Your mental well-being is above everything! At any point in life, you may need a listener or a therapist to support your psychological health. Deciding on a good counselor is not as easy as it looks, as one must acknowledge several aspects.
Thanks to the technology advancement, now one can search and opt for a therapist from the comfort of their couch. All you need to do is search for “counselors near me” on the internet, and it will fill the page with many options to pick from. Some people also prefer to go for offline searching as well as they feel more connected.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a counselor, no matter offline or online, this guide will help you in making the right choice. Read further and learn about what points should be considered while deciding on a therapist.
Factors to Acknowledge When Choosing the Best Counselor
Opting for the right therapist can have a significant impact on your mental health. It is vital to contemplate the aspects given below while picking up an advisor for yourself:
- Know What You Aim: Take a notepad and write down all the therapy goals you wish to achieve. This will help in narrowing the options. Knowing the specific issues that need to be addressed can assist in making the right choice.
A person can have any psychic concerns like depression, anxiety, relationship problems, career stress, etc. It is also okay to not know what one exactly wants. Several good advisors are available to help in assisting people to know their therapy goals and then help to achieve them.
- Look Out for Recommendations: Another great way to find an efficient counselor is a referral. You can ask people whom you are comfortable with or your close ones with good listening skills that can help you find a suitable therapist.
However, don’t go for the ones who work or indulge in any other activity with your friends or family as it may not be helpful for your personal or emotional needs.
- Inspect the Background: No matter if you find someone on the internet or a close friend of yours referred to a good doctor, it is vital to check the credentials and reviews of the doctor you’re going to receive therapy from.
A mere therapist’s title is not enough to make the person qualified. It is important to look for their experience, feedback, qualifications, area of expertise, license, etc.
(This graph shows the number of U.S. adults who received mental health treatment or counseling, from 2002 to 2021, in millions).
- Understand Your Budget: Getting therapies can be an expensive deal. It is necessary to consult the insurance or finance advisors and make a budget. Try to look for discounts or plans offered by your insurance company or the counselor you have picked.
Many insurance companies provide special plans regarding the sessions or reimburse the amount spent. You can also go for the sessions without any payment plans but that can cost you a hefty amount.
- Cultural Competence: Another factor that must not be overlooked is to consider the cultural competence of the therapist. If you have a specific identity or values, an advisor who shares the same values can be more close to you.
For example, someone from the LGBTQIA community will feel more connected to a person coming from the same society or who has experience working with them.
Things to Avoid While Choosing a Counselor
While there are so many points to examine when opting for a therapist, certain things are important to avoid as well.
- Don’t Go for Big Names: Not all glitter is gold. Just because an organization has a big name, or is on the top of the list on the internet, doesn’t mean it will fulfill all your needs. Don’t go for mere appearances, thoroughly research the background of the one you’re thinking of finalizing.
- Don’t Choose the Counselor in Only One Session: It can be a huge mistake to finalize a therapist based on only one session with them. On the first day, there can be a lot of formalities like paperwork, etc.
Also, you can feel a bit awkward opening up during your first conversation or you may not get to see the full essence of your therapist. Take two or three sessions before finalizing one.
Do You Know?
There are over 198,811 therapists and 81,000 psychologists practicing in the U.S.
Conclusion
Finding the right counselor can take a lot of workaround, but it is all worth it. In this journey, you may find some therapists who may not meet your expectations but don’t worry. Keep looking for the recommendations and don’t forget to consider feedback.
