Finding the right therapist for you: 3 tips from our experts
June 04, 2026
- It may take some trial and error to find the right therapist for you.
- Look for a therapist you feel comfortable with.
- Don't get hung up on credentials, as the best therapist for you may not be a Ph.D.
If you’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety or stress, you may already know that you need a professional to help you cope with your issues. But how do you go about finding a good therapist? And, how can you tell if one is right for you?
Clinical psychologist Catherine Powers, Ph.D., and psychiatrist Erica Taylor, M.D., explored this topic during a recent episode of our Cancerwise podcast. Here are three tips that they shared.
Finding the right therapist is a process
The first thing to know about finding a good therapist is that it may take some trial and error for you to identify one you really gel with.
“Therapy is a lot like dating,” Taylor explains. “It’s not one-size-fits-all. You have to find your person. And, if one isn’t quite right, remember that there are a lot of other fish in the sea. You just might have to look around a little bit until you find that person.”
Look for a ‘comfortable’ fit
One way to gauge if you’ve found the right therapist? Think about how comfortable you feel around them. Do you find them warm and easy to talk to? Are you fairly relaxed in their presence? Or, do you have trouble letting down your guard and feel very tense and reluctant to share anything?
“At the end of the day, it’s all about feeling comfortable,” notes Powers. “Hopefully, it’s a collaborative experience. But if you’re feeling like you can’t be open with someone after a few sessions, maybe it’s time to look for somebody else.”
“Give it at least two or three sessions before deciding,” adds Taylor. “And, remember: there’s a big difference between something being difficult and a therapist not being a good match. Parts of therapy can be really uncomfortable — especially when a therapist pushes or challenges you — but that doesn't necessarily mean it’s a bad fit.”
Don’t get hung up on credentials
Therapists come in many different varieties. There are psychiatrists with medical degrees who can prescribe mood-altering medications, clinical psychologists with doctorate degrees, licensed social work counselors and advanced practice registered nurses, to name but a few. They also practice different types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy.
But it’s important not to get hung up on credentials. All of these professionals undergo specialized training, and some have had more years to refine their practice than others.
“I’ve had some patients say, ‘You know, I’m open to therapy, but it has to be with an M.D. or a Ph.D.,’ recalls Taylor. “But one of my favorite therapists is a licensed clinical social worker. The other is an APRN. I think they do phenomenal work. So, I push people to look more at a provider’s experience, what they do, and what type of connection you have with them.”
To hear the complete conversation between Powers and Taylor, listen to the podcast.
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