I was recently asked how do you pick the right counselor which made the wheels in my head begin to turn.
So lets talk about finding a counselor. First, finding a counselor can be a process, but don't give up you will find the right one! There are various ways to find a counselor
and with the advancement of technology there are options for virtual counseling and in-person counseling. There are different ways to go about finding a counselor, here are just a few options:
1- Talking to your PCP
2- Asking friends for recommendations (if you feel comfortable asking your friend groups)
3- google (you can search counselors near me)
4- Psychology Today
5- Open Path (if you do not have health insurance or limited health insurance good option).
6- There are more resources, feel free to drop a comment if you need more information.
Now you have a list of counselors that you think you may connect with, what next? The logical response would be send emails or making phone calls to the counselors on your list, but I want to suggest first making a list of 3+ questions of what you want to know about the counselor. Here are some sample questions:
1- what type of approach do you usually use and is it evidence based? (this gives some information as to the lens they may see the world through).
2- What licenses and certifications do you hold?
3- How long have you been in practice? (This is a good question, but I would not necessarily make this a determining factor, as someone who has been in the field for a long time or a short time they each will offer a different perspective).
4- How many clients have you had with similar circumstances to my own?
5- How should I prepare for sessions?
6- What is the cost per session?
7- How frequently should we meet?
8- Could you tell me about your clinic policies related to insurance, cancellations, and no-shows?
9- create your own questions.
After you have established a few questions you want to ask, call and/or email the counselors on your list. You will want to include a brief synopsis of your presenting problem or concern and you can include your questions or you can ask if they offer a free 15 minute consultation. I want to encourage you to give the counselor at least 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond, I know it can be easy to be annoyed, but I want to encourage you to remember they are human and move on to the next person on your list.
What happens now that you may have an appointment scheduled? Well you could have met the best counselor for you or you may have met the "not perfect fit" counselor, but I want to share a piece of advice that was shared with me: "give a therapist 3 appointments before you decide if they are not the right fit for you. There are a lot of great therapist out there - but they aren't all going to be great for you".
A reminder finding a counselor can be a process, but I encourage you to not let that process stop you from getting the help or support you need to continue on your journey.
If you find yourself in the middle of a crisis there is support and immediate assistance available by calling the Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text the word "TALK" to 38255.
If you want to explore the possibility of UnCharted Traveler Counseling being a fit for your mental health needs, click the Book button and contact me for a free 15 minute consultation!
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