Step-by-step Guide on Finding the Right Counselor
You’ve made the brave decision to get some help but aren’t sure where to start. Counseling is an investment in yourself. It certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it. However, if you’ve never done counseling before, it can’t seem intimidating and you may not always be clear as to what to look for. Here is step-by-step guidance on how to find the right therapist for you while helping you to weed out the counselors that aren’t for you.
I want to help you find the right therapist in Prince Georges County, Maryland.
Living in PG county? We know life can get chaotic, no matter where you are. But in Maryland there is help and support. Here are some steps to get you to the right person with the right fit.
Step 1: Do a Google search. Almost everyone knows to begin with a basic Google search, but did you know that Google allows you to do an advanced search? Yes! The advanced search feature can give you more specific results for what you are looking for. To do an advance search, in the search bar of your browser, simply type in the words “google advanced search”. Find the listing with that title that you keyed in. Put in your key search words such as: “Christian counselor in PG county, Maryland”, “Christian therapist in PG County Maryland”, “therapist for anxiety in PG county, Maryland”, “Christian couples therapist in PG County, Maryland”, etc. You get the gist. There’s even a section titled “region” where you can search by location such as your particular city. After filling in the fields that you want, click the blue “advanced search” button at the bottom and viola!
Hot tip: Another good way to search for coounselors is to go to therapist directories, like Black Female Therapist, Therapy for Black Girls, and/or Psychology Today. These are just a few sites, as there are several others. In the directories, you run searches to obtain more specific results for the type of counselor/therapist you are looking for.
Step 2: Narrow down your top 3 to 5 results. Start off by picking about 3 results. Read the counselors Bios. If a particular Bio sounds good to you, check out the counselor’s website to see what the different areas that the counselor specializes in, the cost of services and whether or not the counselor accepts insurance. Also, you may be able to verify the therapist’s license(s). At any rate, you can get a feel for if this may be someone that you want to work with.
Hot tip: In your searching, look to see if the therapist offers free phone or video consultations. This is super important. The phone consultation is an opportunity for you to actually make contact with the counselor to better determine if the two of you will be a good fit for each other. In the consultation, you want to get a good sense of how the counselor works.
In the consultation: Be sure to ask questions. This is your opportunity to ask the therapist questions about their experience in working with what you are looking for such as depression or anxiety. This is the time to advocate for yourself. Tell them what you need. For instance, if your faith is important to you, say that. Ask if they incorporate the Scriptures and or prayer into the sessions. In the consultation you want to listen for clues, that indicate whether or not this counselor is attuned and responsive to your needs. For instance, did the counselor call you back within reasonable time after you submitted your inquiry or was it a week or two later? Did they ever call you back? If they don’t respond to you within 48 business hours or at all, that is a red flag! Not calling back may indicate that this counselor is too busy and that they may not be as available as you need them to be for you. When you speak to the counselor, do they seem to be in a rush? For example, did they cut you off while you’re speaking?
Step 3: After the consultations have been done, now, is the time to narrow it down to one counselor that fits your needs. When you choose that counselor, start off by giving the process 1 to 3 sessions to allow time for you and the counselor to further check to ensure that the two of you are a good fit.
Hot tip: Just because you chose this counselor doesn’t mean that you are stuck with them forever. If by the third session, you feel that it is not a good fit, you should discuss this with the counselor. After that conversation, you may want to give the counselor and the counseling process a chance to try to course-correct. If after one or two more sessions it doesn’t seem to work out, you may need to find another counselor. If that is the case, just go back to step one above and walk through the process. Don’t count this experience as a loss because it equips you with further information as you go back to the drawing board. If the counselor/therapist fit is a good one, then, Congratulations! You found someone to help you reach your goals and walk with you on that journey to healing.
Looking for a Christian Therapist in PG County, MD?
If you are looking for a Christian counselor in PG County, Maryland, feel free to contact me at 301-591-7444 or check out my website at info@theartofconnectiontherapy.com. You can also schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with me to see if we are a good fit. Also, know that if I am not the right therapist for you, I will try my best to direct you to find one that is a good fit for you. Because at the end of the day, it is about getting what you need.
