Finding a Therapist in Seattle
As a Seattle native, I believe my city is one of the most beautiful in the country. When I was younger, I enjoyed mountain hiking, boating, and swimming in Lake Washington, and, as I got older, theater, dance, book shops, and movies. But living in a beautiful city does not necessarily equate to happiness. We live in a busy, crowded metropolis where traffic is not limited to morning and evening rush hours, and the Seattle Freeze can cause folks who already have difficulty connecting to people to feel lonely and isolated.
You may have felt the need to reach out to a therapist in Seattle for a while. That self-help book you thought might help didn’t. Friends and family want to help, but you feel like a burden to them. You know it’s time to contact a professional.
Tips to Find a Therapist in Seattle
As an anxiety and trauma therapist, I have some suggestions on how to find a therapist in Seattle:
1. Ask your support network - Ask your friends, close co-workers, or a workout buddy about their therapist and if they would mind if you contact them for a consultation. I’ve had several clients start therapy with me at the suggestion of a friend. Friends will probably give you the most information about their therapist.
2. Ask your healthcare professional - This could be your doctor, naturopath, acupuncturist, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, nutritionist, massage therapist, or chiropractor. I interact with doctors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and even acupuncturists in my practice. These professional folks know of my skills and training, and they trust me to take good care of the patients they send to me.
3. Ask your insurance company - If you need to use insurance, call your insurance company's customer service and ask for a list of therapists in your area or access the mental health counselor directory on their website.
My practice does not take insurance, but I am an out-of-network provider with PPOs and provide my clients with a monthly Superbill. A Superbill is an invoice to submit to your insurance company. You may be eligible for partial reimbursement if you have met your deductible. Click here for a list of questions to ask your insurance company.
4. Search online directories: Go to www.psycholgytoday.com, www.therapyden or www.goodtherapy.com. These online directories offer filters to search for things like city, in-person or telehealth, the issue you want to address (i.e., depression, anxiety, grief), and insurance type, if you need to use insurance. For instance, I am listed on Psychology Today and have specialty and expertise filters for anxiety and trauma and coping skills among others. I have a filter for telehealth only, for out-of-network benefits, and for accepting new clients. If you need to use insurance, there is a filter for your insurance company.
What to look for on a therapist’s website
Once you’ve found a few therapists that attract your attention, spend a little more time researching the therapist’s website. Here are some things to look for:
1. Does the therapist specialize in the issue you want to address (anxiety, trauma, eating disorder, grief)? For example, in my practice, I am focused on anxiety and trauma These specialties allow me to hone my skills and help my clients reach their goals. My training, clinical consultation, and further education revolve around helping clients with these specific mental health issues, which is a benefit to you. Becoming trained as an EMDR therapist in Seattle gives me additional skills and strategies to effectively help anxious and traumatized clients that go beyond traditional talk therapy.
2. Is the therapist taking new clients? The website may not be up-to-date, indicating availability. Be sure to double-check when you request a consultation. For example, I currently have openings for clients struggling with anxiety. The next step is to send me your contact information by filling out the form on my Contact page.
3. Is the therapist licensed in Washington? Therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists must be licensed in Washington. If this information is not listed on their website, please ask. I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington and can work with clients within the state. You can see my license information here.
Finding the right therapist in Seattle is important
Diane Dempcy Counseling
It may take some time and effort, but you deserve a safe, supportive relationship with a competent, well-trained therapist. Remember, therapy isn’t just for chatting about your week; it’s about getting professional help to reach your goals.
If you would like to know more about how I can help you reach your goals, please contact me at therapy@dempcycounseling.com or visit my website at www.dempcycounseling.com.
Diane Dempcy provides therapy in Seattle to adults experiencing anxiety and trauma. She utilizes brain-based tools such as EMDR, DBT, and other types of therapy. Diane’s clients experience her as direct, empowering, warm and accepting.
She provides online therapy in Washington.
