How Can I Find A Clinical Psychologist Near Me?

With all of the varied information online about mental health these days, it can be complicated to understand the particulars of different provider or specialty options. The terminology used to describe mental health professionals can be confusing. 

Some people may use the words “therapist” and “counselor” as umbrella terms for anyone who provides mental health support services. Others may use the terms “therapists” and “psychologists” interchangeably, although the two professions can actually be quite different. It can be helpful to better comprehend the similarities and variations between different mental health providers when determining which support option might be best for you and your mental health needs.

Have questions about which mental health provider to choose?

An online therapist can provide more info

What is a clinical psychologist?

It can be difficult to tell if someone is a clinical psychologist based on what type of business they work for or what specific kind of services they provide. It may be important to note that a clinical psychologist technically does not need to work in a clinic or even directly interact with patients or clients.

A clinical psychologist is defined as such by their education level. While many therapists, counselors, and social workers need a master’s degree in order to be licensed to practice, a doctorate is needed to be a clinical psychologist (typically a Doctor of Philosophy, or a Ph.D., though sometimes a Doctor of Psychology, or Psy.D., also applies). 

These doctorates typically take five to seven years to obtain, as opposed to a master’s degree, which can typically be completed in two or three years. Most state licensure boards require an additional one to two years of practice for psychologist licensure (the exceptions are Washington, Utah, and Alabama), and some require a formal postdoctoral residency, similar to residencies for medical doctors. Specializing in a certain psychological area, like child psychology, may require additional training.

Is a clinical psychologist right for your mental health needs?

As mentioned above, some people use the words “psychologist,” “therapist,” and “counselor” interchangeably to refer to any sort of mental health professional who provides personalized mental health support. However, there tend to be variations between the ways the different professions approach mental health care, although they may all ultimately use similar evidence-based treatment methods. 

Psychologists who pursue clinical practice typically receive more extensive training on serious mental health disorders. Because of this educational background, they may be more likely to choose to work with patients in that population, often in an inpatient program, at a hospital, or in an acute care facility. This type of intensive care can be beneficial in treating bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Clients do not necessarily need to have a severe mental health disorder in order to select a clinical psychologist as their care provider. However, some clinical psychologists might not see clients who do not meet diagnostic criteria for some form of mental health condition. A primary role for clinical psychologists in the mental health ecosystem is to administer diagnostic, psychological, and in some cases neurological testing to determine whether mental health symptoms are indicative of a disorder. 

For people who do not have a specific mental health condition but instead would like additional support in processing life stressors or emotional upheaval, a clinical psychologist may not be the best care option. Because of their higher education levels, it can be more expensive to see a clinical psychologist than to see other types of mental health providers, and processing insurance coverage and benefits for such visits may be complicated.

Clinical psychologists may be most helpful for people who have chronic, serious mental health disorders that cause significant distress, impede their day-to-day functioning, and lower their overall quality of life. For less severe mental health conditions, or for emotional, behavioral, social, or relationship-based concerns, it may be more helpful to see a therapist or counselor. 

How clinical psychologists can be found

If a clinical psychologist is the most beneficial option for your mental health needs, there are a number of strategies you can use to find a provider that will fit your needs.

Reflect on what you are hoping to receive in terms of care

In order to find a suitable provider, it may be helpful to understand exactly what your needs are. What is your end goal in meeting with a clinical psychologist? Are you hoping to connect with someone who specializes in particular disorders, treatment options, or patient populations? You might create a list of goals for your care and then check this list when you are vetting providers. 

Talk to your primary care provider or therapist

Consider online therapy

For some people, it may be difficult to attend in-person therapy for a number of reasons. If you live in a rural area, there may not be any clinical psychologists practicing within a reasonable travel distance. In contrast, if you live in a densely populated city, clinical psychologist offices may have a high patient volume, which often results in long waiting lists.

In these situations, it may be helpful to consider online therapy, which many people have found to be helpful for their mental health needs. With online therapy through a service like BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist based on preferences such as specialty and provider characteristics. You can also speak to your provider via video call, phone, or chat.  

Research has indicated that online therapy may be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy in reducing mental health symptoms. One recent study determined that a group of people who completed a course of online cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrated fewer symptoms of depression.