Finding the Right Therapist: A Guide for Busy Professionals

Russ Powell
Apr 24
4 min read

Updated: Apr 25

“Life is difficult.” –M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled

That's how Scott Peck begins his book, and honestly, it's one of the truest things I've ever read. The whole quote goes on to say:

“This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

I've carried that quote with me for years. It reminds me that struggle isn't something to avoid—it's something to meet head-on. And one of the most reliable supports I've found for doing just that is therapy. Not self-help books. Not podcasts. Not another mindfulness newsletter. Therapy.

Now, therapy can sound daunting. But here's what helped me shift that mindset: I once heard Scott Peck refer to therapy as a “legitimate shortcut to personal growth.” That phrase has always stuck with me. When done well, therapy accelerates your progress, deepens your insight, and helps you get unstuck faster than going it alone.

Friends often ask me: How do I find a good therapist? What I think they're really asking is: Where do I start? Who can I trust? How do I know this won't be a waste of time and money? Finding the right therapist takes work, but if you're willing to engage the process, it can change your life.

Here's what I've learned about how to do this well.

Start With Your Why

Before you start scrolling directories or asking for referrals, pause. Ask yourself: Why now? What am I hoping to work on? You don't need a perfect answer, but even a rough sketch helps. It might be burnout, anxiety, work stress, relationships, or just a sense that things could be better.

Get clear enough to communicate your needs.

Where to Look

A few tried-and-true ways to identify strong candidates:

Ask your physician for referrals.
Check your employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Look at local university psychology departments.
Try the APA's Psychologist Locator.
Browse your insurance network for mental health providers.

Credentials Are Just the Start

A good therapist has the right licenses and training. But you want someone experienced with your specific challenge. Not all therapists are good. Some are rigid. Some lack self-awareness. Some won't challenge you. Be picky.

What to Look For

Clear Ethical Boundaries: Clear role-definitions build safety and trust.
An Emphasis on Responsibility: Good therapy helps you own your choices in an empowering way.
Growth Over Quick Fixes: If someone promises immediate results, run.
Healing and Growth: Good therapy recognizes that healing from difficult experiences or managing symptoms may need to come before personal growth. Look for a therapist who understands both aspects and can meet you where you are.
Respect for Your Whole Self: If spirituality matters to you, look for a therapist who respects that.
Reflection, Not Rescue -- They're not there to fix you; they're there to help you fix yourself.

That last bullet represents a strong bias of mine. As Carl Rogers, father of humanistic psychology, once put it:

“In my early professional years I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?”

[Notice the shift from therapist as “fixer,” treating the other as an object that’s broken, to therapist as “skillful-companion” that treats the patient as a smart, motivated, and capable human.]

A Few Key Questions

When you find someone you're considering, ask questions. A good therapist will welcome them. Here are the one, IMHO, that are most crucial:

I've been struggling with [insert issue]. What experience do you have helping with this?
How does your approach work, in practice, to help someone like me?
How will we track progress?
What might our work together look like over time? Some therapy approaches are time-limited with specific goals, while others may be more open-ended. How do you typically approach treatment planning?
Is there strong research backing this approach?
What do you charge? Do you accept insurance?
How would you describe your style?

It's Also About the Fit

Credentials matter. But so does chemistry. Do you feel heard? Respected? Challenged in a good way? Trust your gut.

How to Know It's Working

What might you expect from the first few sessions? They can sometimes feel uncomfortable or challenging as you begin to address difficult topics. Over time, though, you should notice changes—perhaps in how you think about problems, how you relate to others, or how you manage emotions. If you're not sensing movement, bring it up. Therapy is a partnership.

About the Money

Good therapy can be expensive. Many plans offer coverage. Some therapists offer sliding-scale options. If it helps you live with more freedom, less suffering, and clearer purpose? Worth the investment.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right therapist takes work. But the right one can help you grow, heal, and get unstuck in ways that ripple through every part of your life.

Sources

Sources I leaned on for this post include:

American Psychological Association, "How to choose a psychologist"
National Alliance on Mental Illness, "Ten Questions to Ask Your Psychotherapist"
NPR's Guide to Finding a Therapist, "A step-by-step guide to finding a therapist"
Peck, M. Scott – The Road Less Traveled
Rogers, Carl – On Becoming a Person

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