Many people who have never been to a psychologist before have no idea how they should find one. The best way to find a psychologist is to ask your insurance company, if you have one. Many times insurance companies are able to make suggestions, or at least direct you to a directory of psychologists that accept your specific insurance plan, which will save you money. This is a great place to start, but if you have a need to see a psychologist right away and you cannot wait for your insurance company to get back to you, you might want to call your primary physician.

Many doctors are able to work with their patients to help them find other medical professionals, such as psychologists, that can help them meet their mental health and behavioral needs. Doctors often have a good working relationship with these individuals and may even be able to get you into see another professional faster than you would have ever been able to get in on your own. Your current doctors are always a great resource for other health care professionals.

If you don’t have a primary health care provider or they don’t have any references to give you, you can always ask friends and family members, if you are comfortable. You would be surprised to learn how upfront many people are with this type of information because they know how important it is to find a psychologist that takes his or her job seriously. If this doesn’t work or it isn’t something you are comfortable, simply look in the phone book and look for someone who is in your area and licensed to practice in your state.