How To Find a Counselor Near Me?
If you don’t personally know a therapist, counselor, or psychologist, finding the right one can be challenging. Time after time, I hear from people, “It’s so hard to find a counselor.”
Most people are intimidated by the process of trying to find a counselor or therapist and as such, they simply avoid it or put it off. Others are unfamiliar with what therapy is really like and fear the unknown. And still for others, they may have had a negative experience in counseling in the past are hesitant to try again.
Over the years I have learned that the number one factor in determining success in therapy is the connection one feels with their counselor. But how do you find someone who is a good fit for you?
Here are a some of options for you to find the best counselor for you:
Ask a Trusted Friend or Family Member
Some of us don’t openly talk about seeking counseling or therapy, but it’s more common than you might think. You might ask a friend or family member if they’ve ever been in counseling for themselves and if they could give you the name of a trusted provider. Or simply asking, “Do you know how to find a good counselor?” might reveal some great resources, not to mention start a meaningful conversation filled with opportunity for emotional connectedness.
Ask Someone in the Mental Health Counseling Field
Maybe you have a trusted friend or family member who’s in the counseling field. Great! Ask them, “Who’s your favorite therapist to refer clients to?”
Often, therapists and counselors have a network they refer to in the event that they’re not a good fit for a potential client whatever the reason may be (whether specialty, scheduling conflict, rates and insurance, etc.).
I primarily work with adults and teens so I have a few therapists I refer to when I receive calls from parents seeking counseling and therapy for their younger children, or if I get referrals for situations I believe are outside my scope of practice.
Ask Your Primary Care Physician
Typically, primary care offices, and sometimes specialty healthcare offices, have therapists they refer to when their patients ask. You probably don’t even have to schedule an appointment. Just the office and ask the administration team if they have therapists they refer to. Of course, if you’re more comfortable asking the doctor directly, you can always ask to speak with them.
Ask Your Attorney
Believe it or not attorneys often have a network of therapists they refer to as their clients often need further support. Divorce attorneys are a great place to start. They may know of therapists they refer to for divorce counseling or relationship counseling when their clients ask. Probate and Real Estate attorneys are another great source as they likely have clients in need of anxiety counseling.
Google Knows Best
If you’ve exhausted all of the above, or none of the above apply to you, a simple Google search might provide you what you’re looking for. Depending on the nature of your concerns, you might search for, “counselor near me for anxiety” or “best anxiety therapist near me.”
Check out a Therapist Directory.
Therapist directories give you an opportunity to filter for issues treated, gender of therapist, age group(s) treated, language spoken, and types of therapy offered. Here are a few therapist directories to try: Psychology Today, Good Therapy, and Therapy Den.
James Killian, LPC is an anxiety counselor in Woodbridge, CT and the Principal Therapist & Owner of Arcadian Counseling. If you need help finding the right therapist for you, we are happy to help. Contact us today!
Originally published at https://arcadiancounseling.com on June 17, 2019.
