Living in the NJ is great, we’ve got beaches, proximity to the city, great food, country living and easy access all around. Each season brings a different flavor and opportunity to explore the state and engage in recreational activities differently. Yet, as New Jerseyans, we are also known for our high level of anxiety and stress. The underlying sense of hurriedness, crowding, navigating the highways and general pace of life can take its toll on even the most well rounded among us. Add into this the fact that despite our awesome backdrop here, we are unfortunately not immune to mental health issues either due to or inspire of our way of life. Anxiety and depression rates among youth teens and adults is higher than ever. Isolation, financial stress on families and just the day to day adulting can create the need to find a place of solace, understanding and getting back to being your best self to do all the things. This is where therapy comes in. The following guide will help you to navigate ways to narrow down your search, find the best fit and familiarize yourself to the start of the journey in front of you.
How do I know which therapist in NJ is the right fit for me ?
One of the benefits of living in NJ is we have access to some of the best medical professionals in the country. That being said, looking for the right therapist in NJ can be completely overwhelming as even a simple google search can cause anxiety, confusion and frustration leading one to give up the search. So here’s some advice from a therapist in NJ on how to find your match.
I’m ready for therapy but what exit do I take (get the NJ reference there?)
As a therapist in NJ myself, I understand that picking up the phone for therapy usually isn’t the first step. You’ve probably been struggling for awhile prior to the call, doing your best on your own until you realized or someone told you that you may need more support that you can do on your own. So here are some helpful mile markers to think about;
- Am I Ready: Ask yourself, “How long have I been struggling?” Is this (insert issue, emotion experience here) causing me a significant disruption in my life?” Are the things I am doing to help myself working?” If you answered “yes” to any of these questions it may be time to pick up the phone.
- Therapy costs too much: Yes therapy can be pricey, however so is the emotional toll of not getting help on yourself, your family, your job etc. Options include going in network or out of network. The benefits of in network therapists is that they have an agreed upon rate with your insurance, are usually the cost of a copay and you can be sent a list of names from your insurance provider in the area of concern by calling the number on the back of your card. The cons are that treatment is typically managed by the insurance company, they can limit sessions, limit therapist flexibility and review therapist notes and treatment plans etc which can make clients uneasy. Out of network therapists cost more up front, but may be covered by out of network benefits. While costing more up front, the benefit of out of network therapists is that they are not restricted in any way insurance companies, treatment is between the client and therapist only and the therapist and client have more flexibility in how they approach the treatment process.
- What if I don’t feel a connection with my therapist? -then lets go shopping! Okay so this is not retail bargain therapy but rather therapist shopping. Therapy is a process that often requires time, commitment, trust and a professional relationship unlike one you may have experienced before. Therefore, finding the right person, one you feel comfortable with or even vibe with is extremely important. Are they relatable as a human being? Can you see yourself being vulnerable with them? Do they have experience in the area you are seeking help with? You should never stick with a therapist that you don’t feel can help you, are uncomfortable with and that you can’t feel like you can be yourself around. Think of it as a way to feel the therapist out. Since it takes a few times to really get an understanding of if they are the right fit, you might give them a few chances. But if you feel uncomfortable, judged or they don’t have experience with your issue, its okay to bail. So shop around if you can, meet a few different therapists and see if you can find the right fit.
- Alphabet soup: Therapists love the alphabet. Since there are so many different areas of therapy, each with their own alphabet soup after their name, it can be confusing what to look for, so here’s a quick rundown to help you find the right fit.
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- Psychologists: an individual with their doctorate in Psychology. Their credential can be Ph.D or Psy D. The Psy D is more trained in clinical practice where as the Ph.D is also adept at publishing research.
- LMFT: an individual with a Masters degree and post masters training and or specialization in working with couples (married or not) and families
- LPC: an individual with a Masters Degree and a license in professional counseling. They are trained and receive continued education in a variety of areas, may specialize in a particular area and all work with individuals, couples or families.
- LCSW- an individual with a license in social work that can specialize in a certain area, can work similarly as an LPC but also has training in social systems that can benefit some clients. (Think case workers who can help find housing, employment and address systemic concerns).
- LCADC: a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. This is an individual whom has training and may work exclusively with individuals struggling with addiction.
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New Jersey is not as complicated as its made out to be. Finding a therapist in Nj doesn’t have to be complicated either. So whether you live near the shore, the city, the woods or in between, there is a good chance that once you take some of the steps above, you can narrow down a good fit to start your journey to being the best you in the garden state.