6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Mental Health Counselors

Do you have a goal of improving your mental health? It’s a great goal to have, regardless of how happy or unhappy you are right now.

Improving your mental health offers many benefits. You can reduce your anxiety, improve your self-esteem, decrease your risk of depression, manage feelings of anger and stress, and even improve your physical health.

Fortunately, an easy way to improve your overall wellbeing is to work with mental health counselors. By finding the right fit, you can learn valuable coping skills, set and achieve goals, and move forward in a healthy way.

If you are considering therapy but aren’t sure how to find the best counselor, this short and simple guide is for you:

Qualifications

The first factor to consider is the qualifications of the counselors you are considering. You want someone who is a licensed mental health counselor and qualified to give effective mental health treatment. Check credentials and education before scheduling an appointment.

Counseling Style

There are many different counseling styles, and all of them will not work for you. Before choosing a counselor, get familiar with the popular counseling approaches and find the ones that seem suitable for you. Look for a counselor who takes the approach you are looking for.

Reputation

Every well-established counselor will have a reputation and that’s something you need to consider. By reading references and reviews, you can get a feel for how the therapist treats their patients. Consider using a therapist review website to check the reputation of the therapist.

Specialization

Most mental health providers have specializations, such as marriage and family, substance abuse and addiction, and grief counseling. While they may be equipped to handle situations outside of their expertise, they are trained to help with specific situations. Before scheduling an appointment, choose the specialization that works best for your situation and consider therapists within that specialization.

Communication Style

While you may think your search is over after you have chosen a therapist, it might not be. Therapy is a deeply personal process and finding the right therapist can involve spending time with several counselors. While this can be a frustrating process, it is necessary for finding the right fit.

Compassion

One important factor to consider when choosing a therapist is their level of compassion. You will be sharing personal information, some that is painful or embarrassing. To make sure you are fully supported, choose a therapist who showcases a high level of compassion.

These Are the Factors To Consider When Choosing Mental Health Counselors

By considering these factors, you can choose the best mental health counselors for your situation.

Start by looking for the qualifications and counseling style you need. You should also check the counselor’s reputation and specialization. During your first few appointments, make sure the counselor has the sense of compassion and communication style that works best for you.

Consider these factors and you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best therapist for you.

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Photo by Mark Williams on Unsplash

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.