their website tells you about their communication style and tone. What they write about shows you what issues matter to them. Even the color and layout of a website reveals aspects of a therapist’s personality. Every detail acts as a context clue to help you decide if that therapist is a good fit.
Every therapist also has at least one profile picture or introductory video on their website. When you look at their pictures, ask yourself: “Are they smiling? Do they seem warm and approachable? Is this someone I can trust and open up to?”
Going to therapy is a deeply personal experience. Your therapist will witness your biggest successes and failures — and sometimes be the only person you’ve told your deepest struggles. Because of how vulnerable therapy can be, trust your gut. If your first impression is negative, that therapist isn’t right for you. Move on.
5. Can you afford them?
Therapy can cost $100–200 per session depending on where you live. Unless you can pay out of pocket, you’ll likely need to use insurance. I don’t recommend making cost your main consideration — you could exclude a lot of good therapists that way — but realistically it will be your second or third priority.
Call your insurance company or check their website to find out what mental health benefits you have. If therapy is covered, find out how much your insurance covers and what your out-of-pocket responsibility is. Some therapists offer a sliding scale fee based on income, and some reserve pro-bono spots as a way of giving back. You can find rates and insurance information on a therapist’s website, profile, or by calling or emailing them directly.
6. Availability
When you’re free doesn’t always match up with when a therapist sees clients. Some counselors work standard 9am–5pm hours Monday through Friday. Others alternate morning and evening slots or see clients on weekends. Check a therapist’s website or profile for their hours. Some even share their calendar so you can see available time slots directly. If that information isn’t listed, simply call or email to ask.
Conclusion
To summarize both parts of this guide, here’s what to keep in mind when searching for a therapist in Mississippi:
- Start looking — Google, directories, word of mouth
- Focus on specialization — find someone who works on your issues
- Consider demographic preferences — race, gender, age, religion
- Trust your gut — first impressions matter
- Consider cost and insurance coverage
- Check availability
I hope this guide helps you find the right fit. Feel free to reach out to us at Doxa if you think I or one of our other Doxa counselors might be a good fit for you. Trust your gut — and good luck with your search.
John Pajarillaga is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor at Doxa Renewal Clinic in Ridgeland, MS.
Doxa Renewal Clinic serves Jackson, Madison, and Ridgeland, MS.