No one ever talks about how to pick a counselor. It can be daunting to think about cold calling a stranger and then sharing your struggles in a counseling session. Here are are a few considerations to help ease the process.
The first step to finding the right counselor is to know where to look. Recommendations from friends and family can be helpful. Check your local newspaper or Chamber of Commerce. You may also search online. Perhaps one of the most popular and extensive online counselor finders is www.psychologytoday.com.
The next step is to determine which counselor is the best fit or you. There are several things to consider including approach, education level, and connection.
Approach
There are many different approaches to counseling. Some counselors focus mainly on how a person thinks about life. Others view issues from the lens of how they are connected to others. Some think that working through the past is key to moving forward and and others do not focus on the past at all. There is no right or wrong approach, but some approaches may fit one individual or situation better than others. When looking for a counselor, consider what is important to you and ask about a potential counselor’s approach, assess his/her style and determine if it is a good fit for you.
Education level
The letters behind a counselor’s name are informative, but can be very confusing as well. These letters reflect an individual’s education level and experience. A few common ones for Nebraska include:
- Psychiatrist (MD) – A medical doctor with additional training and expertise in medication for mental health issues
- Psychologist (Ph.D or PsyD) – An individual with a doctorate in mental health issues
- LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner) – An individual with a Master’s degree, the required experience and supervision for licensure, and an additional 1,500 hours of counseling individuals with major mental health issues.
- LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) – Similar to the LIMHP, but without the additional 1,500 hours
Connection
Perhaps the most important consideration is whether you feel connected to the counselor. Not everyone is a good fit. That’s okay. Feel free to interview a prospective counselor over the phone and get a feeling as to whether you think you would be a natural fit. If not, it is perfectly okay to look for a different counselor. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident that you are getting the care you need.
Photo by Temari 09 CC BY 2.0.
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Published in the Tri-City TRIBUNE (Cozad, Nebraska) on March 28, 2015.
