Whether you were born and raised here or somehow landed in San Antonio by way of a partner, a job, or just seeking the warmer weather, the size of this city can mean that there are many people to choose from regarding therapy.
How in the world do you find the needle in a haystack? There are a few basic questions to help you narrow down the search. Almost sounds like an episode of “The Bachelor.”
With over 26 years of meeting people for the first time. You spend hours and days looking for the dream house or car, the right brand power tool, or that special dress. It’s just as important or more so that you find that special therapist that you feel can truly help you. You need rapport- that easiness and comfortable feeling that you get as you talk about your troubles.
Where do I find a specific type of therapist?
It would be best to look through various online search tools. For some, that would be their insurance company. For others, they might use a therapist listing such as Psychology Today. People Google and find me under Sexual Abuse Trauma, Sex Therapist, EMDR, ART San Antonio, Sexual problems therapy, and Sex Addiction Therapist San Antonio.
Do you have any appointments available?
If yes, once you have established this basic question, then you move on. If they do not have any appointments available, then how long is the waiting list?
What type of training do you have?
If you already know what you want as far as a trained therapist, you can look online for that type of therapist in San Antonio. A few examples would be: “trauma therapists in San Antonio,” “sex therapist in San Antonio,” “couples therapists in San Antonio,” “premarital counseling in San Antonio,” etc. I think you have this now. The internet can be a great tool when it comes to finding different types of therapy near you.
Where is the office located?
Check on what side of town the therapist is located. For some, ease of access is the best option. Are they close to your home or work? If you travel from New Braunfels, Texas, to the Sea World area, can you handle that amount of driving in traffic on a weekly basis?
Sometimes, distance is not the key, but the specialty is the most important. Then, it would be worth it to travel the distance for your therapy session.
Are there other options if the distance is an obstacle?
You might need telehealth options. Telehealth is the option to complete sessions by computer, an I-pad or tablet, FaceTime, or telephone call.
For some, a therapist in Laredo, Corpus Christi, and other less populated areas such as West Texas, Uvalde, and Victoria is hard to locate for specific specialties. Also, living in smaller towns can present some privacy issues. Whatever the reason, telehealth could be a better option for you when it comes to relationship therapy, personal counseling, and sex therapy sessions.
What type of hours do you usually have?
Make sure they have session hours in the morning or evening, maybe even on the weekend. Hours that you prefer would be convenient, but many times people will adjust their schedule.
To manage time, some people take a lunch break and do telehealth sessions from the car. As a therapist, I have seen people via electronics in their cars, garages, bedrooms, and closets- as long as the space is private. The medical crisis of 2020 has led to people being very creative in managing their privacy.
Is a free phone consultation available?
Sometimes 15 minutes is enough to see if this will or won’t be a fit. Others might determine that they have a positive feeling about this first discussion and would like to schedule an appointment. Sometimes, a therapist can determine the special needs and suggest the names of others that would make a better match.
Can insurance be used?
The answer to this one question depends on a few variables. Is the therapist in-network for your insurance? If the therapist is not in-network, then you might be able to submit a bill for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider.
Will the insurance cover the specific issue?
Premarital counseling, sex therapy, and couple therapy are a few issues that might not be covered. The other side of the insurance issue is that some people prefer that insurance do not have access to their medical records for mental health. Various occupations and military want to keep their privacy. Other people do not want to add a pre-existing condition that could affect life insurance or future medical insurance.
What types of payment will be accepted?
Some therapists may accept cash, credit card, FHA/FSA, and/or checks.
Is there a recommended length of time? Can one session take care of things?
The answer to that question depends on the person and the issue. Many times, the first 1 or 2 sessions cover the initial assessment and goal identification. Some issues might be short-term such as 1 to 3 sessions (some anxiety event, a worry, a work issue).
Other issues require a longer length of time (examples would be addictions, abuse, catastrophic events like a natural disaster, a fire, or grief). At least 6 sessions to start is a good way for you to get an idea of what you need.
Remember, quality over speediness. Trying for a better quality of life is an investment.
This is for my child, partner, parent- can I find out what they talk about?
For children and teens, communication with the family is important. Some therapists will meet before or after the session for about 5 minutes to check on the client or family. The ideal situation would be that a therapist helps a teen or child communicate their own issues with the parent.
Sometimes, issues such as risks, including danger to self or to others (homicidal or suicidal thoughts and behaviors), physical and /or sexual abuse, or serious mental conditions, would require sharing information. Regarding drug use for teens, every state is different in what can be shared. In Texas, revealing drug or alcohol use remains confidential if age 16 and above.
For adults, couples counseling needs to be open and honest. Sharing information should be between the couple.
For adults in individual counseling, everything remains confidential except for risks including danger to self or to others (homicidal or suicidal thoughts and behaviors), physical and /or sexual abuse, or serious mental conditions.
What experience or training do you have that addresses my issue?
Specialty licenses are for the actual college education or post-graduate training. Psychologists and clinical social workers generally complete over a thousand hours under the supervision of a clinician that is licensed to train new therapists. Once licensed, a person can practice independently.
There are also intensive training and certifications for many different categories. I have a certification for neurofeedback training. I currently have over 150 hours of training and 2 years of supervision in sex addiction, as well as 150 hours of training and 1 ½ years of supervision in sex therapy. Both end in a certification.
I also have EMDR therapy, ART therapy, and Somatic Experiencing therapy as well as Mind Body Medicine training.
Cheryl, why do you have so many areas of training?
I must admit that I will seek training in any area that I feel has made an impact on me or the people I help. There will be a blog in the future with books that have opened my eyes about the brain and its functioning.
I hope this helps you find the right therapist in San Antonio. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (210) 262-5056 for a free 15-minute phone consultation or schedule yourself on my website, www.cherylcamarillo.com .
