Finding Your Way through the Maze of Counselors: Some Tips for Finding the Right Counselor for You6/3/2024 By Christine Murray
Whether the question comes from friends, neighbors, or colleagues, I’m often asked for recommendations on finding a counselor. I’m always happy to help when I can, and I’ve come to feel like this is sort of a matchmaking process, connecting individuals with a counselor that might be well-suited for them. Even though I provide counseling services myself, I also know that I’m not always going to be the right fit for all prospective clients who may reach out to me. I believe it’s important for each person to find the right counselor or therapist who can offer the unique approach and type of support that they need to fit their unique situation and circumstances. Finding a therapist or counselor can be complicated, especially now that there are known mental health professional shortages in many parts of the country. If you’re just getting started trying to navigate the maze of potential counselors to find some potential options that might work for you, I’ve pulled together some tips here to hone in on your needs and preferences, as well as a few steps to take to start your search. Identifying Your Preferences First, check out the list below to consider the type of therapist and treatment approaches that might resonate the most with you right now. (Keep in mind: Your needs for counseling can change over time. Preferences or needs you have now might be different than in the past, as well as down the road in the future!)
Searching for Options After you’ve taken some time to clarify what type of counselor would feel most helpful to you, given your current needs and preferences, here are a few steps you can take toward finding options for the right counselor for you at this stage of your life:
Conclusion Overall, finding the right counselor for you right now may take time and persistence, but it's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being and seek out the support you need. Reaching out for help is a courageous step toward growth, healing, and navigating life's challenges. Actually identifying the right support for you can feel confusing and overwhelming at times, but continue to take small steps forward toward seeking and connecting with a counselor with whom you can feel safe, supported, and trusting along your journey.
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I ♥️ Therapy: Reflections on the Value of Counseling (From a Counselor Who Has Also Been a Client)4/22/2024 By Christine Murray
About a month ago, I wrote a blog post here in which I shared my thoughts on the value of online therapy. After writing that post, I got to thinking about the bigger picture and wanted to share some reflections on the value of therapy in general–whether it’s online or in person. Therapy or counseling (I’ll use those terms interchangeably throughout this post) with a trained mental health professional can be incredibly valuable in navigating life's ups and downs, fostering lifelong personal development, promoting overall well-being, and expanding your self-awareness and growth. I write these thoughts from the perspective of someone who is both a licensed mental health professional and someone who has sought counseling as a client. Having experience in the client role has provided me with valuable insights into what it's like for clients. Did you know that some mental health professional training programs actually require graduate students to seek counseling as a client as part of their training? Although that was never a required part of my training experiences (either as a graduate student or a professor), I know that my own experiences as a client have benefited my life and helped me understand the overall value of counseling at a deeper level. As I reflect on the immense value of therapy in both my professional and personal life, here are five key benefits that highlight its impact on personal growth and well-being.
I’m sure you can tell: I am a huge fan of counseling! As someone who has been in the mental health field for over two decades, it’s truly thrilling to witness the growing acceptance and reduction of stigma associated with seeking counseling in today's world. More and more people are recognizing the value of seeking help from trained mental health professionals, and this positive shift is paving the way for greater well-being and personal growth. Overall, counseling is a valuable resource that supports growth, healing, and insight. I’ve witnessed its value throughout my career, as well as through my own personal experiences as a counseling client. While counseling certainly is not the only path to personal development, the therapeutic context it provides can be incredibly beneficial in living a fulfilling and aware life. By Christine Murray
As I’m in the midst of launching Start Here Counseling and Consulting, PLLC, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted to set up both the counseling and the consulting aspects of the practice. I'll save more thoughts on the consulting side of the practice for other posts, but in this post, I’m sharing why I’m so excited to be focusing exclusively on offering virtual counseling, at least for now. When I graduated with my Master's degree in 2002, and then my doctoral degree in 2004, never would I have imagined some of the advances that have happened in the counseling field between then and now. Over two decades later, we've seen how technology has had some detrimental effects on people's mental health, especially when they use social media in ways that contribute to anxiety and feeling less-than in comparison to the seemingly-perfect lives of others. At the same time, new technologies have emerged that have truly revolutionized the delivery of mental health services and helped to break down barriers to access to mental health services in a way that I could never have imagined would be possible back when I was in graduate school and first entering the counseling profession. I still really believe in the value of in-person counseling. In my own life, I have sought counseling at different points in time, and I've experienced both in-person counseling services as a client, as well as online counseling services. I know that many clients still prefer and, in some cases, require in-person counseling support. The value of in-person counseling will never go away, because there can be so much value in sitting in the same room with somebody who is right across from and sharing space with you. And, some clients just are not comfortable with seeking counseling virtually. And so while I am embracing online counseling as my service delivery approach for Start Here Counseling and Consulting, I will never completely abandon my belief in the value of in-person counseling and services. While I deeply value traditional in-person counseling, there are many potential benefits of online therapy for clients. Here are some compelling reasons why virtual mental health services can be a game-changer for many clients:
Overall, online therapy offers many potential benefits that can empower clients to prioritize their mental health on their terms. The value of in-person services will never go away, and the best cast scenario is that clients will continue to have a lot of options for seeking services in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and responsive to their unique needs. The flexibility, accessibility, and personalized experience of virtual counseling can make it a valuable and impactful option for individuals seeking support and growth. If you're considering virtual counseling services, you’ll find a few additional links below to learn more:
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AuthorThis blog is written by Christine E. Murray, Ph.D., Founder of Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Archives
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