How to Find a Therapist in Orlando Who’s Right for You
Finding a therapist is a daunting task. There are so many options and so little at the same time when you factor in considerations such as price, match, insurance, location, etc. There are also tons of directories and confusing acronyms or titles for mental health professionals. I’m here to help break it down for you.
The option that people probably first go to is using a search engine such as Google to look up phrases like “therapists in Orlando,” “therapists near me,” or something more specific like “couples therapy in Orlando.” While that is a good starting point, that often only shows a portion of providers who are in the area. Sometimes you need to do a little digging to find hidden gems.
There are many directories to help therapy seekers find a good match. The good thing about directories is that you can filter through whatever your heart desires. I personally like directories because it’s easy to sort through. You can typically see a list of providers, their picture, and a bio before even clicking on their profile. You can also select filters to narrow down your search. There are directories made for specific identities and even affordable therapy options as well.
Here are some directories that I recommend:
For affordable therapy options starting at $30: https://openpathcollective.org/
For clients seeking an Asian therapist: https://www.asianmhc.org/
For clients seeking a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and social-justice oriented therapist: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/
After searching on Google and/or a directory of your choosing, I would ask yourself some questions: do I need to use insurance or how much would I be willing to pay out of pocket? what do I want from therapy (a safe space to talk, solutions, or something else?), am I wanting a therapist who has a specific approach and/or expertise? am I wanting in person or virtual? do I want someone similar to my age or someone older or younger?
Therapists often offer free 15 minute consultations or FAQs on their website. I would reach out to a few that you think might be a good fit and scope out their vibe. Something that I like to remind people is that finding the right therapist is similar to dating. Sometimes you won’t find “the one” on your first try, and that’s okay. Notice and honor what YOU want for YOUR healing journey. As a therapist, I acknowledge I’m not a good fit for everyone. Same thing applies when I think about myself as a person. Is it a bit tedious to have to even think about “dating” when trying to find a good match in a therapist? Yes, AND it takes a lot to even start the search. Who knows? You won’t know until you try and you might get lucky.
I’m a Vietnamese American therapist located in the Orlando area (Casselberry to be specific). I see BIPOC Gen Z & Millennials for individual and relationship/couples counseling. The concerns I work with are relational concerns, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
Here are the directories I’m on.
Asian Mental Health Collective: https://www.asianmhc.org/therapist/donna-sotomayor-rmfti/
Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/clinicians/donna-sotomayor/
Reach out today to get started with me!