Quick Tips to Choosing the Right Counselor

3/21/2013

Counseling isn’t like a regular medical practice. In medicine, it doesn’t matter whether or not you like your doctor. If you’re sick, your doctor can cure you and you can still hate them. Doesn’t matter. If you’re deathly ill and go to the ER, you may not even have a clue who your admitting doctor may be. He could be the worst person in the world, and it wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans because that vile doctor can still save your life whether you like it or not.

In psychology, whether or not you like your counselor matters. A LOT. If you don’t like your counselor, you may have a much more difficult time confiding in him or her. If you don’t like your counselor, you may be more reluctant follow the guidance that they set forth. Research shows that you are also more likely to end up suing your counselor if you don’t like them.

Best advice: before you pay money to sit down and talk to someone once a week for an hour, research that person. Read their blogs. Find out what kind of clients they like to take. If they offer free consultations, take advantage of that. Choosing a counselor is like choosing someone to marry, you aren’t going to be able to do this an infinite amount of times so you gotta make it count. The more you can match yourself with your counselor the better, and you will generally find better results. Counseling can be a life changing experience, or it can be a gigantic waste of time. Make sure to find someone with whom you can connect.

Chase Chick MPA LPC is CEO and co-founder of Beyond the Gray Sky, whose brands include Pursuit of Happiness, Dallas Psychology Review, and Luxe Media Productions.

72 Comments

teenlust link

9/28/2013 07:52:59 am

Was browsing through Weebly when I stumbled here

Annika Larson link

3/24/2017 12:31:38 pm

My sister has been having several problems with her marriage, and we are looking to help her find a counselor. As you said, it's important to research a person, and their blogs can be a good way to see a little bit into their personality and knowledge. We will be sure to use these tips to find the right therapist for my sister and her husband. Thanks for sharing!

Marcus link

8/4/2017 12:44:17 pm

It really helped when you mentioned how you need to find a counselor you like in order to get the best results from your sessions. I can see that looking for someone you can get along with can allow you to reduce the stress of your situation and have someone you can openly talk to. Personally, I would want to make sure I take the time to consult with my insurance so I get a list of offices within their network in order to find a reputable advisor.

Finley Moreira link

8/14/2017 12:55:01 pm

It's good to know that the better you match with your counselor, the better your results will be. My friend was telling me the other day how she's looking at getting counseling for some anxiety she's been dealing with. I'll make sure to let her know that picking the right counselor that she meshes well with is of utmost importance in her search.

jual alat bantu wanita link

9/6/2017 05:08:55 am

I am happy with the information I have read here, I think it has been very helpful and helpful to me and my friends who have already visited this page. Here I can only say that the information that will come will increasingly provide better value, and more useful, I say thank you and the more successful and successful.

Kyle Wayne link

10/10/2017 02:49:49 pm

I like that you mention how important it is that you like your counselor. My sister is looking to hire a counselor for some forensic evaluations. I'll be sure to talk to her about finding a professional that she likes.

Ernest London link

10/18/2017 11:27:39 am

I like that you mentioned to read the blogs of a counselor. It makes sense that you could discern whether or not they would be a good fit for you by reading some of their writing and learning about their past experiences. I want to find a counselor to help me with my anxiety. I will keep this in mind as I search.

Tammie Houston link

10/23/2017 09:59:41 pm

I agree that in choosing a therapist, you have to go for someone that you're confident in opening up to. They won't be able to fully extend their assistance to you if you're reluctant to accept their guidance. If I were to choose my therapist, I want to be sure that I'm comfortable around them, and that I don't have to hesitate in disclosing anything. I love you advice. Thanks for this!

Ivy Baker link

12/7/2017 07:21:49 pm

This is some really good information about adult counseling. I liked that you pointed out that it would be best to do at least an hour of research on the counselor before you choose to go with them. Personally, I would want to know how they took notes. If it was while I was talking or if they do recordings.

Roger Middleton link

12/19/2017 08:23:29 pm

My daughter deals with severe anxiety and we've been wanting to help her out by getting her a therapist during this time in her life. I liked that you had mentioned that it can be important to find a counselor who has experience dealing with similar situations so they can relate. We'll have to start doing some research into a few therapists in the area that can help her out with her anxiety that have also dealt with anxiety.

