Dallas is something else, right?

Southern bougie, country, and hood all blend together to create a city full of ambition, creativity, and grit.

As a therapist in Dallas (from Dallas), people are always asking me how to find a therapist (mostly because ethically, I can’t work with them—but oh, how they try). Dallas gets a LOT of hate for no reason. We’re ranked as the #1 city for corporate headquarters, a top-ranked city for young professionals (66/229), and one of the best cities in the world (55th) in 2025.

Being the best comes at a cost. Dallas is also ranked as one of the most stressful cities to live in the U.S. with some of the worst access to mental health services. But on the bright side, since being labeled the very worst in Texas for mental health in 2022, there is nowhere to go but up!

How to Find a “Good” Therapist

1. Figure Out What You Want to Work on in Therapy

Deciding that you need help is hard. Go you! Now, you need to decide what you want help with the most. Is your anxiety really trying you? Tired of not speaking up for yourself? Exhausted from watching TikTok videos about ADHD instead of getting an actual diagnosis? Ask yourself some important questions or take screenings like the ones offered by Mental Health America to get some direction on what you’re experiencing.

2. Choose Your Budget and Therapy Style

Therapy can be expensive because it requires a lot of education and skill. That being said, therapy quality and cost don’t always match up, which can be frustrating.

• How long have you needed to start therapy?
• Do you think you’ll need medication for your concerns?
• Do you commit better when you invest financially, or does affordability help you stay engaged?

Therapists with lower fees often have a lot more clients, may not be as flexible with rescheduling, and might be nearing burnout. If you’re looking to save money, a therapist-in-training is a great option because they have limited caseloads, receive close supervision, and you basically get two therapists for the price of one. 

.Finding therapists covered by your insurance can be a pain, but companies like Headway and Alma are more reliable than insurance company directories (which are often outdated). This means you won’t end up finding a therapist who’s no longer covered! EAPs are another option, but they can have long wait times and low reimbursement rates, which can be a bummer for therapists, especially if clients ditch after the free sessions. If you can swing it, Out of Network Pay is the best option – you get to use your benefits (after the deductible) and pay your therapist their full fee without feeling guilty!

If money is super funny, and you’re under- or uninsured, check out different organizations that offer  Therapy Funds, they givre mini grants to get you stated if you qualify. If you are in Dallas County you are able to visit community mental health centers like Child & Family Guidance Center or Harmony CDC in Oak Cliff to see if you qualify for free or low-cost services. Keep in mind that you may not get to choose your therapist, but that might be a blessing in disguise! These programs often have eligibility requirements since they’re funded by grants and donations, so consider your budget in terms of time and energy, too.

3. Do Your Googles!

Once you have an idea of what you want to work on, it’s time to find your expert. Unfortunately, the therapist equivalent of Hinge doesn’t exist (yet), so you’ll have to do more than just look at a profile picture.

Take time to check out their website or directory profiles. Some great directories include:

• Therapy for Black Girls
• Monarch
• Inclusive Therapists

These directories support diverse clients and help therapists connect with the right people. A therapist may list multiple specialties, but a good one will make it clear who they love working with the most. Check if they have media features or a social media presence to get a feel for their personality and vibe.

4. Meet the Therapist

Now that you’ve found a few therapists that seem like a good fit for your needs, budget, and personality, it’s time to meet them! If you’re confident, go ahead and book that first session. But if you’re unsure, schedule a consultation with those who offer them.

Ask them questions! Share your goals. Depending on your concerns, they may explain how they work or describe their theoretical orientation. Don’t be intimidated—a good therapist will break it down for you and leave you feeling some relief or hope.

Now that you’ve found your therapist—wait, you haven’t done ANY of this yet? Ooh. That’s okay, Bestie. I got you.

It just so happens that I have a therapy practice called Epiphany Lane Counseling (“Therapy for Where You Are”). We serve high-achieving professionals, creatives, adults, teens, and couples with individualized therapy that gets results. As the founder and Clinical Director, I train emerging therapists to be clinically sound, emotionally intelligent, culturally competent, and authentic in their work.

I want everyone to have the therapy journey they need to live a life full of purpose, power, peace, and joy. We have therapists in Dallas, Arlington, and Katy, or we can see you virtually anywhere in Texas. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about finding a “good” therapist, Bestie—it’s about finding a therapist that’s good for you.

What’s the hardest part about finding a therapist for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments!