Finding Your Way through the Maze of Counselors: Some Tips for Finding the Right Counselor for You

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!)

1. Do you prefer face-to-face sessions or online counseling? Consider if you prefer in-person sessions for a more personal, “in the room” connection, or online counseling for greater accessibility, convenience, or to expand your options outside of your immediate geographic area. Some therapists offer both options, whereas others only offer one format.
2. What payment options are available to you? Determine if you can pay out of pocket, and if so, what level of fees you can afford. Consider also if you have access to other payment options, such as private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. If the cost may be a barrier for you, you might see if there is a graduate mental health professional training program in your area that offers low-cost services from students who are supervised by faculty members, and/or if there is a nonprofit or faith-based organization in your community that offers services on a low-fee or fee-for-service basis.   
3. Would you prefer to work with a generalist or specialist? Some mental health professionals work with a broad range of clients, whereas others offer more specialized services based on a particular client population or treatment approach. Some of the treatment concerns that might be best suited for a specialized therapist (if available) include trauma/abuse recovery, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and early childhood mental health.
4. What other specific preferences do you have? Think about factors like cultural backgrounds, gender identity, or similar life experiences that may influence your comfort and connection with a counselor. While the exact perfect match of a counselor that meets all of your preferences may or may not be available, you certainly can factor in any unique personal preferences you have as you search for the right counselor for you. 

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:

• To the extent that you’re comfortable asking around, seek out personalized recommendations from friends, colleagues, or trusted professionals (e.g, your healthcare provider) who may be familiar with counseling services in your area. In some local communities, there are Facebook groups (e.g., local parenting groups) where you could even ask anonymously for recommendations. With any personal recommendations you receive, keep in mind that each person’s needs are different, so be sure to seek out more information about any recommendations (e.g., by checking out their counseling practice website) to see if the recommended provider seems like a good fit for you. 
• Search through online databases and directories to explore providers who are registered on those sites. Make use of database search engine filters to hone in on providers who matched the preferences you identified earlier, such as whether providers offer in-person and/or virtual therapy, their demographic and professional background characteristics, and treatment approaches. Below are links to a few searchable databases for mental health professionals:
  • Counselor Find (Hosted by the National Board for Certified Counselors)
  • Therapist Locator (Hosted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy)
  • The Therapy Directory (Hosted by Psychology Today)
  • Grow Therapy Provider Database
  • Zocdoc 
• Contact your insurance provider, employer's EAP (Employee Assistance Program), or local community agencies for referrals and support in finding a counselor. Contacting local agencies can be especially helpful if you’re seeking out a specialist in a particular treatment concern. For example, I do a lot of work related to domestic violence, and I know that there are a lot of mental health professionals who haven’t received extensive training in how to work with clients impacted by domestic violence and other forms of abuse. I often recommend for someone seeking a counselor who has specialized knowledge and training on this topic to reach out to their local domestic violence agency to find out who the professionals working in that agency knows to be a trusted, well-trained professional in that community.  
  
• It also can be helpful to simply do some Googling, especially if you use your preferences as search terms. Basic Internet searching can be helpful when exploring options for counselors, as well as to seek out more information about any counselors you identify as a potential good fit. When searching online, keep in mind that paid advertising and search engine optimization (SEO) skills can impact which providers show up first in the results, so be sure to scroll through several options to explore as many potential counselors as you’d like. Examples of search terms that could be used include the following:
  • “Counselor in Greensboro, NC, who specializes in addictions.”
  • “Texas therapist offering virtual therapy for anxiety.”
  • “Marriage counselor in Chicago for couples facing infertility.” 
• Reach out to potential providers to ask them questions directly. Some therapists offer free, brief initial consultations, whereas others may offer the option of asking questions via email or a website contact form. Even if you can’t fully assess the fit until you schedule a first intake session, keep in mind that you can change to a different therapist at any time, and counselors ethically should be willing to provide referrals for other options of providers if it turns out that it’s not a good fit. 

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.