How To Find A Good Mental Health Counselor

Stan Popovich

Many people have a difficult time in finding an effective mental health counselor that will help them get their life back on track.

The key is to find someone that you can trust in discussing your anxieties and depression.

With this in mind, here are seven suggestions on how to find a great mental health counselor that works for you.

1. Talk to your doctor or primary care physician: Your medical or family doctor is a great source in finding a therapist. Explain to your doctor your problems and he or she can point you in the right direction in seeking the proper treatment. Your primary care physician may even know of some low-cost services that you can use to your advantage.
2. Go to your local hospital: Your local hospital is another source you can use to find a good counselor and they also know of many different mental health programs in your area. Your emergency center can also handle your situation right away if you are struggling with fear and anxiety. This is just a few examples on the importance of getting mental health assistancein your life.
3. Ask your friends and relatives for advice: Use your network of friends and relatives to see if they know of any reputable counselors that are nearby.  Many churches and nonprofit agencies offer a variety of mental health programs in your area. Asking the people who attend these groups may be aware of some programs.
4. Join a local mental health support group:Go to a support group in your area and ask if anyone knows of a therapist that can help you with your mental health issues. Many people who are active in these groups will be able to give you some names of people in the area that can help you out. In addition, the people in these groups will be able to relate to your situation.
5. Find a counselor that you can work with:When asking for a therapist, always ask for someone who has a good reputation. Remember that finding a counselor to help you depends on how you interact with them and how they interact with you. It may take a couple of times to find the right person, but do not give up. Finding the right person will pay off for you in the long run.
6. Measure your progress: The key components of having an effective therapist is affordability, the ability to effectively talk to your counselor, and how effective they are in finding the answers to your current problems. Remember that your main goal is to find the answers that will help get rid of your mental health issues.
7. Do what is best for you:Choose a mental health professional that you feel comfortable talking to and then go from there. You can always change counselors down the road so don’t pressure yourself if things don’t work out. If you do not see any improvement in your mental health after a couple of months, you may want to find someone else who can help reduce your fears, anxieties, and depression.

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” located at  http://www.managingfear.com