Recognizing the need for therapy can often be the hardest part of the journey. Still, once you have made this decision, it is equally important to find a counselor who will listen to your needs and preferences, particularly if you have never worked with a professional before. 

Many therapists offer a wide range of services, which can make it an overwhelming choice. In this guide, we break down some of the essential information you will need to help make an informed decision when finding the right counselor for you.

1. Understand the outcomes you want

Having a general idea about the goals and outcomes you want to achieve from therapy can go a long way towards choosing the right counselor. Understanding the areas you want to work on and why can help you hone in on the type of professional you need. Some common types of counselors are:

  • Licensed Professional Counselors: Work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to address a wide range of mental and behavioral issues using various approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy. 
  • Marriage and Family Therapists: Specialize in the relationship dynamics between couples and families, with a focus on family systems and communication patterns. 
  • Rehabilitation Counselors: Focus on helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal, social, and vocational goals. 
  • Substance Abuse Counselors: Assist individuals to overcome addiction and substance abuse issues and disorders. 
  • Child Counselors: Specialize in the specific needs of children and adolescents. 
  • Psychologists: Hold doctoral degrees and primarily offer psychotherapy (or talk therapy) to help people manage mental health conditions and improve overall well-being. 
  • Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who specialize in treating mental health issues and can prescribe medication.

There are plenty of counselors available, but not all may be the right person for you. The first step to finding the right therapist is to look for someone with an online counseling degree who specialises in the right areas of psychology for your unique needs.

2.  Check your insurance 

The cost of therapy can add up significantly over time. Reviewing your health insurance plan to see if mental health services are included can help avoid any potential bill shocks and reduce the overall out-of-pocket cost. Some things to review with your insurance include: 

  • Confirming if the therapist you are seeing is an in-network provider. If they are not, you may still want to check if they might reimburse you for some appointment costs.
  • Understanding if there are any plan limits to the number of sessions you can attend each year that are covered. 
  • Determine how much your insurance will cover, and what the out-of-pocket costs will be. 

Another option can be to look for therapists who offer sliding scales or free services, such as training programs that are connected to colleges or universities. These practices often employ student interns who are working towards a degree and are typically supervised by a licensed professional. 

3. Do your research

Once you have determined the type of therapy you want and found in-network providers, it’s time to narrow down your choices by doing some research into your selected therapists. Questions you may want to ask to help discover whether they are the right fit for you should include:

  • What is their academic background?
  • Are they a licensed healthcare provider in your state? Do they belong to any relevant professional organizations?
  • How many years have they been practicing?
  • What is their area of expertise? Does it align with your needs?
  • What are their office hours and availability? Does it align with your schedule?
  • What treatment approaches do they take?
  • What is their fee structure?

You should also listen to and read recommendations to help find a counselor who is a good fit for you. Whether the referral comes from a friend, family member, colleague, online, or your doctor, many people are more comfortable visiting a professional who has been recommended by someone they know and trust.

 4. Rapport is important

Finding someone whom you can trust and whom you can talk to about the most vulnerable parts of your life can be hard. After meeting with a counselor, you should take a moment to reflect on the visit and whether you felt comfortable with them, whether you were able to ask the questions you wanted, if you felt heard, and if you trust them to provide you with the best advice.

If your answer is anything other than ‘yes’ to all of this, then it may be worthwhile searching for another counselor who better suits your needs and whom you feel you can build better rapport. Your final decision on a counselor is a big one, and can significantly impact the outcomes you are trying to achieve, so recognizing you have not found a match early is far better than recognizing it late.