Recommendations:
Once you've decided to go to therapy (and what type of therapist you would like to see), what should your next step be? Before you crack open the phone book and randomly make an appointment, you may want to ask a trusted family physician, if you have one, to recommend a therapist. Doctors usually know people who work in the mental health care profession and can recommend someone to suit your needs. You can also seek recommendations from friends, family or your school.

Qualifications:
Check out your future therapist's credentials. Make sure they have at least a bachelor's degree, but preferably a master's or doctorate. You may also want to see if they are part of any associations, like the American Psychological Association. Plus, if you wish to see someone about a particular issue, like a death in the family, check to see if they specialize in that field.

Cost:
Payment is another issue you'll have to deal with if you decide to go to therapy. Like any other doctor, it's not usually cheap to visit someone who works in health care. However, most insurance companies provide some mental health coverage. Either they will cover some of the cost, provide a certain amount of visits with limited charge, or require that you visit a therapist from a particular list.

If you don't have health care that covers mental health expenses, there are other ways to find an affordable therapist. For example, a school counselor is usually free. Some therapists are also willing to work on something called a "sliding scale," meaning that you pay a certain amount based on your income. Lastly, some colleges/universities offer counseling services at a discount so that students in a Ph.D. program can get hands-on experience.