Jordan link

12/27/2017 01:19:06 pm

I've been looking for a good mental health counselor for my brother, and I think that some help would be good. I'm glad you talked about being able to do research on someone before getting a mental health counselor. I'm going to have to see what I can find and hopefully get my brother the help he needs!

Jack Duff link

1/10/2018 08:23:53 pm

I like that you mentioned that you need to find a counselor that you really like. It makes sense that this would make it much easier to confide in them. I need to find a counselor to help me deal with my anxiety, and I want to know what to look for. I will definitely keep this in mind, thanks!

Ashley Maxwell link

1/22/2018 02:24:45 pm

I appreciate your tip to choose a counselor that you could see yourself having a good relationship with. I like how you said that they should you like and would be willing to trust and follow their advice. My sister struggles with a low self-esteem. My husband and I are looking into counselors for her that she will like and be able to connect with.

Hannah Neilson link

1/22/2018 08:23:43 pm

I agree that you want to find out what kind of clients a marriage counselor usually takes. It would be good to consider this because it would help ensure that they will mesh with you. My brother needs help choosing a marriage counselor, so he'll have to find someone who takes similar clients to help him and his wife.

Ivy Baker link

1/31/2018 05:27:23 pm

This is some really good information about the therapist. I like that you pointed out that the best thing to do is to research the person before going to them. Personally, I would want to know how patient a therapist is before going.

Roger Middleton link

1/31/2018 08:02:22 pm

My wife has been struggling with a few things and we haven't been sure how to get them taken care of. I liked that you had mentioned that it can be important to find a counselor that you like and get along with. We'll have to start looking around at counseling services in the area that can get her that help.

hannah neilson link

2/27/2018 03:22:51 pm

I agree that you would want to research a therapist before choosing them. It would be smart to consider this because it would tell you a lot about their experience and qualifications. I'm looking for a therapist to help with some anxiety, so I'll have to research them first.

hannah neilson link

3/7/2018 05:44:08 pm

I agree that you would want to like your therapist because it would make it much easier to confide in them. Finding someone who you have a good relationship with would make it easy to open up and be honest with them. My anxiety disorder has been getting much worse since I started college last semester, so I'll have to consider how easy it is to confide in a therapist before I choose them to help me.

Earnest Watkins link

3/9/2018 10:32:39 am

It's good to know that I should find a counselor that I like when deciding which couple's therapist. My wife and I are thinking of trying therapy together, so this is definitely helpful. We'll consider a counselor's personality before deciding on who to go with. http://www.ctrfamilyguidance.com/treatment/traditional-treatment/therapy/

Gary Puntman link

3/22/2018 09:47:15 am

I've never heard the tip of finding out what type of client's a counselor likes to take. We usually put a lot of emphasis on finding a counselor that is best for you that we forget about if you are a good fit for that counselor as well. I think the most successful counseling sessions would come from someone you are able to connect with and who can connect with you as well.

Ridley link

3/27/2018 03:34:33 pm

I can see why seeing a counselor is a good idea. It makes sense that you should really like who you talk to. Why would you open up to someone who you didn't even like being around?

Ashley Turns link

4/5/2018 07:49:14 pm

I like your advice to research what kind of clients the specialist usually takes. Since my husband and I are in need of some marriage counseling, we are wondering how to find the best therapist to help us. We will be sure to find a marriage counseling therapist who typically works with clients like us.

Jordan link

4/24/2018 11:05:10 am

My nephew could really benefit from some counseling, so I wanted to look at some options. I'm glad you talked about researching a potential counselor or therapist before paying and sitting down with them. I'm going to have to look for a few good counseling services and see what we can find to help him!

Gary Puntman link

6/22/2018 10:54:54 am

I agree that you need to consider if you like the counselor in general or not. You will have a much better experience if you can connect personally with your counselor. You should do plenty of research to see if they are someone you will like.

Mark Murphy link

8/24/2018 08:28:04 am

I really appreciate your tip to research any potential counselors. My wife and I have been considering getting a counselor for our son. I will be sure to tell my wife that we should do some research to find someone who will be a good fit!

