Four Steps to Find a Counselor You Actually Want to See
You’ve done it. You’ve made the decision to start looking for a therapist. But now what? Where do you start? How do you find the right therapist for your situation? Your personality?
Great questions.
Let’s break the process down so you don’t have to waste anymore time feeling stuck.
Step 1: Start with yourself
The first step in finding a therapist doesn't have to do with the therapist, it has to do with YOU. The first step is to figure out why you are looking for therapy now, and establish a general idea of what you would like to get out of therapy.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be a dissertation, just a general idea. These questions are important because if you are dealing with addiction, you are going to want to focus on therapists that specialize in addiction. If you are looking for counseling because you’ve entered a major life transition and aren’t sure how to navigate it all, you want a therapist who has worked with people in your similar situation.
Here are some good questions to ask yourself:
Why are you looking into counseling now?
What do you hope to get out of counseling?
Have you been to counseling before? What was that experience like for you? Would you like something like your last experience or are you looking for something different?
What does your budget look like for therapy? Do you prefer to go through insurance or are you interested in private pay?
Where are you hoping to find a counselor? Near work or at home? How far are you willing to travel?
What would be some ideal times for you to see a therapist?
Are you interested in Telehealth video sessions?
Do you have any particular concerns about going to counseling?
Now that you have a better idea of what you are looking for and how you feel about counseling, let’s look at actually finding a counselor.
Step 2: Search for a therapist
There are a few ways to search for therapists in your area.
Many people start with their family doctor. Most doctor’s offices have a list of counselors they refer their patients to.
Ask friends and family members.
Another great place to start is to do a Google search online. Most people find themselves on the Psychology Today site when they Google a therapist. This is because it’s a very comprehensive online listing of therapists.
Sometimes you will find a counselor who seems like a great fit but is not accepting new clients. Ask them for recommendations. They can often steer you in the right direction.
As you read through the various profiles, here are a few things to look for:
Notice their photograph. It should look professional.
Check out their website. Do they have a blog? If so, check out some of their entries and see if they resonate with you or not.
Are they accepting new clients?
What are their listed qualifications?
Are they licensed?
Do they specialize in the area you are looking to address?
Do they take insurance or are they private pay? Do they have a sliding scale or a reduced rate available?
What is their fee range?
Do they take HSA accounts?
Do they have Telehealth video options?
Do they offer a free phone consultation?
After you call, do they get back to you in a timely manner?
Okay, we’ve worked through Step 1 and Step 2 in finding a good therapist. It’s time to move onto Step 3, the Phone Consultation.
I highly recommend requesting a free phone consultation. Personally, I don’t accept a new client until after a brief phone consultation. I do this because I want to get to know the person looking for counseling. I don’t want to charge someone a session fee only to tell them that I am not the right fit for them and refer them to another therapist.
The phone consultation is beneficial for the person looking for counseling AND the prospective counselor. It’s beneficial for the counselor to hear what you are going through. It allows them to assess if their credentials and style match what you’re looking for. And then it also helps you to get a feel for the therapist’s style and personality. You can get a sense if you would feel comfortable seeing them or not. You also have the opportunity to ask a number of questions.
Here are a few questions you can ask during the free phone consultation:
What is your area of speciality? What type of training have you had in those areas?
Can you please explain your licensing qualifications?
What is your theoretical approach?
How would you describe your counseling style?
What is your current availability?
What are your fees?
Do you accept insurance? HSA cards? Do you have a sliding scale or a reduced rate?
Items for you to consider as you are talking with them:
Notice how you feel as you talk to them. Just pay attention to what comes up as you speak with them.
Did they thoroughly answer your questions?
Do you feel heard and listened to or rushed along?
If they are not a good fit, can they offer some recommendations for someone who would be?
Step 4: Try it out
Pick the therapist that feels like the best fit overall for you at this time. Give it a few sessions. If you have some doubts or have more questions, ask them. This is your time. Hopefully after about 3 sessions, you will feel more comfortable. By that time, you will be well on your way.
But, if after a few sessions you feel that it may not be such a good fit after all, feel free to try someone else out. If you are feeling uncomfortable or are really just not connecting with the therapist, it might just be the wrong fit. Sometimes it can take a few tries to find the right one. That’s okay. You’re allowed to switch.
Finding a counselor that is the right fit for you is worth the extra effort. I’ve created a printable PDF for you to use to help you with the process. Simply click the link to download: Find the Right Counselor for You
I wish you all the very best of luck. As always, if I can be of assistance, please feel free to click on the Contact link.