How to Find a Therapist Who’s Accepting New Clients

Finding a therapist who's taking new clients and a match for your needs can feel impossible. Here's how to find a therapist who's right for you.

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Oct 11, 2022 UPDATED
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If you're looking for a therapist with availability to take new clients, you're not alone.

Many times over the past two years friends, colleagues, and contacts have asked me:

Why is it so hard to find a good therapist? 

How can I find a therapist who’s accepting new clients?

They ask in texts and on Facebook whether there is a counselor, psychologist, or therapist who friends can recommend.

Why is it so hard to find a good therapist? 

Typically, recommendations from friends can be helpful when it comes to finding a great chiropractor, accountant, or yoga teacher.

That said, it's not recommended to see the same therapist as your close friend.

In a time where it seems like we rely on our social networks and social media to find almost everything we need, this can make finding a therapist more challenging.

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Demand for therapists has increased

Approximately one in five U.S. adults live with a diagnosable mental illness, as of a 2020 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Yet it's estimated that less than half get treatment, according to Mental Health America’s 2022 State of Mental Health report.

One significant hurdle to starting counseling is finding a therapist who's accepting new clients and scheduling an appointment.

Headlines in the New York Times in late 2021 and the Washington Post in 2022 proclaim: “Therapists Can't Keep Up With the Emerging Mental Health Crisis” and “This is why it’s so hard to find mental health counseling right now.”

Monarch helps more people get the care they need, when and where they need it, by allowing patients to find therapists with availability to take new clients.

The American Psychological Association (APA) surveyed its members in fall 2021 and found that “psychologists reported increased demand across all treatment areas prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

In addition, the survey showed psychologists had a low capacity for taking on new patients. More than half (65%) of the more than 1,100 psychologists who responded said they didn’t have capacity to accept new patients.

Similarly, the 1,320 therapists surveyed by the New York Times in 2021 reported they are concerned they can't keep up with American consumers’ demand for therapy.

So, how can you find a therapist who’s right for you—with availability for new clients?

The good news is, there’s a new way to find a therapist, and it may not be as hard as you think

During 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, SimplePractice launched the Monarch directory to help connect therapy seekers with over 100,000 therapists, counselors, and psychologists nationwide who are accepting new clients.

You can also browse therapists who accept your health insurance provider.

Monarch is helping more people get the care they need, when and where they need it, by allowing patients to find therapists with availability and to book appointments online.

On Monarch you can search for therapists by specialty. You can choose to filter by “anxiety,” “depression,”  “grief,” and many other areas of specialization.

For example, you can quickly find all the therapists in New York City who specialize in anxiety or all the therapists in Chicago who specialize in depression.  Wherever you are, Monarch has made it simple to find the right therapist who offers specialized care.

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You can choose in-person sessions or telehealth video appointments.

Additionally, many therapists also offer free 15-minute initial consultations, so you can determine if they are the right match for your specific needs.

If you have health insurance coverage, you can also browse therapists who accept your insurance.

Remember, you are not alone. No matter what mental health challenges you may be experiencing, talking with a therapist can help.

READ NEXT: Good Questions to Ask a Therapist Before and During Your First Session


Searching for a therapist who's accepting new clients? Check out the Monarch directory to find therapists with availability and online booking.


Article originally published Sep 30, 2022. Updated Oct 11, 2022.

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