Marcus link

8/27/2018 03:54:41 pm

I totally agree with you in that it is important to research the therapist you want to work with. I can see that taking the time to compare several professionals can help you find the best way to maintain your mental health. We are planning on meeting with a therapist to help our son with anxiety.

Katie Wilson link

10/2/2018 08:42:56 pm

Thanks for the tip about researching a counselor before choosing them. It would be good to consider researching them before choosing them. My husband and I are looking for a therapist, so we'll have to research them first.

Rosie Beckett link

10/5/2018 11:40:31 am

It makes a lot of sense that you say to look for a counselor who you can connect with because this will give you the confidence to confide in them. My younger sister struggles with major depression disorder and finding a counselor who she can talk to and share her troubles with would help a lot. It makes sense that you should visit different counselors before choosing one and I will tell my sister to take advantage of free consultations because this way she can choose a counselor who she gets along well with.

Gerty Gift link

12/18/2018 11:28:02 am

Thank you for explaining how important it is to have a counselor that you feel comfortable with. I've been thinking about finding a counselor, but I've doubted my ability to find someone I was really comfortable with. It's a resolution that I'll make to find someone that will really work well with me so that I can learn how to deal with my depression and anxiety.

Marcus link

6/18/2019 12:33:22 pm

My brother needs some counseling to help him with his newly born. It is cool to know that you should get a counselor that you can get along with. I can see that doing some research and looking at online reviews can help you find the best counselor in your area.

David Johnson link

6/24/2019 11:27:56 am

I thought it was insightful how you explain that if you don't like your counselor, you won't be able to confide in them as well. Personally, because we often don't understand ourselves, I think being able to confide in someone who can then give you strategies to improve would be essential. I'll definitely have to research marriage counseling services more.

Katie Wilson link

6/25/2019 01:11:01 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good therapist. It would make sense to consider if you get along well. My husband and I are looking for a therapist for our daughter, so we'll have to check their qualifications first.

Katie Wilson link

6/25/2019 04:37:13 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good counselor. I agree that you want to find someone who you have researched first. My husband and I are looking for a counselor, so we'll have to research them first.

Marcus link

6/27/2019 12:36:20 pm

Thanks for the tips to find a counselor. It is important to know what you need them for when choosing one. We need to get presentation skills and need someone to coach us.

Angela Waterford link

7/2/2019 01:11:00 pm

It's true that counseling isn't a regular medical practice. I think I'll go to an adult counselor that I'll like. I'll make sure to do my research so that I'll be able to assess if I should go to them or not.

Katie Wilson link

7/9/2019 02:17:57 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good marriage counselor. It would make sense to check how well you get along with them first. My husband and I are looking for someone to help with our marriage, so we'll have to make sure we get along with them first.

Angela Waterford link

7/17/2019 05:03:20 am

I wasn't aware that counseling isn't a regular practice. I think I'll see a counselor for my anxiety that I'll like. I'll be sure to read their blog before visiting them so that I'll know if they are worth paying for or not.

Hannah Neilson link

7/17/2019 01:21:28 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good therapist. I agree that you want to find someone you like first. My husband and I are looking for a therapist, so we'll have to check their qualifications first.

Katie Wilson link

7/23/2019 11:38:05 am

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good psychologist. I agree that you want to find someone who you get along with in order to know they are going to be right for you. My husband and I are looking for a psychologist, so we'll have to make sure we get along with them first.

kate hansen link

7/26/2019 11:31:59 am

I like how you included that you should research a therapist before seeing one. My brother has been wanting to go to therapy because he's been struggling with anxiety for a while and he wants to know how to find the right one. I'll make sure to pass this information along to him if he decides to get counseling.

Larry Weaver link

7/30/2019 12:46:26 pm

Thanks for the tips on finding a counselor. I have been feeling pretty stressed out lately. Maybe a counselor would help me feel better.

Katie Wilson link

8/6/2019 04:56:17 pm

You make some great points on how to find the right therapist. I agree that you want to find out what kind of clients a counselor takes before you choose them. In addition to this, checking their education background would help you know they are right for you.

