Finding the Right Counselor

Taking the first step on your healing journey can be a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider. Do you want in-person appointments? Would telehealth be better? Where do you even start looking for a therapist? What do all the letters mean?

It can seem like a daunting task when looking at all the different aspects. However, you have taken one of the most difficult first steps in deciding to engage in therapy, so don’t be discouraged. You are not alone. Many people don’t start by knowing exactly what they are looking for in a therapist or what the counseling practice has to offer.

Finding the right therapist who will provide a safe and supportive space for you is key. Here are a few thoughts to help you navigate the process of finding a counselor.

Decide What You Want

Before making your first phone call, think about why you are seeking therapy. Are you encountering a difficult situation at work, experiencing relationship challenges, or wanting to learn tools to help you navigate your emotions? Knowing a general direction for your healing journey will help you in your search for a counselor.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Therapy is not one size fits all. Our goal as counselors is to tailor your treatment and sessions to you and your needs. For some people, talk therapy alone works for them. For others, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), or trying Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps them on their journey.

Therapists will use a variety of evidence-based approaches to guide and work with clients to reach their goals.

Question and Connections

As you start your search, take the time to read the bios of the clinicians. Bios can help determine if a clinician will be a good fit. Many clinicians offer a brief free 15-minute consultation. While not meant to be a therapy session, consultation calls allow you to ask about a clinician's approach, how sessions are structured, or even why they wanted to be a therapist.

Starting the conversation gives you an idea of the therapist's approach, style, and allows you to be the navigator on your healing journey. Building rapport with your therapist is key. If you can’t give your trust to the therapist, you will have a difficult time progressing.

What Are All the Letters About

Counselors have completed at a minimum a Master’s Program from an accredited school, completed a year-long internship, applied and been approved for the appropriate license from the state governing boards. Depending on the program and the state the counselor is located, they will have different licenses and credentials. Remember, while credentials are important, they are not the be-all and end-all. Seeing a counselor with a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) does not mean you will automatically have a better experience than someone who is seeing a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and vice versa.

When determining the type of counselor, see if they have specialized training, certifications, or life experience that would make all the difference in your healing journey.

Insurance or Self Pay

Many insurance plans include mental health coverage and benefits. However, they vary by plan and insurance carrier. You can contact your insurance provider to inquire about benefits and ensure the provider you selected is in network for you.

If planning on self-paying, check the fees for the counselor and see if the practice has lower self-pay rates or a sliding scale. If a practice is not in network with your insurance, many will offer a superbill, which is a receipt of your payments, for you to submit to your insurance company to apply to your out-of-network benefits.

Realistic Expectations

Therapy is a process. It can take time to meet the goals you and your counselor discuss. Everyone is different, we tailor treatment and sessions to be client-centered. Progress will also be different from person to person. That is ok. You have to move at your pace, not anyone else's.

 Some sessions may have amazing breakthroughs, and other sessions may feel like you just vented about your day. Both types of sessions are important aspects of the process.

Sometimes progress is obvious, consistently setting boundaries and sticking to them with pushy co-workers or family members. Other times, progress is quiet with small shifts you may not even notice until someone points out how you seem different.

To Go Far, Go With Someone

As you are on your healing journey, sometimes the direction changes or you encounter a detour, and your goals shift. It’s ok to move in a different direction for therapy. Often, when you are working through something, you discover something else or the root cause of your challenge. You and your counselor will re-evaluate your goals and change to meet your counseling needs.

Details, Details

Counseling sessions can be in person or via telehealth. It is important to find which method works best for you. Therapy is effective but does require a time commitment. Think about how you will be able to best show up for yourself.

First Steps of the Journey

There is no clear-cut method for finding the right counselor. Determining how counseling will best fit into your routine is one of the keys to success. You may have a few consultations with counselors before finding one that clicks with you. Knowing that no one counselor is an ideal fit for every client is important.

Counselors won’t have all the answers, but we will work with you on your journey and be there with you to celebrate the breakthroughs, encourage you through difficult sessions, and challenge you in a supportive manner.

Keep your search simple, look for integrity, respect, and honesty. Find a practice that makes you feel seen, heard, and cared about.

If you are interested in starting your journey with Tea & Empathy Counseling or have any questions about our providers, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 757-210-3090.

We will hold the hope for you until you are ready to pick it up yourself.