Hellobee Boards

I found mine through a free referral service at work. I had two before I settled on this one that I really like.

It basically worked by me calling a hotline and activating my mental health benefits. Then they sent me a huge list of providers that take my insurance. I plugged them into google maps and found the one closest to my home and called that office. I took whoever had first availability

Word of mouth is probably best, but if no one can refer on to you I see no reason to not call a few you found online. I would look for a professional looking site with good information and preferably a picture of the therapist.

Yes! I would look online because I normally wouldn't want anyone to know if I was seeing someone. the way I looked is clinics in my area, and then I would view their websites. like PUI said, a professional looking site is important. I enjoyed reading the bios about the therapists - where they went to school, what their special interests were, a little bit about their personal life, etc.

I look at my insurance 1st and see who is covered and then I google the names to get any reviews or info on them

I have googled! I have then read results on a website that listed the therapist's specialties, etc. I forget the name of said website. I would love to see a nice website with the therapist's photo, bio, specialties, philosophies, etc. That would definitely increases my chances of choosing them!
I have also had doctor referrals and used a person through an EAP at work. I wouldn't ask for friends/family referrals since if I was seeking therapy, it might be for a personal issue I wasn't discussing with anyone else.

ETA: good luck!

I also agree that a good website is key. I hate not being able to see someone, get their background, their beliefs/philosophies, what they specialize in, etc.

You could also speak to some OBs and give them business cards and let them know you are interested in helping their clients out. Some may just not know others to refer to.

Personally, whenever I've searched for a therapist, I've gone to my insurance company website for a list of names. Then I google those names. I went to one in law school because they had a great website (rare though).

I've googled and anyone who didn't list lgbt as a specific population they work with I immediately skimmed past them. I ended up going to someone referred by my GP and she worked for what I was there for but I stopped seeing her when I felt she wasn't that understanding of specific gay things that would come up. A lot of my queer friends use word of mouth (/see the same providers)

@Silva: I have women friends who are older than me, and sometimes life transitions have been difficult. I'm thinking of a friend whose main identity has been being a mom, and now her children are adults and she's searching for what her purpose is.

ETA: I 'm not too interested in seeing certificates or lists of involvement in professional development. I want to see where someone went to school, know their licensure status, and their areas of interest.

@Silva: I'm not sure how things are in the mental health arena, but I know educational professional development can realllllly vary in quality. So unless it's a very well established, well known type of certificate or program, I don't think much of it. If you're doing this for your own educational purposes, then definitely go for it! But I'm not sure (but really don't know) if it matters as much to clients.

@Silva: I don't know if it is something that interest you but it is really hard to find someone who deals with IF counselling. I would think this would generate some doctor referrals too

@mrswin: excellent suggestion. I know at my RE's office, there was a flyer with the pull-off contact tags for someone offering this help. Almost all of the tags were pulled off!

I'm not sure if you do individual or couples therapy, but I would think having some type of financial certification would be really beneficial since so many couples have contention about finances.

@Silva: I think the specialty trainings would be good for networking/referrals? I haven't used a therapist, but have seen lots of Moms ask in local groups. I'd make sure to ask a client to put you up on yelp, maybe have some type of discount or open house 'meet and greet' that could be shared by word of mouth on Facebook groups. You could also connect with doulas, midwives, etc.

I'd definitely do a website-- make sure you figure out basic SEO and think about how someone would search; so you come up. i.e. "postpartum depression help in Mexico, Chicago, Houston area" (obvs replacing with your local towns

I can't believe how many photographer websites I've been on lately that don't have their location stated anywhere!