Sophia Slate link

9/26/2019 01:33:37 pm

Thank you for mentioning that you should research a counselor before hiring them. My friend has trouble with substance abuse and needs to go to counseling. I will definitely pass along all of your great tips and information to my friend so she can find a suitable counselor.

Jenna Hunter link

9/30/2019 02:12:36 pm

My cousin is looking for a counselor. She would really like to find a professional. I'll be sure to tell her these quick tips to choose the right counselor.

rachel frampton link

10/4/2019 02:31:28 pm

My sister has been feeling Blue lately. We all thought that she's just stress due to failure in career, but she's been showing symptoms of anxiety. Thank you for this, we'll make sure to do our research first; check their blogs and the types of clients that they take.

Ellie Davis link

11/4/2019 11:15:29 am

I liked that you mentioned you need to research about a counselor's clients before you hire him to help you. My brother has been struggling with personal problems, and we are looking for advice to find a counselor to help him. I will let him know about the benefits of knowing his potential counselor's clients before hiring him.

Ivy Baker link

12/20/2019 06:42:26 pm

My sister has been having some issues with anxiety over the past few months. I have been thinking that it would be smart for her to talk to a counselor soon. It is good to know that it would be smart for her to find someone she likes.

gus white link

1/17/2020 12:08:20 pm

My job has been very stressful, and I want to find a counselor to help me work through some of the aspects that I have been struggling with. It is helpful that you mentioned that you should read the blogs of a counselor before you choose one. That sounds like a great way to know that you could find one who will be a good fit. When we look for one, I will be sure to consider their blogs.

gus white link

1/23/2020 12:50:35 pm

I hadn't thought about finding a counselor after reading their blogs, so I am glad that you mentioned that it is a great way to do research on them. My wife and I want to find a counselor to improve some aspects of our relationship, and it will be important for us to know that we could find one who we could trust will be good. Before we choose who we want to hire, I will be sure to read their blogs to make sure that they will be a good fit.

rachel frampton link

3/3/2020 10:58:56 pm

I'm having some personal issues which I think is turning into a depression already. That's why I'm currently looking for a therapist. Thank you for this; I'll make sure to review their blogs first and attend their free consultations.

Eileen Benson link

3/11/2020 11:04:57 am

I was surprised when you said that it means a lot to find a counselor that we like. My husband and I have had trouble communicating with our teenage son and think we could all benefit from visiting a family counselor. Thanks for teaching me what factors to prioritize as we start looking for a counselor that's a good fit!

Monika Grover link

3/12/2020 04:18:21 am

One of my friends wants to find a couple-counselor to help his relationship. It says here to consider a therapist that is willing to help both and will not choose a side. This will help him find a counselor so his marriage will remain strong.

rachel frampton link

3/23/2020 08:14:01 pm

I've been feeling a little helpless lately because my grandmother died and I was also fired from my job. That's why I've been thinking of seeking help from a therapist, maybe I'd find the light once again. I guess you're right, the correct thing to do is research about that counselor's blogs, and attend their free consultations.

Shaylee Packer link

5/20/2020 05:39:29 am

I never thought about reading the counselors blog before you sit down and have an appointment with them. This does make sense, because this way you can start building a little bit of a relationship with them before you meet them in person. My daughter is thinking that she would like to meet with a counselor. We will have to keep these tips in mind as we find the right one for her.

Franklin White link

6/15/2020 10:24:27 am

Thanks for explaining how important it is to like your therapist. They won't be able to help you a whole lot if you don't like them. But if you get along with them, then they'll most likely be able to help you out a lot more than anyone else.

Penelope Smith link

7/10/2020 04:28:10 pm

My sister is having a really rough time right now. She has been getting depressed and I think it would be smart other to look into getting some therapy sessions. I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart for her to look for someone who has the experience and someone she would be comfortable with.

