The Importance of Finding a Counselor that is Right for You
A post about when selecting a therapist.
Choosing the right counselor can be a difficult process. The importance of finding someone you feel comfortable with, and who you believe will help you grow, often creates an overwhelming search.
I recommend making an individualized list of what is important to you in a counselor. That way, when you are searching for the right fit, you can refer to your list to keep in mind what you are looking for and ask relevant questions when interviewing potential therapists. Make sure your expectations are realistic; this will help prevent disappointment and allow the therapeutic process to run smoothly.
If you find that after several sessions with one counselor you are not making any progress or do not feel comfortable speaking with them, do not hesitate to find someone else who may be more of a good fit for you. This is your therapy and your time; spend it wisely and productively with someone who meets your needs!
The Importance of Finding a Counselor That Is Right for You
Therapy is a process that can be overwhelming, scary, and exciting all at the same time. It can also be very rewarding. If you have decided that therapy is right for you, there are some things to consider when choosing which counselor to see.
1. Do your research
There are many different types of therapists and counselors out there. They have different training, education, experience, and expertise. Think about what type of help you are seeking, and find a therapist that specializes in that area. For example: if you’re seeking help with an eating disorder or body image issues, find someone who specializes in those specific issues. Do not hesitate to ask questions! It’s important to find a therapist who is familiar with the issues you need help with.
2. Location
You want your therapist’s office to be convenient for you and somewhere where you feel comfortable and safe. Some therapists have offices in hospitals or medical buildings while others may have their own offices in more private buildings or even their homes! Find out where the therapist’s office is located and make sure it works with your schedule and preferences.
3. Cost
Most therapists work on a sliding fee scale meaning they will
Having an effective, caring counselor can make a world of difference if you are going through a difficult time in your life. Finding the right person is all about the fit between you and your counselor.
Things to consider:
Location: Where does the therapist have an office? How easy or difficult will it be for you to get there? If your insurance requires that you select someone within their network, then this may be a moot point. However, if you are paying out of pocket or want to use a therapist who is not in your insurance network, then location will probably matter to you.
Experience: What is their background? What kinds of issues do they work with? Do they have experience with people like you? If you are looking for someone with specific expertise (like substance abuse), then this may be an important consideration.
Schedule: What days and times does the therapist offer appointments? If it won’t be convenient for you to see them at those times, then it may not make sense to choose them as your therapist.
Fees: How much do they charge per session? Does this match up with what you want and expect to pay? Is there any flexibility in the fee schedule? Are they willing to accept insurance or just payment out of pocket?
You have decided to seek counseling; now what? How do you choose a therapist that is right for you? Here are some tips.
First, make sure the therapist has the necessary training and experience. For example, if you are coming in for help with depression, it is important to find a therapist who has extensive experience working with depression. In addition to training and experience, make sure the therapist’s theoretical orientation is compatible with your personality or belief system. In other words, if you are coming in for help with depression and you want a therapist who uses medication as part of treatment, find someone who prescribes medication or refers patients to psychiatrists who prescribe medications. If you go to therapy every week for months but don’t feel comfortable disclosing certain things because of the therapist’s theoretical orientation, this will impede progress toward your goals (in therapy). Some therapists use more emotion-focused techniques such as EMDR, others use more cognitive-behavioral techniques such as CBT or DBT, others may use family systems techniques such as structural family therapy etc. It is important to find someone whose approach works best with your presenting problem and personality type. Additionally, if you want a female therapist but end up picking a male therapist because he seems like a good fit based
The decision to seek out a counselor can be an important and life-changing step. Making the right choice when it comes to selecting a therapist is extremely important. You may have already realized that you don’t want to spend your time, energy, and money on someone who doesn’t meet your needs.
Your first step in finding a therapist is deciding what you need and want from therapy. If you are not sure what you need or want, then schedule a consultation with a few counselors. A consultation is where you get to know each other and decide if you feel comfortable working together. It also helps you to determine if the counselor’s style is compatible with what you are looking for.
You may need help determining your goals for counseling or choosing the best counselor for your situation. Counselors can help guide you with these decisions, but ultimately it is up to you to make the final decision of who will work best for your needs.
What is the most important decision you need to make when you are seeking out a therapist for yourself or a family member? Is it about finding the therapist who specializes in your specific issue, such as depression or anxiety? Is it about finding someone who uses a specific theory or approach, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy?
The answer is that all of these factors are important, but not nearly as important as one other factor: finding someone you can work with.
You will know this person well within a few sessions. You will have an intuitive sense of whether he or she understands you and whether he or she cares. You should trust this feeling, and if things do not feel right, move on until you find the right person. This may take time. It may mean “shopping” around (but keep in mind that therapists may have waiting lists). But it will be worth it in the long run.
Why I love my therapist:
He is the “real deal”. He just gets me and he’s the only therapist that I have felt that with.
He is non-judgmental and does not try to fix me. He is there for me and he lets me know that I am not alone.
He has helped me along this path of healing in ways that no one else has been able to do.
He has given me a voice, he’s given me strength and he’s given me hope.
I’ve never felt so understood by anyone. Truth be told, I thought I would never find someone like him.
It was a long road getting here but I’m glad I stuck with it and didn’t give up because it finally paid off.
