Does your insurance have a search for doctors? The way I've typically narrowed my options down is search for therapist either through insurance or through loca

Does your insurance have a search for doctors? The way I've typically narrowed my options down is search for therapist either through insurance or through location (google maps). Therapists often work in environments with other therapists, so I try to find those places, as they typically will have a variety of therapists to either ask about through the phone (giving your background information, what issues you are struggling with, what you are looking to resolve), or they will have a website that details each counselor's specializations and experience. When you call one of these places, they typically have a helpful receptionist that will ask you background questions about yourself, and of whom you can ask questions towards about the practice, the practice's goals and philosophy, and the counselors that work there. This process, I find, is the fastest and most comfortable (safest) way of finding a therapist. You don't want to hold off finding a counselor until the only options left are those 'no-choice' type options, because in my experience those places are bottom of the barrel in terms of how helpful they can be for someone that isn't dealing with issues that are truly tremendous issues to deal with. I would advise taking one day to search through your insurance provider. Another possibly to print out a list of counselors within some radius of your location you are comfortable traveling to. Don't feel like you have to do all of this in one day. Mark down which places 'sound' the best to you, whether it's a good location or the practice sounds professional. I understand how overwhelmed one can be with not having all the information you need to have to find a counselor before you have it, but following advice that sounds like common sense to you can be helpful. I know I have travel issues, so location and ease of travel has been a key thing for me in the past to find a counselor - I want to make sure I'm not going to get lost on the way there. Once you have your choices narrowed down to about 5 or 10, start looking for websites for the locations individually. If the backgrounds of the counselors are listed, take note of the ones that make the most sense to you. Call those places, maybe only make one phone call a day or every other day. Don't feel pressured into signing up for anything if it doesn't sound right to you. It's common when booking a first appointment to have to use a credit card, as many places will charge you if you cancel before some predefined amount of time (typically 24-48 hours). Take it step by step. Just do a little at a time. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break, and come back to it when you feel ready to approach the next step.