Choosing a Therapist

Anxiety disorders can be treated by a wide range of mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses. Primary care physicians also make frequent diagnoses, and they may prescribe medication or refer a patient to a mental health provider. 

Making Your Choice

It’s recommended that you talk to more than one professional before making a choice. You might want to consider these issues when deciding on a mental health professional and type of treatment:

Professional Categories

• Licensed professional: psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, and other counselor licensed by a state to practice psychotherapy.
• Non-licensed professional: usually holds a master's degree and may be unlicensed  because the state does not offer or require a license in that mental health field.

Requirements for the practice of psychotherapy vary among states. Ask a therapist about his or her training and credentials before beginning treatment. Read this guide to Finding the Right Therapist.

ADAA Resources

• Visit ADAA's Find a Therapist directory to locate a therapist near you.
• 5 Tips to Learn if an Anxiety Therapist is the Right Fit for You - blog 
• Types of Mental Health Practitioners
• Types of Therapy
• Telemental Health Providers
• Therapy Options Guidelines - Infographic
• "How To Know if Your Therapist is Really Helping You" Blog post 
• Important Questions for Your Therapist and Insurance Carrier - infographic
• Free Peer to Peer Support Community
• Personal Stories of Triumph
• Self-Help Books

Additional Resources

• Contact the psychiatry department at a local medical school or a university psychology department.
• Contact a local hospital and ask about mental health clinics or staff psychiatrists.
• Search for Clinical Trials for your area.
• Search the American Psychological Association database.
• Search PsychologyToday's therapist database