Finding a mental health counselor is harder than it looks. There are many, many people who are in the counseling business. Some of them do a great job, but may not be the best fit for your situation.
Then, there are those who use sketchy practices and lack any results. How can you avoid those? It’s a tough question, but we’re here to give you the answers.
The Age or Gender of Your Therapist
When picking a counselor or a therapist, some people do not care about age or gender. They care if the counselor can help them. However, many people do have preferences and there is nothing wrong with that. Let’s explain why.
Gender
When it comes to men and mental health, some men want a therapist they can see as a bro, someone who can be straight to them while also acting as a pal. Therefore, they may pick a male counselor. Or they may want a motherly figure or want a woman’s perspective on their issues, so they will pick a female counselor. Women may pick a female counselor because they feel more comfortable talking about their trauma to a woman, or pick a male counselor because they prefer the fact that some men can be blunter.
Age
If you’re younger, you may want a younger counselor who can empathize better with the issues that your generation faces. Or you may turn to an older person to give you wisdom. If you’re older, you may want someone your age for the same reason as a younger person wanting a younger counselor, or you may turn to a younger person for new ideas on how to approach a subject. There is no right answer for this one.
Distance
Some people will travel far for a counselor, while others will want to stick to their local area.
Oftentimes, you may live in an area where none of the counselors are a good fit for the occasion. In a case like that, you may want to speak to a counselor or a therapist who works online. Online therapy may be a good solution for long distances.
Counseling Style
Every counselor has a different style. Some will use traditional forms of therapy to help you. These methods are proven to work, but may not fit all sizes. Then, there are counselors or therapists who may have another style that’s a little past the mainstream. They may use music, art, or dream interpretation to help you. Having a well-rounded counselor who can tackle most forms of counseling is a good option as well.
Red Flags
With that said, when you choose a therapist, there are some red flags that may make you want to turn away. Here is a brief list of things to look out for:
First, the reviews, if your therapist has a few negative reviews, they could be a vocal minority or be a part of a bigger issue at hand.
- If a therapist doesn’t answer your questions, changes the subject, or dodges questions, that’s a flag.
- A therapist shouldn’t make you do something you’re uncomfortable with.
- If you aren’t feeling results, it may be time to come to a new therapist.
Finding the right therapist who can help you when you’re coming to terms with your life is always a good thing. Make sure you get a therapist who is the best for your situation, and then work with them to improve your life and reach the next goal life has in store for you.
This is a featured post by site sponsor Better Help.
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