How do I get help?
Seeking out professional mental health for the first time? It can daunting to know where to start when trying to find a mental health professional to talk to….so here are a couple resources and recommendations I have when starting the process:
Do you prefer to do in person counseling or telehealth counseling? If you’re interested in online counseling TalkSpace and BetterHelp are two reputable sites to get connected with a counselor.
Get clear about what you’re wanting to get support for in counseling. I would encourage you write out a brief list of what your symptoms are and how are these problems are interfering with your life or performance?
Reflect on the demographics of a counselor you’d feel most comfortable working with in counseling.
Do your research. I highly recommend using Psychology Today as a tool to search for a counselor. You have the option to filter your insurance, presenting issues, therapist gender, faith, types of therapy, and ethnicity to help narrow down a good counselor for you.
I highly recommend you do a brief consultation with therapists you might be interested in working with to get a feel for if that person is someone you’d feel comfortable working with. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a few different counselors!
You are NOT married to any one counselor. If you don’t feel like your counselor is a good fit for you after the first few sessions, don’t be afraid to keep looking. It’s essential you feel safe and connected to whoever your counselor is in order for it to be an effective and beneficial process.