How to Find the Best Therapists in Los Angeles

Congratulations! You have already accomplished the hardest part of connecting with a counselor: deciding that you are going to.

Now that you have made that choice, however, you may feel unsure of where to turn. You know you want to start therapy, but how exactly do you find a therapist in Los Angeles?

As psychotherapists in Los Angeles, we know a thing or two about finding the best therapists in LA (and it might not be us!). Here’s how to do it.

Start with reflection and research

Before you dive into searching for a specific therapist, start by honing in on your needs and learning more about different types of therapy.

Reflect on why you want therapy

Before you can find a therapist, it is important to clarify your reason for seeking therapy in the first place.

Often times, people have multiple reasons for wanting therapy. It’s okay to have more than one “why.” However, you should have a sense of the topics you want to discuss with your therapist so that you can be sure to find someone who specializes in helping people with those issues.

For example, some therapists specialize in anxiety therapy and depression therapy while others focus mainly on helping people process trauma. Still others specialize in grief counseling or couples counseling.

Therapists can have one or multiple specialities, and having a speciality does not necessarily mean they cannot support people with other issues. However, searching for a counselor who focuses on a specific issue can help you narrow down your search so you can find the best therapist in Los Angeles for you.

Consider their credentials

Therapists are highly educated professionals with extensive training no matter their specific credentials. Because of this, there is no need to get too hung up on a potential therapists’ specific degree or license type. However, there are a couple considerations to be mindful of if you need something specific from a counselor.

For example, if discussing medication is important for you, consider consulting with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner alongside working with a therapist. These professionals have medical training that allows them to prescribe medications.

Some therapists are also specifically trained to provide counseling for families and couples. If this is an area that you need support in, choose a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT).

Explore their approach

Each therapist has a different approach based on their personal style and the therapeutic methods they prefer. 

There are many different types of therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), depth psychotherapy (that’s what we do!), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). Sometimes, certain therapy methods are designed to treat certain issues. They can also just be a matter of preference.

Aside from the type of therapy a counselor is trained in, it is also important to consider their personal approach. For example, some therapists take a solutions-focused approach. This involves expanding on what is going well in your life and does not typically involve processing past issues. It also tends to be shorter-term therapy.

Another example of an approach is a holistic approach—that’s what we use here at Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy. We believe that integrating the mind, body, and spirit is the most effective way of healing, but not all therapists or therapy-seekers like yourself resonate with that. 

If this approach does resonate with you, we encourage you to reach out for a complimentary phone consultation. 

Logistics of finding a therapist in Los Angeles

Now that you have formed an idea of why you want therapy and what to look for in a therapist, you can move on to the actual search itself. 

Search on Google

You use Google to answer all your other burning questions--why not use it to discover the best therapists in Los Angeles?

Most therapists have websites that tell you all about their services, including the types of therapy they offer, their approach and credentials, as well as any other information you need to determine whether they will fit your needs.

To find the best therapist for you, enter the word “therapist,” your location, and the issue that you’re hoping to get help with. For example, “therapist in los angeles for anxiety.”

Turn to social media

Therapists are people, too--they know that lots of people find communities, products, and services through social media sites. Try looking on Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok to find a therapist in Los Angeles.

Rest assured, many therapists have professional profiles set up that are meant to advertise their counseling services. These pages are typically separate from their personal profile and are meant to be a convenient way for people like you to find them.

Use a directory

There are websites specifically designed to help people search for therapists, for example, Therapy for Black Girls and Psychology Today. You can filter by the types of issues you need support with, gender of your therapist, type of therapy, and more. 

The Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles also has a local directory on their website. Their directory allows you to search by speciality or keyword, as well as narrowing down a specific location in or around Los Angeles.

Ask for a referral

In addition to looking online, it can be helpful to ask for a referral. If you have heard a friend or acquaintance rave about their therapist, it could be worth looking into if they would be a good fit for you.

You can also ask your medical provider for a referral. Primary care offices often have lists of local therapists they can provide you. They may even have a behavioral health specialist or care coordinator in their office who can personally connect you with the therapist that’s best for you.

The best therapist in Los Angeles is the one who meets your needs

You may get so caught up finding the “best” therapist that you become frustrated and give up your search. While it is important to put thought into finding a therapist, remember there is no perfect person!

Our team at Highland Park Holistic Therapy is happy to discuss your unique needs and share how we can help. We encourage you to reach out for a complimentary consultation so you can begin your journey towards healing.