If quarantine has allowed more time for you to soul search, you may have found areas where you’d like to see growth or peace. If you’re struggling to tackle these things alone, that’s okay. Counseling is a great way to work through inner thoughts and emotions that seem too taxing to touch on your own.
We believe now is a great time to find the right therapist for you. Keep some of these things in mind as you search.
Look For What You Need
From depression to family trauma, there are many different specialties within the mental health profession. We encourage you to find a therapist who has experience tackling the issues you struggle with. It may also be helpful to look for commonalities — such as a similar background or lifestyle — that will give you a sense of familiarity and make it easier to relax and open up.
Check For Proper Certification
Make sure your counselor is licensed! Look for titles like these:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP)
If you need to validate credentials, head to your state’s Department of Consumer Affairs website.
Take Advantage Of The Initial Discovery Call
Many therapists hold a free pre-screening or consultation to assess your needs and make sure you are the right fit. This is your time to ask all the questions on your heart and express expectations about the healing you want to see in your life.
Trust Your First Impression
Therapy only works if you feel comfortable enough to let down your guard and be vulnerable with the therapist you choose. This takes mutual respect and trust. Because of that, we encourage you to observe the verbal and nonverbal cues that the therapist gives off when you first met them. Do they seem friendly, inviting, and trustworthy? If anything feels off, trust yourself enough to move on to explore other options.
Take Your Time
Finding the right therapist may take time and a little trial-and-error, but be empowered by your initiative to ask for help and make strides to become a better you. Your body, mind, and spirit will reap benefits that you won’t regret. We believe in you, and wish you much healing and joy!
I like how you said that it is important to take your first impression of a potential therapist into account and see if they seem inviting and trustworthy. My younger brother has suffered from anxiety for the past couple of years and my parents want to find him a great therapist. I’ll make sure that they choose a therapist that makes a great first impression and is perfect for my brother. https://nywellnesscounseling.com/services