Seven ways to find a counselor

After you prioritize your preferences, consider the following ways to find the RIGHT counselor for you:

1. Word of mouth

This is probably the best way to find someone you can trust. If you are looking for a plumber, hairstylist, or mechanic, you probably ask someone you know for a recommendation. If they trust this person, then you probably feel that you can trust them too.

More people have been to a counselor than you might think. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Ask someone for a recommendation

If you are comfortable discussing your need for counseling, you can ask your friends, family, doctor, teachers at school, pastor, lawyer, neighbors, etc. and they may know someone personally.

You will feel more comfortable if the person comes highly recommended from someone you know and trust. You may also be able to find out what the counselor is like, how they operate, what they cost, etc.

2. Use the Internet

If you are still using the Yellow Pages, you can find someone there also. But you will find more detailed information online, and it will be updated more frequently since the Yellow Pages only gets printed once per year. Ask someone to help you search online if you need help.

There are many resources available online. You can type in the word “counselor” and your city or city and state and see what results you get. Or be more specific and include the type of counseling, i.e. “anxiety counseling Dallas”. Then you will pull up counselors that specialize in your specific issue.

It is a good idea to research any counselor referrals you receive from your friends by going online and seeing if they have a website or more information about themselves.

Look at their pictures.

You may get a positive or negative feeling from a simple photograph. If you like their photograph, then read their biographical/educational information usually found in an “About Me” or “Bio” page. This will give you insight into their interests, values, education and personal experiences.

You may be more interested in their therapeutic approach or services offered. Most counselors will list their specialties, and whether they work with children, adolescents, adults or other special populations.

You will also be interested in finding out costs and hours of availability. Some counselors post their fees online. Most list whether or not they are in network with various insurance companies. You can also search your insurance company website to find counselors in network with your insurance plan, if that is an important priority for you.

I still recommend doing further research on those counselors in your insurance network. Just because they take your insurance doesn’t mean that they have experience in working with your problem. You may choose to pay out of pocket to see an expert.

On the website, they may list their hours. Some counselors work part time only in the evening or weekends. Some work only certain days of the week or have office hours in 2 locations. Others are full time. Some work 9-5. Others have Saturday hours. Some work early mornings, and other have later evening appointments available.

Some counselors have online appointment schedulers. Some have receptionists or office managers who can answer questions and set up the appointment.

Don’t give up if someone doesn’t answer the phone the first time you call – leave a message!

It may be difficult to get in touch with the counselor at first, but don’t give up. Most counselors work alone and schedule their own appointments. They don’t answer the phone when they are in session with clients. They should call you back between appointments or at the end of the day.

Please leave a message or send an email with good times to reach you. Many counselors manage their own calendars, and may return calls between sessions (the best time to call is usually 5 minutes before the hour). You should receive a return phone call within 24 hours. Sometimes an email receives a quicker response.

3. Contact your health insurance company

You can call the number on the insurance card, or visit their website to see a list of in network providers.

If using your insurance is a priority for you, then call your insurance company or go online to their website. Most insurance companies have websites where you can “find a provider” or “find a doctor”. You can search by name, location, or specialties.

In network providers are those who have agreed to accept a discounted rate for their services in exchange for a listing on the insurance website. They have also agreed to file claims and submit reports to the insurance company as required.

4. Contact your church or other faith based organizations

If your faith is important to you, ask your pastor or church receptionist for counseling referrals. They may have counselors on staff at your church, or the pastor may do some counseling. If not, they probably have a list of counselors that the pastor recommends.

If your church doesn’t have a referral list, then call other churches in your area and ask them who they recommend.

You can also look up Focus on the Family, New Life Ministries, Find Christian Counselor, Church Angel, Jewish/Catholic/Lutheran Social Services, American Association of Christian Counselors, or other resources online.

5. Online counselor directories

Psychology Today and Good Therapy are two most popular counselor directories. They have many therapists listed in their directories.

You can search by your zip code, and read each counselor’s profile.

You can find out what they charge, what insurances they accept, and what they specialize in.

You can read a little about them and see a photo. If they have a website, there will be a link to the site.

There are also some specialized directories and message boards for various counseling issues. Type in your issue or your diagnosis and the word “counseling” and see what comes up.

6. Call your local schools

School counselors or administrators usually have a list of counselors that work with kids/teens.

7. Call your doctor

Many people go to their doctor for help with depression, anxiety, or fatigue. That is a great first step. It is a good idea to have a complete physical with blood work done every year, especially if you are not feeling well. Your doctor can rule out any physical illnesses or issues that might be contributing to your symptoms of fatigue, lack of motivation, or lack of concentration.

Make an appointment with your primary care physician. Get a complete physical and blood/lab work that can rule out any medical or physical problems that may be contributing to your emotional issues.

Talk to your doctor about your feelings. Tell them if you are sad, angry, unmotivated, fatigued, or suicidal.

They should have a list of counselors they frequently partner with and trust. They will also talk to you about the need for any medication and make referrals to psychiatrists if necessary. Psychiatrists are specialists in medication for emotional issues, such as depression, and anxiety. Most counselors cannot prescribe medication, but they do work closely with your physician or psychiatrist to provide the most effective care possible.

The most effective results are achieved by a combination of medication and counseling – more effective than either medication or counseling alone.

 

 

Psychotherapy 360 w/ Seattle Counseling Professionals Anne Ihnen and Christine Wylde – Seattle Counselors Anne Ihnen and Christine Wylde discuss the recent gay youth suicides and the “It Gets Better” project.

 

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counseling counselors

The mission of this forty-eight chapter Handbook is to provide a comprehensive reference source that integrates counseling theory, research and practice into one volume. It is designed to meet the needs of entry-level practitioners from their initial

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Counseling the Counselor

counseling counselors

Many pastoral counseling ministries fail because of poorly trained staff and lack of proper planning. Counseling the Counselor gives the ministry staff or leader much needed and required information in order to implement and sustain such a spiritual

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Price: $ 18.99

 

The Beginning Counselor’s Survival Guide: The New Counselor’s Guide to Success from Practicum to Licensure

counseling counselors

In this book, you will learn how to:

Interview a potential counseling site as they are interviewing you.

Develop, step-by-step, your new counselor marketing strategy.

Apply for temporary licensure.

Practice

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Housing counselors face crush of customers under Oregon foreclosure law

Filed under: counseling counselors

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ERC to drop counseling, service moving to SHC

Filed under: counseling counselors

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Filed under: counseling counselors

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