How to Find a Therapist in Cincinnati

Finding the right therapist can seem like an overwhelming experience. Even harder when you’re already feeling anxious or depressed like most people are when they are reaching out for therapy. Let’s break down what to look for in a therapist and how to find them. 

Before we get into the nitty gritty please know, therapy works best if you trust your therapist and have an overall positive relationship with him or her. Even if you saw the “best” therapist in the world for your needs, if you do not like or trust that therapist, it is unlikely that you would experience the degree of progress that you need and deserve. With this in mind, please know that it is totally normal to see several therapists before finding one that best suits you. 

Now let’s figure out how to find that magical unicorn of a therapist for you!

Why do you need a therapist?

First, think about WHY you want to start seeing a therapist. Any therapist can help with general stress reduction, anxiety and depression. But most therapists have at least one speciality area, so it’s good to think, “why do I feel stressed/anxious/depressed/etc.?” Your answer might help you find a specialist. Here is a (very short) list of reasons people seek therapy:

• Relationship issues

• Symptoms of depression or anxiety

• Traumatic experience 

• Difficult childhood

• Anxiety related to parenting

• Low self-esteem

• Drug or alcohol use/abuse

• Medical issues causing stress (your own or a family members)

• Difficulty with major life change (new relationship, moving, new job)

What matters in a therapist for you?

If the “perfect” therapist existed, what would that look like? Think about your priorities in a therapist. Here is a general list of things that may or may not be priorities for you:

• Location

  • If you live in Blue Ash and work downtown, I would recommend looking near those and other nearby locations.

  • Near Blue Ash: Montgomery, Kenwood, Sycamore Township, Sharonville, Deer Park, Indian Hill.

  • Near Downtown: Northern Kentucky, Walnut Hills, Clifton.

• In-person or virtual

  • There are pros and cons for each setting. Some therapists only offer virtual (aka telehealth), others offer both. Personally, I offer in-person and virtual. Many clients choose to meet in person, but use virtual as a back up if they can’t come into the office.

  • If you choose virtual, make sure your therapist is licensed in the state you will be having sessions. Our ethics dictate that YOU have to be physically located in the state we are licensed. For instance, if you live in Northern Kentucky, work in Kenwood and plan doing virtual sessions on your lunch break - you want a therapist licensed in OHIO.

• Availability at a specific time/day

  • Finding a therapist after work hours and/or on the weekend can be very difficult. If you can arrange time with your employer to meet during regular work hours, you will expand your options for great therapists in the Cincinnati area.

• Gender

• Age

• Education/License (Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist)

• Identifies as LGBTQ+ or is LGBTQ+ affirming 

• Cost/accept insurance

  • Using insurance definitely cuts down costs, but many therapists are switching to “self-pay.” If you want to know more about why, check out our blog about it.

  • If you are wondering why therapy costs so much, we also have a blog about that!

• Speciality (from section above)

• Therapeutic approach (see below for more information) 

As much as I wish everyone could find their therapist unicorn, I cannot make that guarantee. So I recommend identifying your TOP THREE priorities when searching for a therapist. That will help you narrow down the options. 

What type of therapy do you want?

It’s okay if you don’t know but here is a VERY brief explanation of common types of therapy. There are many, many more not listed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Nearly all therapists use CBT to different degrees. The basis of it is to teach you how to understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. If you really like structure, or “homework” you may want a therapist that advertises as a CBT therapist.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - EMDR requires training beyond graduate school. EMDR is best known for its effectiveness with trauma, but research shows it also benefits individuals with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Client/Person-Centered - Most therapists use this approach to varying levels. This is what most people think of when they think of “talk therapy.” You come in with a concern/issue and the therapist does his/her best to understand you completely.

Holistic - Holistic therapists work on the entire individual - mind, body, and spirit.

Somatic - Somatic therapists help you connect your brain and body. For instance, they can help someone with anxiety really notice how anxious thoughts change how the body feels (increased heart rate, muscle tension, etc.). 

*Note that many therapists use multiple types of treatment techniques. For instance a CBT therapist may also have a Holistic framework or a Person-centered therapist may also offer EMDR.

Now start searching!

There are several ways to search for a therapist. If comfortable, start by asking family, friends, coworkers, etc. Sometimes they personally know a therapist or go to therapy themselves and can give recommendations. I often give a list of recommendations to my clients for their family and friends - I’m happy to help!

You can also try a general internet search using keywords you identified such as: “Cincinnati counselor EMDR trauma childhood” or “Montgomery therapist CBT poor work performance.” 

There are several “directories” for therapists online: TherapyDen, GoodTherapy, and Psychology Today are the most popular and have the most therapist listings. Pros: great way to search by speciality, location, and insurance provider. Cons: not all therapists have profiles on any directory, so if you’re looking for a “unicorn” he/she may not be there!

Last step

Reach out to 2-3 therapists to see if they meet your needs. Ask questions if their profile or website doesn’t tell you everything you need or want to know. Once you get connected and start sessions, give yourself and the therapist 2-3 sessions to decide if they are a good fit for you. If the first therapist you try does not work out for you, that is normal! Try another one, and another and another. It is important for your growth and progress to feel comfortable and confident with your therapist, so take the time needed to find the right one for you!