The Internet is getting better for local search. A number of sites can help you locate a therapist in your hometown. Most therapists won't be listed in all of them, so it is probably worth searching in more than one.
Mental Health Net's Clinician's Yellow Pages is one of the oldest directories. This searchable directory is free to search, and free to add your pracrice. It has a good selection of counselors and therapists from all disciplines. The search-engine format allows you to input a city or state in the U.S.
Another large directory is Psychotherapy Finances Mental Health Provider Directory. Therapists can list themselves free-of-charge by filling out a form. This is another good choice which should yield some results in your area.
Looking for a psychologist? The Psychologist Directory lists thousands of psychologists in the U.S. Psychologists who are not listed can add their pracice for free. An older directory, the Therapist Directory, does not seem to have kept up. Therapists pay to be listed, and the listings are leaner. It's worth a look, though.
EmindHealth is a directory that started by populating its listings with information from professional organizations and yellow pages. The site loads slowly, though. The Internet Care Directory describes itself as "The Most Comprehensive Listing of Professional Health Care Providers on the Internet." They charge a fee to providers, and they do not list their fees. I did not find any mental health providers in my area code.
Nobody listed in your area? You can always search the yellow pages. In addition to the thick book sitting under your phone, try one of the online yellow page directories such as BigBook. These directories are based on telephone yellow pages, and they will usually yield a greater number of therapists (with less information on each therapist). You will get addresses and telephone numbers, and you may even get a map to get you there.
Many therapists will talk with you on the telephone before seeing you if you have any questions. This is often a good way to get a feel for their point-of-view and their fees. Therapy can help you gain control of your life and make better choices in the future. The Internet can help you get started.
