“Healing can be really uncomfortable, and working with my therapist helps me stick with my healing in a self-compassionate way. In building a supportive working relationship with my therapist based on mutual respect, I feel empowered to build healthier relationships throughout my life.”
– Sarah
There are multiple factors you may want to consider when selecting a counselor or treatment center: the types of insurance they accept, their specialization, or where their office is located all impact whether they are a good fit for you.
However, it is also important that you feel comfortable working with the person providing your care. The connection between you and your counselor is important towards being able to be open with them, and to be able to work collaboratively towards your goals for therapy.
Not many people know that as you start looking for a provider, you can “shop around” and talk to multiple counselors or treatment locations before deciding where you want to get treatment.
You are free to call a potential counselor or treatment center before committing to receiving care from them. This initial conversation will allow you to make sure they are reputable and help you to get a sense of whether you would be comfortable working with them. Consider using the following question prompts to help you decide if they are the right provider for you:
Culturally sensitive treatment supports and celebrates a client’s multiple identities. These could include cultural background, gender identity, language, or religious beliefs. A culturally sensitive provider will not assume that certain treatment methods are beneficial to all clients and will work to tailor their treatment strategies to what best serves each individual client.
There are a variety of theories within the field of psychology about how to best help individuals move into recovery and into mental wellness - these are called intervention styles or modalities. Some of these interventions are evidence-based, meaning research has shown that they are effective for most people. Your counselor should be able to articulate what interventions they use and why.
Although the counselors you interview may have different theories about recovery and diverse techniques for treatment, all healthcare providers are required to uphold certain standards:
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