Takeaway: When searching for a therapist, it’s more than okay to be selective–in fact, I encourage it! In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about finding the Minneapolis therapists who are right for you, including where to look for therapists and what to ask in your initial consultation. Let’s dive in.

Understanding your needs

Congratulations on your decision to put your mental health first by seeking treatment! This is a big step that shouldn't go unnoticed. Starting therapy takes courage and vulnerability, and you've already done the most difficult part by beginning your search.

I'm going to encourage you to pause and reflect before you continue looking. Choosing a therapist is a serious decision, and it's important to be intentional throughout the process. Carefully considering what you need in a therapist will help you find the best therapist for you—not just a therapist.

While each person is unique, there are plenty of elements to consider when thinking about what you need and want from your therapy journey. Here are a few key elements to get you started.

Logistics

While logistics aren't the most exciting thing to think about, they're a key component of narrowing down which therapists in Minneapolis are right for you. Considering logistical factors like in-person vs. online therapy, whether or not you want to use insurance, and even the gender of your therapist can help you narrow down the mental health professionals that meet your needs.

Type of therapist

You may also want to consider what credentials you're looking for in a therapist. There are many different types of therapists in Minneapolis, each with slightly different educational backgrounds. You may look for a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed clinical psychologist for different reasons.

If you want psychological testing, I recommend looking for a Minneapolis psychologist. If you're interested in working through relationship issues or family conflict, I recommend looking for a licensed marriage and family therapist (like me!).

Specialization & expertise

It's also worth contemplating the specific type of therapy you're interested in. You don't need to be an expert in each therapeutic modality, but looking into the different approaches can help you hone your search.

Some common methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, narrative therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, somatic experiencing therapy, and more. If you're looking for a therapist for your child, you could seek out a licensed therapist with expertise in family therapy or play therapy.

Researching therapists in Minneapolis

Now that you have a clearer picture of what you're looking for in a therapist, it's time to begin (or resume) your search! There are plenty of places to find a therapist in Minneapolis, so explore the options I've laid out below and find which ones feel best to you.

Therapist directories

Directories are a great place to find therapists in your area. Psychology Today and Therapy Den are a couple of popular choices. Here, you can filter results by location, type of counseling services you're looking for, gender of clinician, and more.

Beyond these general directories, there are also specialized online catalogs that can help you find a specific type of therapist. For example, I'm listed in the International OCD Foundation's directory. There are also directories for clinicians of color, LGTBQ+ clinicians, and more.

Search engines & social media

Using a search engine like Google is another way to discover therapists in your area. General searches like "therapy Minneapolis" or "Minneapolis find therapists" will yield results for all different types of Minneapolis therapists. If you have a more specific idea of the kind of therapist you want, you can try searching something like "anxiety therapist Minneapolis" or "CBT therapist near me."

Some therapists also use social media to spread mental health awareness and advertise their services. You could look on Instagram or even TikTok for therapists that you resonate with. Just make sure that the prospective therapists are licensed in the state where you live.

Referrals & recommendations

Asking for personalized recommendations can be a highly effective way of finding a therapist you truly connect with. Consider asking professionals you're already connected to, like your primary care provider, for a referral. Other service providers, like yoga teachers or massage therapists, may also be connected to mental health professionals.

If you're comfortable, you could also ask family, friends, or coworkers for their recommendations. Maybe they've had a great experience with a local therapy practice that they think you'd love, too.

What to ask in your initial consultation

Once you've created a short list of therapists in Minneapolis, it's time to reach out! Most therapists offer free consultations where you can ask questions and get a better understanding of what working together could look like. Here are a few topics I recommend discussing during your initial consultation.

Share your situation

When you first speak with a prospective therapist, it's important to give some information about why you're seeking mental health care. While you don't need to share every detail of your situation, the therapist will need to know the basics of your situation in order to get a sense of whether or not they can effectively help you.

Review logistics

You'll also want to confirm the logistics you already considered at the beginning of the process. Confirm that they provide online or in-person therapy depending on your preferences, and make sure that they're licensed in the state where you live. Now is also a good time to discuss scheduling preferences.

Ask questions about the process

You can also ask any lingering questions you have about the therapy process. For the most part, therapy begins with an assessment session where the therapist will ask you more questions about yourself and work with you to make a treatment plan.

However, some therapists might take a different approach. For example, therapists who provide marriage counseling might meet with each partner individually at the beginning of treatment and do a joint assessment session. Ask each potential therapist you consult with about what to expect from the process.

Pay attention to how you feel

Facts and logistics are an important part of choosing a Minneapolis therapist, but they're not everything. It's vital to pay attention to how you feel when talking with each prospective counselor. While you may not feel comfortable spilling everything right away, you want to feel a connection with the therapist you choose. Therapy is a vulnerable process, so make sure to choose a therapist that you feel comfortable with.

Start your Minneapolis therapy journey today

As a therapist in Minneapolis, MN, I've seen firsthand how transformative this work can be. Therapy can help you cope with mental health symptoms, improve your connections with others, learn more about yourself, and reach your personal goals.

I specialize in helping women reconnect with their values and break through the anxiety, career challenges, and relationship issues that have been holding them back. I take a collaborative, empowering, social justice-oriented approach to therapy to help you make real, lasting changes toward a fulfilling life.

If you're interested in learning more about my therapy approach or how I can help you, I invite you to reach out. I also offer free consultations so you can get a feel for whether or not we're the right fit for each other. I look forward to connecting with you!