7 Steps to Start Counseling
Find the Right Therapist for Counseling. It’s Massively Important!
Beginning counseling can be a pretty scary task for some. Let’s walk through some helpful tips to make it easier.
Here we go!
How to Start Counseling
Ok. So, you have made the decision that you want to see a therapist for some counseling. That’s great! A decent number of people never get that first step out of the way.
The next steps of actually getting into counseling may seem challenging, uncertain, or downright terrifying. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Getting through the door for your first session isn’t always easy.
Most of the clients I meet with that have never been to counseling before report that they are very nervous in that first session. And, to be honest, that’s totally fine! You are stepping into somewhat of an unknown situation. Some nervousness should be expected. I even have clients that I have been working with for a long time that tell me they still get nervous coming into sessions sometimes.
The goal of this post is not to get rid of your anxiety about starting counseling. It’s to get you asking yourself the right questions to make sure you are getting your money’s worth out of therapy.
If there is one thing I want you to take away from this post it's this: 50% of the benefit of counseling comes from the relationship between you and your therapist.
The counseling relationship, or therapeutic alliance as it is sometimes called, is the most important thing. And, to be more specific, it is your perception of the relationship that matters the most. If you don’t like your therapist you’d be better off finding a new one.
7 Steps to Finding a Therapist and Starting Counseling
I typically like to ask my clients about how they got into my office (or virtual meeting room) for their first session. What I have discovered is that there are multiple routes one can take to get into counseling. That flexibility can be helpful and confusing at the same time. So, here’s the route I would recommend taking to begin counseling.
On your own terms, come to the decision that going to see a therapist would be helpful. Counseling almost always works best when it is not being forced on you. So, when you are ready then take the dive in.
Determine if you will be using insurance or paying out of pocket. This will help you narrow down therapists. Not all therapists accept the same insurance, and some don’t accept any insurance at all.
If you are using insurance, check with your insurance company to make sure the therapist you select is in network. That way there are no surprise bills you are stuck with.
Now, you can begin searching for a specific therapist. You can use google, ask friends or family for referrals, or even your primary care doctor.
Then, do some deeper research on the therapists that are suggested to you or that you find on google. I would suggest reading their bio on their website. The therapist bio should give you a strong first impression that it will be a good match.
If you have a specific diagnosis that you are seeking counseling for make sure it is mentioned in their bio, and that they have some level of experience working with that diagnosis.
Once you have narrowed it down to your top option, give them a call or send them an email. Don’t be afraid to ask about the money side of things! Your therapist should be open to talk with you about that and any other questions you may have. If you feel good about those first interactions, go ahead and set an appointment.
Step 6 is the most important. Make it through the door for your first session! I promise it gets easier from here!
Throughout the course of counseling you have every right to “fire” your therapist. Remember, you hired them to help you out. Talk to your therapist directly if you are not feeling good about the counseling you are paying for. These types of conversations are actually very therapeutic, and I try to bring them up regularly with my clients. I really invite any feedback from the people I get to work with. Yes, I am the professional, but you are the boss. Ultimately, you are in charge of your therapy.
So, those are the 7 steps that I suggest using to begin counseling. You don’t have to follow them perfectly, but it is at least somewhat of a blueprint. I believe that referrals from friends/ family are the best. You can get a little better sense of the personality of the therapist that way. So, if possible, ask friends or family if they have a therapist that they would recommend!
To wrap things up, your perception of the therapeutic alliance is most important. You should feel comfortable trusting your therapist and be able to openly share with them. Additionally, your therapist should be gently challenging you during the counseling process. Change does require some discomfort, but it should be done in a very compassionate/ empathetic style.
If you have any questions about starting counseling please reach out! My email is podhealthllc@gmail.com and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have!
Till next time,
