How to find a therapist and schedule an appointment

Seeking support for your mental health is an important decision that can lead to positive changes. This section is here to help you find the right provider, get ready for your first appointment, and know what to expect along the way. You’ll also find tips on deciding if a therapist is the right fit and what to do if things don’t feel quite right. And if you’re ever in crisis, there are people you can reach out to right away. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Finding and Scheduling a Provider

• Explore online directories like Mental Health America of Greater Houston’s provider network portal to find the best provider for you.
• Confirm whether they accept your insurance or provide sliding scale options to fit your budget.
• If available, read reviews or testimonials to get a sense of others’ experiences.

Getting Ready for Your First Appointment

• Take some time to jot down what you want to talk about, this could include your symptoms, stressors, or any specific concerns.
• Come with a few questions to help you understand the process, such as:
  • What is your approach to treatment?
  • How long do you expect treatment to last?
  • “Is there anything I can do on my own to keep moving forward and meet my goals?”

What to Expect in Your First Session

In your first session, you will spend time getting to know your provider and sharing what has been on your mind. They will explain how they work and what you can expect from treatment. It is also a great opportunity for you to see if you feel comfortable with them and if the fit feels right for you.

Mental health evaluations encompass a range of assessments that aim to understand an individual’s mental health, cognitive abilities, personality traits, and emotional functioning. These evaluations can help in diagnosing conditions, planning treatment, and monitoring progress. The choice of evaluation depends on the specific concerns of the individual and the goals of the assessment. These may be administered by a professional during your first appointment, commonly referred to as an intake session.

Mental health professionals may also use various standardized screening tools to assess specific aspects of a person’s well-being and functioning. These may include:

• WHO-5 Well-Being Index
  A short questionnaire that measures current mental well-being and emotional vitality.
• GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7)
  A 7-item scale used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms.
• PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)
  A commonly used tool to screen for and measure the severity of depression.
• AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
  A 10-question tool developed by the WHO to identify harmful patterns of alcohol consumption.
• PSS (Perceived Stress Scale)
  A widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress over the past month.
• Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS)
  A validated scale designed to screen for postpartum depression symptoms in new mothers, assessing emotional and physical symptoms associated with this condition.

Psychological Testing

Comprehensive Psychological testing involves the administration of specific standardized instruments (e.g., IQ tests, personality inventories, achievement tests) to measure aspects such as intelligence, behavior, emotional functioning, or cognitive skills. It is usually one part of a broader psychological evaluation and can take multiple hours or days. Licensed Psychologists usually administer these.

Some examples include:

1. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) The BDI is a self-report scale used to measure the severity of depression symptoms. It contains 21 multiple-choice questions regarding mood, behavior, and physical symptoms associated with depression. Mental health professionals use it to assess the intensity of a person’s depressive symptoms and monitor treatment progress.
2. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is one of the most widely used personality assessments, the MMPI-2 assesses a variety of psychological conditions and personality traits, providing insight into a person’s emotional and psychological state.
3. The Rorschach Inkblot Test is a projective psychological test consisting of 10 inkblot images that are shown to the individual. The person is asked to describe what they see in each inkblot. The idea behind the test is that people’s perceptions of ambiguous stimuli (like inkblots) reveal hidden aspects of their personality, emotions, and unconscious thoughts.
4. Neuropsychological Tests are specialized tests designed to assess brain function and diagnose brain injuries, neurological disorders, and cognitive impairments. Common neuropsychological assessments include tests of memory, attention, executive functioning, language, and visual-spatial skills. The results help clinicians understand how brain functioning is impacting behavior and mental abilities.
5. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used tool to assess behavioral problems and emotional functioning in children. It is typically completed by parents or caregivers and includes a range of items on social, academic, and behavioral areas. It helps diagnose disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders.
6. Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) evaluates the practical, everyday skills necessary for functioning in society. It is used to assess adaptive behaviors like communication, self-care, social skills, and academic performance, and is often employed when diagnosing developmental disabilities or delays.
7. The Conners Rating Scales are used to assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. The scales ask parents, teachers, and sometimes the child to rate behaviors associated with ADHD, such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. It is a helpful tool for determining diagnosis and monitoring treatment effectiveness.

Deciding if Therapy was the Right Fit for You
If you ever feel uncomfortable or like you are not being fully heard, it is completely okay to explore other providers. A strong, trusting connection with your therapist is important for making real progress.

Staying Committed and Following Through

• Remain consistent with the plan, whether it is attending therapy, taking medication, or working through exercises.
• Be kind to yourself, it is okay if progress feels slow. Healing takes time, but every small step is a step forward.