Choosing a mental health counselor can be a daunting task. Not only are you sharing intimate parts of yourself with someone, but they also start as a complete stranger!
However, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s important to talk to someone! There are steps you can take to make sure your mental health therapist is right for you.
If you’re not sure where to start when looking for a mental health professional, be sure to keep reading for some of the most important factors to keep in mind before setting up your first appointment.
1. Ask Around
If you’re comfortable sharing your interest in finding mental health services with friends and family, you can ask for recommendations. Many people are very willing to share the name of their counselor!
While some therapists may not see members of the same family due to a conflict of interest, they may also have recommendations.
Not comfortable with expressing your interest in finding mental health services to your friends? Don’t be afraid to ask your primary care physician for a referral!
2. Do Your Research
When looking into mental health services, you’ll want to do a bit of research about any potential counselors you’ll meet. This includes what their specialties are, as well as their client focus.
Some professionals only meet with clients within a specific age group or only focus on specific mental illnesses. Make sure you fit within the age range before reaching out to save you time.
You’ll also want to take a look at what insurance coverages the counselor accepts. This can impact how much you pay out of pocket!
3. What Style Do They Use?
Many therapists will briefly describe the different types of communication and treatment approaches they take to help their clients. What kind of treatment you receive can be determined by these signs.
While many of these terms, like cognitive-behavioral therapy or eclectic therapy, may seem foreign, you can quickly look up a basic definition. This will help you understand the services that a professional can offer you.
4. Look at Reviews
Once you narrow down your search by recommendations, research, and insurance coverage, you may want to take a look at online patient reviews. This can help give you insight as to what real-life people think.
When reading reviews, make sure to evaluate and think critically. If there are only one or two bad reviews out of hundreds of glowing comments, you should feel confident that the counselor has helped many.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Mental Health Counselor
With the growing mental health awareness movement, it’s much easier for people to express they need someone to talk to. As therapy and other services are becoming destigmatized, many are benefiting from sessions.
When choosing mental health facilities or professionals, your comfort is the most important thing. If you feel as though your counselor isn’t a good fit, don’t be afraid to look for a new one!
If you found this guide to choosing the best mental health counselor helpful, make sure to visit the rest of our website for more important health and lifestyle content.
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