How to choose a counselor

How to choose a counselor 

There is no doubt that after 2020 many of us will want to, or at least should, see out counseling.  Counselors, however, are just like medical doctors in that they are offering a medical intervention to treat an issue you may have.  This also means that you have to do the hard work of finding a counseling who works well within your life.  Here are the major considerations when choosing a counselor: 

1 \\ Location and Schedule 

If you have to drive one hour to fit into the singular time slot your therapist has, then there is not much flexibility for you to miss a session or reschedule.  This means that it is easier to miss your appointment or to find that it is too much of a hassle to attend all together.  Find a therapist who is close enough to your home or work and that has scheduling options that work really well for you and your family. 

2 \\ Orientation 

Theoretical orientation of your counselor will be the main influence for the way they diagnose and render treatment during your sessions.  It can be overwhelming to try to understand each orientation completely.  Follow this link to read about some of the most used theoretical orientations. 

3 \\ Inclusion  

You have the right to interview your clinician.  Just like choosing a doctor, choosing a therapist requires that you understand your clinician’s qualifications to treat you.  If your counselor lacks an understanding of BIPOC issues or has different beliefs regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ issues, you will suffer in the long run.   

4 \\ Relationship 

The relationship you have with your counselor is the number one indicator of success in therapy.  Take time during the intake session to get to know your clinician.  If they do not seem to match well with your personality, therapy can be stunted or a bit of a struggle.   

Trust in your intuition and the way that you feel when you enter your counselor’s office.  If you feel uncomfortable and that you cannot be yourself, it will be hard to be honest or grow in difficult moments in future sessions.