I need a therapist matchmaker. Do you know that perfect someone in Sac?

March 27, 2018 5:36 AM

I'm looking for The One. Can anybody recommend a good therapist in the Sacramento area?

There's no specific diagnosis for treatment (though I've been in therapy for persistent depressive disorder in the past), but I'd like to focus on general anxiety issues.

I'm apprehensive about picking a random person based on whether they accept my insurance or has four stars on Yelp. Is there a better way to find a match? Consider this a personals ad for mental health.. In line with the online dating analogy, here's what I'm looking for:

A progressive minded and non religion-based therapist who can prescribe medication as appropriate. Someone who can help me practice mindfulness without being woo-woo and can relate to non-Western cultural norms/expectations.

I've had some bad matches where there was no rapport or felt like there was some cultural bias going on. If there's any Star Trek TNG fan reading this, I'm looking for a Guinan.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I think you may be asking for two things that aren’t likely to fit in one package. Most therapists aren’t MDs and can’t prescribe and the vast majority of psychiatrists have little interest in talk therapy. It happens, but you’ve narrowed things way, way down just with that part. You might want to consider one person for the talking and someone else for the medication managment.
posted by Smearcase at 5:46 AM on March 27, 2018 [6 favorites]

My current therapist used to practice in the Sacramento area and I see him at the end of the week. I'll ask him if he has any recommendations. There's also my old therapist in Fair Oaks; she's an LCSW (or maybe MFT, I can't remember) and can't prescribe meds, but she ticks your other boxes if you're interested.
posted by elsietheeel at 6:41 AM on March 27, 2018

Here is a partial recommendation, she is a counselor only and cannot prescribe meds. Also, I have not received counseling from her, but she is an acquaintance that I have always found warm and reasonable, maybe just read over her statement. and see if you like what she says.

I just can't really let a Sacramento rec request go by unanswered.
posted by Duffington at 10:50 AM on March 27, 2018

Find a therapist for talk therapy first. They'll be able to suggest a psychiatrist for the meds aspect, hopefully someone they have a professional relationship with. Many people benefit from treatment that combines both aspects, but they're not provided by the same professionals. It's like seeing a physical therapist and a doctor.
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:02 AM on March 27, 2018

Psychology today let's you search based on treatment styles and a lot of other categories and they all have little bios that describe their approach.
posted by edbles at 2:24 PM on March 27, 2018