The city of Midlothian is exploding with growth! It’s hard to not feel overwhelmed when we experience the challenges and stresses of change. Whether it's in ourselves, in our families, places of work or worship, in our community, county, state, or country - we all experience change. You want to seek out help from a professional, but even that is overwhelming and stressful. You don’t know where to start so you turn to Google and type these words into the search bar “best counselors near me”. Your Google search brings up an entire page of counselors, therapists, and counseling centers close to you. But, how do you know which one to choose?
You’ve narrowed down the list to a few counselors in Midlothian who seem nice but now you probably have a lot of questions - that’s okay and completely normal.
This feels like a big decision and you want to make sure you get it right. You wonder how you will know which counselor is right for you and may even feel a little anxious about asking for professional help - that’s okay too. I’m here to help! When I talk with prospective clients on the phone, I often hear them say:
Which is better counseling, therapy, or psychotherapy?
There are many types of counseling, however, professional counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy will require a graduate degree, the successful completion of a state licensure exam, and 3000 hours of training under supervision. Oftentimes, among professional counselors the words counseling, therapy and psychotherapy are used interchangeably when talking about counseling.
Other types of counseling may include more specific training by the organization to be a more knowledgeable volunteer or lay counselor. Here’s a previous post to learn more about the differences between a professional counselor and a life coach, click here to read a previous post on finding a therapist.
How long will I have to be in counseling?
Such a great question! Each counselor you speak with may have a different answer for you based on their approach to counseling and how they work with their clients in therapy. That being said…each therapist should be able to explain to you their own approach and how they work with clients in therapy. You can read more about my approach here.
What should I expect from counseling?
I’m so glad you asked this question! The first couple of sessions are usually a time when the client and counselor are getting to know one another and building trust in the therapeutic relationship. This is typically done by gathering historical information related to the biological, psychological, and social parts of your life. During your very first session, your counselor should go over your intake paperwork and may give you the opportunity to ask questions you have about paperwork and/or your expectations. Based on their own theoretical approach to counseling, counselors will have differing approaches, styles, and techniques used during sessions to help facilitate the healing process. Additionally, some therapists might assign homework to help you put into practice what you are discussing and processing during your counseling sessions.
How will I know if I’ve chosen the best counselor for me?
The counselor you select is there to help you make sense of and unpack the painful parts of life that keep you feeling stuck. Only you know what feels right for you, but a counselor that is a good fit for you will be one with whom you feel comfortable and safe enough with to talk about the painful, messy, and sometimes embarrassing parts of your life. A professional counselor will have an advanced degree, specialized training, and a license that is granted by a state licensing board.
I wish I’d come to counseling sooner!
You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to come to therapy. Sometimes coming in for a check-up or tune-up allows you to work with your counselor at a different level instead of just managing the crisis at the moment. This is a great time to process new information, gain new tools, and learn new techniques.