Adam Golightly link

11/3/2020 03:42:50 pm

Last month my cousin started showing that he has had a lot of problems with his mental health and being productive in his life. Getting a professional to help him improve could be really useful. I liked what you said about how you should like your counselor, so that he is more motivated to follow their guidance.

emily bennette link

11/18/2020 09:38:29 pm

This is some really good information about choosing a counselor. I have been having a lot of stress and I want to talk to a counselor about it. Thanks for explaining that I will want to consider if I can communicate well with someone. Personally, I want to figure out next year that I need to get medication to control my anxiety and stress.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

12/9/2020 07:32:36 pm

I agree with you that it is important for us to choose a recognized mental health clinic when seeking therapy. My niece has ADHD and needs therapy. I will advise her accordingly.

Eli Richardson link

1/27/2021 11:18:05 am

It really helped when you said it's important to hire a counselor you feel comfortable with. In my opinion, if you're spending time and money talking with a person, it's essential that you feel relaxed in their presence. I've been thinking about looking for a counselor for some personal issues, and I think your article could help me find a reliable therapist. I'm grateful for your advice about what to consider before selecting a counselor.

Charlotte Fleet link

3/10/2021 02:50:04 pm

I like how you mentioned the importance of making sure that you choose a counselor with who you feel connected. My younger brother struggles with mental health issues and my parents want to have him see a counselor. I will be sure to suggest that they find one that my brother gets along with and feels comfortable with.

Taylor Hicken link

4/11/2021 07:10:26 pm

I appreciated it when you shared that it is important to do some research before you choose a counselor. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is concerned about her sister who is dealing with alcoholism due to her depression issue. I will suggest to her looking for a reliable counselor who can help with her issue.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

4/18/2021 10:32:46 pm

You made an excellent point that prior to choosing an advisor, it is important for us to do a thorough research. In doing so, we will be able to choose who is most qualified to serve as an advisor. In the event I am looking for a geopolitics advisor, I will definitely keep this information in mine.

Erika Brady link

4/19/2021 01:32:02 pm

My sister's little boy has gotten into some trouble at school and she wants to get him some help. She was thinking that a counseling service would be a great option to help him and the family. Your information on how it's important to find a counselor you are comfortable with so that they can comfortably confide in would be very helpful to her.

Max Jones link

4/22/2021 12:59:47 pm

Thanks for the tip to research a counselor before you meet with them. My wife has been going through a tough time after a car wreck she was in. She has had a hard time trying to mentally cope with the accident, so I'll start looking for a counselor she can meet with.

Tex Hooper link

10/6/2021 03:29:56 pm

I appreciate what you said about how counseling can be a life changing experience. I need to get a therapist for my brother Stan. He has been having suicidal thoughts lately.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

2/20/2022 10:48:18 pm

I definitely agree that when looking for a counselor, it is encouraged that we look at their reputation. It makes sense as in doing so, it ensures that we are choosing the right counselor. Assuming that I need to hire a counselor, I will definitely remember to look at their reputation and credentials.

Tex Hooper link

8/10/2022 05:13:58 pm

I like what you said about looking for free consultations when you can. I need to get a counselor to help my brother. He struggles with severe depression.

Olivia Smart link

11/14/2022 09:14:23 am

Thank you for explaining that you should research your counselor before meeting with them. I've been thinking about finding someone to help me with my depression. I'll be sure to keep this in mind so I can find the best fit for me.

Rodney Shapiro link

12/6/2022 02:25:28 am

I totally agree that it is important to choose the right therapist. For me, the best option is to seek coaching sessions to check if I am still in my normal state of mind. Having a psychotherapist for a consultation is a big help. Though I will still apply these best practices on daily basis for a healthy mind. Thank you so much article, it is a big help for people like us. I'm pretty confident that I found someone whom I can personally connect and someone who understands my issues.

Daisy James link

12/8/2022 11:11:18 am

It was really helpful when you said to read their blogs before you start seeing them. My cousin was at my house last night for dinner, and she talked about how she thinks she might have depression since she doesn't feel motivated to do anything anymore. I'll pass this information along to her so she can know how to find a good therapist.

Iris Smith link

2/12/2023 10:06:49 pm

I appreciate you mentioning that it could be much harder to confide in your counselor if you don't like them. My friend is under work-related stress. I'll advise her to seek counseling from the professional she prefers in order to make things simpler for her.

Quick Tips to Choosing the Right Counselor

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