Finding a therapist, counselor, or psychologist in Tacoma, WA

How do find a therapist, counselor, or psychologist in Tacoma, WA.

Tacoma has a personality that demands to be noticed. This gritty, rainy, City of Destiny, stubbornly and proudly maintains its relevance as a PNW staple. And you do too.

Tacoma pride runs deep, but that doesn’t mean life doesn’t sometimes throw you a curve ball that even the most grit and determination can’t trudge through. (Hi Pandemic, I’m talking to you!) You’ve made it this far, but you’re wearing thin. If you are looking for a counselor- I’d like to help you find someone who can help.

I want to help you find a therapist in Tacoma (or anywhere, really)

It’s hard to wake up day after day knowing you’ll be sitting in hours of traffic and listening to an endless stream of unpredictable news. It’s affecting your attention span, your health, and your relationships. I get that. These are stressful times! If you feel powerless in this, you’re not alone. But there are things you can do to change what you can and regain some sense of power and control. In therapy you work on you, which goes a long way to improving your focus, your health, and your relationships.

In fact, mental health is the foundation of holistic wellbeing. If you want to be physically, spiritually, socially, financially, occupationally, environmentally, sexually, or intellectually healthy, its vital that you prioritize your mental/emotional health. Being emotionally healthy opens up mental space so that you can focus on your dreams, your relationships, and your life goals. It very likely will change the trajectory of your life.

If you have been thinking about starting therapy, but don’t know where to begin, here are some tips from a pro about how to find a counselor in Tacoma, WA…or anywhere else.

Tip #1: Google it!

The quickest way to find a therapist or counselor in Tacoma is to just google it. There are lots of ways to search but here are a few good search words depending on what you want. And it’s not a bad idea to google a few different cities around you, or get specific with why you want to see someone, or even how you want to pay…so onto the examples: “counselor in Tacoma”, “therapist in Seattle”, “in person counseling in Tacoma”, “online therapy in Washington”, “teletherapy in Olympia”, “anxiety therapist in Tacoma”, “online relationship counselor”, “private pay therapist”, “counselor that takes XYZ insurance”, etc. The list of search words is pretty much endless, so be clear with what you want to help narrow it down. You’ll get more than enough options for therapists, finding one you like and trust is the next step.

Pro Tip: Scroll down past all the ads and into the “Related Searches” section of your Google search for how to find a counselor in Tacoma. If you’re not sure what to search, there are some good ideas of what others have searched.

Tip #2: Ask someone you trust

While I would actually put this as Tip 1…sometimes it can be hard to tell someone you want to start therapy. Thankfully the tide is turning on this and getting mental health care is becoming more acceptable for open conversation. But if you were overwhelmed by Google, or do feel ok asking someone you trust, a personal referral is an excellent way to find a counselor in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, or online in Washington state.

Sometimes people think ”‘but I don’t want to see a therapist my friend/spouse/sister is seeing. Is that even ok?". The answer is “it depends”. While many counselors will not knowingly see a close relation of a current client, it is not illegal or unethical. It is complex and something a good counselor will take into consideration before doing, but it does happen from time to time, and is up to the counselor to decide if they want to do this and inform you of what this might look like. There are many counselors who engage in couples or family counseling, and -as part of their primary specialty- only see closely related people. So, don’t let that stop you from asking your friends or family: who they see, if they like them, and if you can get a referral.

But even if you don’t want to see their counselor, it’s still a good idea to ask. Why? Because therapists know therapists. In fact, we are one of the best networked group of professionals. Not only that, we want to help everyone find a counselor who is a good match! Therapy is unlike anything else. You need to know, like, and trust the person you will be opening up to, and we know how hard that can be, so we want you to find a therapist you like and trust, just as much as you do. So you may even call your friend’s therapist and say “my friend recommended you, and I wondered if you could see me, or refer me to someone like you.” It’s totally worth it to ask, and counselors expect this as it is part of our professional ethics. Please note we are not required to provide referrals, but strive to support people in accessing mental health care.

Pro Tip: If asking in person makes you nervous, put it out as a general or anonymous request in your social media feeds or groups. I’m always impressed with how many strangers and acquaintances are excited to share good therapy experiences and counselors who have helped them.

Tip #3: Ask a professional

Asking a professional is a great way to vet a therapist. The list is also almost endless, but a short list of who you might ask are: your insurance benefits customer rep, your doctor, your dentist, your massage therapist, your acupuncturist, your physical therapist, your pharmacist, your attorney, your banker, your life coach, etc.

Remember how I said therapists are well networked? In supporting our clients’ mental health, we often have strong networks with other professionals so that we can make thoughtful recommendations if our clients need other support that will improve their mental health. And, who knows, the professional you ask may be seeing a therapist they like and be happy to pass on the information to benefit you, and as a nod to their counselor for helping them in their time of need.

Pro Tip: It may feel scary to ask some professionals for a therapy recommendation. Be thoughtful about who you ask, but know that many people see it as a strength to ask for help. If you think about asking your boss or colleagues, trust your gut about if they will have the emotional maturity to support you in this request.

A free therapy consultation in Tacoma, WA

Finding a counselor doesn’t have to be scary. Therapy has become more acceptable and even trendy since the pandemic. But it has always been a good investment, and it is definitely on the rise as one of the best things you can do for yourself in today’s stressful and unpredictable world.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Tacoma. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (435) 776-5959 for a free 15 minute phone consultation, or fill out my contact form. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are a woman looking for help with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationships, you can read more about how I can help here.