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Hi Duranel, and thanks for writing in!   Hopefully I can give you some good input on some of your questions.  First, I appreciate your committment to therapy, so it makes sense that you would want to choose wisely.  Here are two places that you can start to look for a therapist:   1.  The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) website 2. The Psychology Today Website   On the Psychology Today site, the therapists have profiles with some written information about them, so you can start to get a feel for who they are/how they work even before calling.   I'm assuming that you are concerned about finding a therapist who can handle the "intensity of my needs," because of the experience with your college counseling center.  Keep in mind that most college counseling centers work on a short term basis (like 10 sessions) and aren't designed for folks who need longer term work. I would hope, however, that they would communicate this to you if it is true and provide you with some local referrals.   In a consultation session with a potential therapist you can describe your history and what you think you need, and the therapist should give you feedback as to whether they work in that manner.   As far as insurance goes, you need to know what kind of plan you have.  If you have an HMO, you generally need to see a Provider who has a contract with that HMO company.  If you have a PPO you generally have a bit more freedom as to who you can see, but the amount that is covered varies with several different factors.   1. If the therapist you pick has a contract with your PPO, then you will know exactly what your co-pay is. 2. If the therapist you pick does not have a contract with you PPO, then you need to call your insurance and see how much they will cover and if you have a deductible.   On the practical side, you want to pick a therapist that you'll be able to afford to see for the long term, and in a geographic location that makes sense for you to travel to on a regular basis.   In addition to finding a therapist, it sounds like you need to find a Psychiatrist as well. You don't need to see this person as often as your therapist, but again, you want someone that you can form a working relationship with to figure out what medication you need to be taking/not taking.  There are alternatives to SSRIs, if that indeed is appropriate for you.   You said that when intense emotions start to surface, panic ensues.  That suggests to me that you do not allow yourself to fully experience the intense emotions.  I write about this in one of my SharePosts about anxiety triggers.   I'm not sure that I addressed all of your questions, but perhaps some of the other experts will offer some opinions as well.   Regards,   Dr. Jennifer L. Fee The Stress Masters Dr. Fee is a Psychologist. Dr. Fee's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.