How to Choose the Right Counsellor

Going for counselling can be scary, especially if you've never been. In your first counselling session, you don't know what to expect or what your counsellor will be like. You might fear whether they'll judge you for your problems or what they'll say about your situation. These thoughts and fears are all natural. But, what you need to know is that the counsellor is there to help you; in fact, their whole career is oriented around helping people.

That said, it doesn't mean you should go to any old counsellor. You should still take the time to find the counsellor who'll be the most effective at helping you through your struggles. In this article, we'll give you some tips to help you find the right counsellor. Here they are:

1. Choose the type of counselling you need.

Before you can choose a counsellor or therapist, you need to know what type of counselling you need. There are several types of counselling out there, including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and even dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Or, you might just need to see someone to talk through your feelings. In this case, you could visit a family therapist. 

2. Consider your budget and what insurance will cover.

For certain mental issues or disorders, your medical insurance might cover the cost of you to see a counsellor. Checking this before you start going for counselling is a great way to save money. If not, then you'll want to check how many counselling sessions you can afford and budget them each month accordingly. 

3. Get advice from a doctor.

If you're really unsure of where to find the right counsellor, then ask another medical professional like your doctor. Doctors see many patients on a regular basis and often refer them to specialists. Your doctor might know exactly who they should send you to based on their relationship with you. 

4. Get referrals.

If you don't come right by asking your doctor, get referrals from other people. Ask your family or friends if they know of a good counsellor who'd be the right fit for you. Nine times out of ten, they'll be able to refer you to someone they've had personal experience with. You could also ask other organisations often affiliated with counsellors, like schools, universities, insurance companies, or even your place of worship. All these places often utilise a counsellor in one way or another and might be able to refer you to the right person. 

5. Check their qualifications.

When you find a therapist, checking their qualifications is a great way to see if they'll be a good fit for you or not. Counsellors with more advanced degrees, like those who hold a Master of Counselling or even further, are usually more equipped to deal with your situation. Likewise, the fact that they have studied so far demonstrates their level of dedication to their job and you as the client.

That said, these counsellors might be more expensive, and not every counsellor has this level of qualification, which could limit your options. So, you could also check to see that your counsellor is licensed to practice and that they've had some form of education in the field that'll equip them to counsel you.

6. Consider what your goals are.

Deciding why you need therapy and setting out a list of therapy goals is also a convenient way of finding the right counsellor. For instance, by defining what your counselling goals are, you could find a particular counsellor who specialises in dealing with those cases. For example, some counsellors might specialise in working with people in high business positions, helping them work through the stresses of the business world.

Likewise, another counsellor might specialise in trauma counselling, helping people work through traumatic events that they've experienced as children or through their lives. Your goals could include dealing with stress or working through issues that cause you to distrust people. Whatever it is, once you know them, be sure to communicate them with your counsellor clearly. This will help them chart a treatment plan that they'll base your sessions on as they help you work towards your goals.

7. Ask them questions about their practice.

While you're still looking for a counsellor, don't be afraid to ask them a few questions so that you get to know them a little better. Questions like how long have you been a counsellor, what kind of therapy do you specialise in, and how do you approach certain situations should all shed some light on how they approach counselling and will give you an idea of whether they're the right counsellor for you or not. 

8. Don't just go to one counsellor.

Counselling isn't an instant fix. Often, to work through difficult situations, you'd need to go for multiple counselling sessions. Thus, it's best to find a counsellor that you'd be comfortable seeing for the long term. To do this, you'd need to try out more than one counsellor.

You can even try looking online. Many people find counsellors whom they prefer to local counsellors online. Yes, you'd need to ensure that you have the equipment to meet a counsellor online, but you'll also be able to source counsellors all over the world, opening up your opportunities to find the right one.

Final Thoughts

Counselling is probably one of the most beneficial treatments to help people through mental and emotional issues, even more so if you can find the right counsellor. The right counsellor should be someone you can trust, who doesn't push you too hard but effectively guides you through the counselling process. We trust that these tips will help you find the perfect counsellor to help you through your problems.