--- title: "Choosing a Trauma Therapist in Florida | McFadden Institute" url: https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/resources/choosing-a-trauma-therapist description: "How to check a Florida license, what to ask on a free consultation, and how to judge fit when choosing a trauma therapist, online or in person." lang: en --- Resources # How to choose a trauma therapist in Florida Updated September 29, 2026 Choosing a trauma therapist can feel like a big decision made with very little information. Directory profiles tend to sound alike. Everyone is compassionate, everyone is client-centered, everyone has a warm photo. Here's a practical way to cut through that, whether you end up working with me or someone else. ## Check the license Start with the basics. In Florida, you can look up a clinician's license on the Florida Department of Health's online license lookup. You can see the license type, whether it's active, and whether there's any public disciplinary history. It takes a couple of minutes. Mine is a Florida LCSW license, number SW19059. You're welcome to check it. There's more about my background on the about page (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/about). ## For telehealth, check where they're licensed If you're working with someone by video, the clinician needs to be licensed in Florida, or otherwise authorized by Florida to provide telehealth to people in the state. A therapist licensed only in another state generally can't see you while you're here, however good their website looks. It works the other way too. A Florida-licensed clinician can only see you while you're physically in Florida. ## Ask about training in their approach Many therapists list several approaches. It's fair to ask which one they actually use most, and what training they have in it. Specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones are worth a follow-up question. For me, the answer is that I'm trained in Rapid Resolution Therapy (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/approach/rapid-resolution-therapy) and use it as the center of my work, drawing on CBT and mindfulness-based approaches where they fit. ## Ask about format, length and cost How long are sessions? How often do they usually happen? Is it in person, online, or both? What does it cost, and do they bill insurance? None of these have right answers, but they have to work for your life and your budget. For comparison, my sessions are 90 minutes by video, $225 each, booked one at a time. The practice is private pay and doesn't bill insurance. If you need insurance billing, a clinician who works with your plan will be a better fit. ## Ask whether you'll be asked to retell it This is a big one for many people. Some trauma approaches involve revisiting memories in detail; others don't. Neither is wrong, but you deserve to know before you start. Ask directly: will I need to describe what happened? With my work, you won't be asked to relive the details. There's more on that in do I have to relive my trauma in therapy? (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/resources/do-i-have-to-relive-trauma) ## Ask what happens if it isn't working A good answer sounds something like: we'll talk about it openly, adjust, and if this approach isn't right for you, I'll help you think about what might be. Be cautious if the answer suggests the problem would always be on your side. ## Trust your sense of fit Credentials and approach matter. So does how you feel talking to the person. Do they listen? Do they answer your questions directly? Do you feel a little more at ease by the end of the conversation, or less? A free consultation is the right place to find out, and it's completely fine to talk to a few people before choosing. One more thing: be wary of anyone who promises specific results. Trauma work doesn't go the same way for everyone, and an honest clinician will tell you that. If you'd like to know what a first session with me involves, see what to expect in your first session (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/resources/first-session), or book a free consultation through the contact page (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/contact). If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For emergencies, dial 911. ## Questions worth writing down It helps to have a few questions ready for a consultation, so the conversation doesn't drift. Some good ones: What approach do you use most, and what's your training in it? How long are sessions, and how often do people usually meet? What does it cost, and how does payment work? Will I be asked to describe what happened? What happens if it isn't working for me? You don't need to ask all of them. Pick the ones that matter most to you. How someone answers, whether they're direct or evasive, is information in itself. ## Red flags A few things are worth being cautious about. Promises of specific results or timelines. Pressure to buy a large package up front. Vague answers about training or licensing. Being made to feel that questions are a nuisance. Any of those is a good reason to keep looking. ## Online or in person Whether to choose online or in-person therapy depends on you. Some people want to be in a room with someone. Others find video easier, because there's no commute and they can talk from their own space. If you're not sure, there's an honest look at the trade-offs in does online trauma therapy work? (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/resources/does-online-trauma-therapy-work) Whichever you choose, the same checks apply: a current Florida license, clear answers about approach and cost, and a sense that you can talk to this person. Finally, give yourself permission to take your time. Choosing a therapist is a real decision, and it's fine to sleep on it. If you're in a hurry because things feel unbearable, reach out for crisis support first, then choose ongoing help once things have steadied a little. ## Questions people ask ### How do I check a therapist's license? Use the Florida Department of Health's online license lookup. Search by name or license number to see the license type, status and any public disciplinary history. ### Is it OK to talk to a few therapists before choosing? Yes, and it's often a good idea. Fit matters, and a short conversation with two or three people can make the choice much clearer. ### Should a therapist promise results? No. An honest therapist can tell you what their approach aims at and what it doesn't do, but not promise how it will go for you. Be cautious of anyone who does. Image: Dry golden grass seed heads backlit by low warm sun. (https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/__l5e/assets-v1/b17f378a-9aff-42a2-b82d-7558b23fb475/grass-detail.jpg) Curious whether this could fit for you? Book a free consultation: https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/contact Rapid Resolution Therapy is a therapeutic approach, not a guarantee of specific results and not a substitute for medical care. Every person's experience is different and individual outcomes vary. Back to home: https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/ Free consultation ยท no pressure ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "MedicalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/#practice", "name": "McFadden Institute", "legalName": "McFadden Institute, LLC", "url": "https://mcfaddeninstitute.com/", "description": "Online psychotherapy for adults in Florida using Rapid Resolution Therapy, for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and burnout. 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