FINDING COUNSELING IN PLANO, TEXAS
Why is finding counseling in Plano, Texas so hard? Plano, Texas continues to top lists of best places to live in the US. Though home prices have risen, you still get a lot of bang for your buck. Neighborhoods are safe, and schools are excellent. Many large companies are based in Plano, making it a great place for jobs. A few years ago I wrote a blog about finding a counselor in Plano. But the world has changed.
FINDING COUNSELING IN PLANO IS MORE CHALLENGING THAN EVER
Economic growth has brought more people to the Plano area. There are simply more people looking for therapists. Additionally, in post-Covid America, rates of anxiety and depression are at an all-time high, so more people are seeking counseling. Post-Covid, therapists exiting college or working for low-paying companies smartly took advantage of the demand, flooding the private practice market in Plano. All of this makes it difficult to know where to look and how to choose someone to talk to. I’d love to help you find a therapist in Plano who can help you manage life a little better.
I WANT TO HELP YOU FIND COUNSELING IN PLANO, TEXAS
Regardless of what struggles you are having, I assure you there is a therapist in Plano (or the surrounding area of Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Dallas) who specializes in that. Here are some tips for getting your best possible therapy experience:
First, accept that you are struggling, and that it’s not your fault. The past few years have been a struggle. Demand for therapy has increased everywhere, and there are good reasons why. NOT ONE of those reasons is that you are weak or less capable than others.
Understand the benefits of therapy. We KNOW from decades of research that therapy helps people learn to manage emotions better, and have better overall life functioning. Even if you decide to take medications, research shows that a combination of medication PLUS therapy offers the best outcome. Research demonstrates that medication calms our brain enough so that we can better learn new strategies for managing symptoms.
Consider whether you want in-person sessions, or does your schedule only allow for video sessions from home or work? Many more therapists offer telehealth now, making therapy more convenient than ever.
When ready for contacting therapists, try asking your other medical providers for suggestions for therapists specializing in your problem.
Consider if you are financially limited to therapists in-network with your insurance. Or can you have more options by choosing an out-of-network therapist? Make sure to look at your insurance plan or call your insurance company to understand exactly how much you'll be paying out of pocket. More and more plans require a deductible to be met first before coverage kicks in, even for a therapist in your network. It may end up being affordable to choose whomever you want as a therapist, and use your insurance to get reimbursed for some of the fees.
Look up therapists on a search engine based on your type of problem (i.e. "therapy for eating disorders in Plano" or "anxiety therapy in Plano") or look at directory sites like Psychology Today. Sometimes there are certification organizations for therapy specialties that list therapists by state or zip code. For example, I am a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). On the IAEDP website, there is a list of therapists who specialize in eating disorders.
Last, ask trusted friends or colleagues for recommendations.
A FREE CONSULTATION FOR COUNSELING IN PLANO
If you or a loved one could use help finding counseling or therapy in Plano, please reach out. I can help. I have over 20 years of experience helping adults improve their mental health. I specialize in anxiety and eating disorders like binge eating, emotional eating and overeating, anorexia and bulimia. I offer in-person sessions at my Plano office and online therapy in Texas. Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation and take the first step toward recovery. If I can't help, I can connect you to another great therapist!
