Deciding
on which
counsellor
to see
is just
as
important
as the
initial
decision
to see
a
counsellor
at
all.
Successful
outcomes
in therapy
are
related
to
a number
of key
factors.
Here
are
some
important
things
to keep
in mind
when
choosing
a counsellor:
Competency:
Choose
a counsellor
who
has
knowledge
and
skill
in keeping
with
your
needs.
Some
questions
to ask
might
be:
-
What
areas
do
you
specialize
in?
(family,
marriage,
addiction,
depression/anxiety
abuse,
etc)
- What
approach
do you
take
with
someone
who
is struggling
with
__________________?
- How
many
years
of experience
do you
have?
Chemistry:
This
is a big
one. Clients
do their
best when
they feel
connected
in a trusting
and healthy
--relationship
with their
therapist.
Trust
your intuition.
If
you have
a chance
to talk
with them
on the
phone
before
scheduling
your first
session,pay
attention
to whether
or not
you “sense”
this would
be a “good
fit”.
During
the first
few sessions
it’s
important
to discern
your comfortability
with the
counsellor.
Credibility
/ Character:
It’s
essential
to know
that your
counsellor
didn’t
just get
a have-fast
certificate,
hang up
a shingle
and call
himself
a therapist.
You might
want to
know:
- What
training
has
he/she
completed?
(degrees,
certificates
and
ongoing
education)
- Are
they
a registered
member
of a
professional
accrediting
association?
- Do
they
have
professional
liability
insurance?
- Do
other
professionals
such
as doctors
and
pastors
make
referrals
to them?
Candour:
This
goes both
ways.
As the
client,
you will
get help
to the
degree
that you
are open
and forthright
regarding
the issues
in your
life.
You gain
nothing
by withholding.
It takes
time to
present
all your
concerns
and to
disclose
all the
issues,
but you
will give
yourself
a gift
by being
open right
from the
beginning.
Also,
you need
to sense
that your
counsellor
is not
withholding
from you,
but is
giving
you honest
and sincere
feedback
and information
pertaining
to your
needs.
Other
questions
you might
want to
ask are
:
- What
appointment
times
are
they
available
for?
- Will
you
feel
more
comfortable
with
a male
or female
counsellor?
- Is
their
location
suitable
to you?
- What
is the
average
number
of visits
that
their
clients
have?
- Is
their
fee
in keeping
with
your
ability
to pay?
Weighing
out
your
investment
in counselling
against
other
expenses
can
help
make
sense
of it.
For
example,
the
cost
of restoring
a relationship
may
be less
than
the
price
of a
new
television
or set
of golf
clubs..
A
word of
hope:
It’s
normal
to feel
anxious
about
choosing
a counsellor,
and to
discover
that not
every
counsellor
out there
will suit
your need.
You might
need to
check
around.
Sometimes
it takes
a visit
with 2
or 3 counsellors
before
finding
the best
fit for
your needs.
But don’t
give up.
Many clients
have told
me they
are so
glad they
decided
to make
one more
phone
call.
Gerry
Goertzen
©
2010 How
to Choose
a Counsellor |
