Don't Wait!

I see so many clients who have waited so long to start dealing with their heart wounds or relational conflicts. By the time they come to counseling patterns are deeply ingrained, relationships are on the verge of tearing apart, and hearts are badly broken. We wait to get help for so many reasons. Perhaps it's because we are ashamed to need help or scared of reaching out. Maybe we wait because we don't know if therapy will help or if it'll make things worse. Whatever the case, I encourage you to go ahead and reach out now. Waiting will most likely not make things any better. There is no shame in reaching out for help. When we are sick, we see a doctor. When our heart or relationship is broken, we see a therapist. Read about therapy, do some research; you'll find it's not as daunting as you might think! Call or email around to various therapists; find one that seems to fit your personality or values. Set up a few initial meetings after you've narrowed down your selection of counselors. Choose wisely! Counseling is a great thing. Don't wait!

How do I find a Counselor or Therapist?

Oftentimes I speak with people who have never had counseling before and aren't sure what to say or ask; this is completely normal. If I needed electrical services or plumbing services, I'd have no clue who to call or what to ask. It's OK not to know and to admit you don't know what to ask when you are first looking for a counselor. There are some great resources out there to help you find a counselor who will be able to help you with what you are going through. This article is a great start; it explains all the terms like counselor, therapist, psychologist, social worker and psychiatrist. The article gives good explanations of these terms and what services these professionals offer. If you are setting out to find a counselor or therapist but aren't sure what you need to know or ask, check out these frequently asked questions. There are other websites that are geared towards helping you find a therapist; they are here, here, here, here and here. Remember you are looking for someone to provide you a service so it's OK if you have many questions or want to call around to several therapist and even set up several initial consultation sessions so you can decide who is the best fit for you. It can seem like a daunting task, but just take it one step at a time. Spend a little time researching the type of professional you are looking for and searching for those professionals in your area. Formulate a small list of counselors you are interested in from looking at their bio or websites. Call the therapists and speak with them, ask them your questions about availability, fees, insurance, etc. Feel free to ask about their background, specialities, counseling philosophy, etc. Then take some time and decide who you'd want to set up an initial consultation(s). Then once you have the initial session, you'll have a good idea if the therapist is a good fit for you and whether or not you'd like to move forward with them.