Pursuing Mental Health Care: When Should You Find A Counselor?

While therapy once carried with it a significant stigma, more and more people are turning to psychology and psychiatry to understand themselves better, any mental health symptoms they might be experiencing, and any overwhelming feelings or experiences they might have. Therapy is a sustainable option for virtually every socioeconomic background and every state of health. 

So, with ever-increasing therapy modalities and providers, how do you go about finding a mental health counselor for your needs?

Who can benefit from therapy?

Therapy can be for anyone who feels overwhelmed in their life. Feeling overwhelmed can come on the heels of a large promotion, a life change, such as marriage or welcoming a new baby, or after the death of a loved one. It can also arise as a symptom of a disorder, as is often the case in depressive and anxiety disorders. Experiencing powerful swells of emotion and feeling as though your life has become far too overwhelming are excellent reasons to seek out a therapist.

Just as excellent, though, it is seeking out a therapist to learn more about yourself. Working with a therapist without a formal diagnosis of a disorder or condition can also be helpful; therapists are trained to help you learn more about yourself, including your motivations, your fears, and your triggers, so seeing a therapist can mean not treating an illness, but simply diving deeper into your own psyche and learning as much about yourself as possible in order to carve out a life for yourself that you truly love.

What challenges can therapy address?

Therapy can treat a host of concerns. Although many forms of therapy focus on treating specific diagnoses Therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment method for numerous mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, and more. 

However, these are not the only concerns therapists can help with. Therapists can also help you work through a contentious relationship, dysfunctional family dynamics, and workplace skirmishes, among other everyday concerns.

Emotional support, relationship insights, and other potential benefits of mental health care

Therapists are also excellent resources for simple understanding; you might not understand why you feel so sad in response to seemingly happy stimuli, such as a national holiday. You might struggle to get along with your friends, despite having been in touch for over a decade, and need some insight into what has shifted in your relationship. You might even just want to understand why you feel awkward in a group of people. All of these situations (and more) can be covered by a therapist and may be examined and explored with a professional by your side.

Are there any restrictions in therapy?

The most common restriction related to therapy is insurance; most insurance companies will not cover therapy unless the patient in question has received an actual diagnosis. Going to therapy sessions without an eventual diagnosis could result in having to pay out of pocket. Some therapists or practices might offer sliding-scale services, some might find just enough symptoms to construct a diagnosis, and some might simply require up-front payment for services. If you are un-or-under-insured, this may be your greatest roadblock.

Some therapists might not have experience working with a particular condition, set of symptoms, or malady, and maybe more comfortable referring you to another provider with experience. This could be the case where addiction is concerned or other mental health concerns that can lead to dire consequences, as these conditions must be treated and monitored carefully. This does not mean that your condition is not treatable; instead, it means that your chosen therapist may recognize their limitations, and want to find you a better match.

Other instances in which therapy may not be the appropriate answer include abuse, either at your hands or at the hands of others, presenting a danger to yourself or others, or acknowledging a significant crime. In all of these cases, additional mental health professionals might be involved, or the police.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

If you or someone you love are experiencing abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for crisis intervention. If you feel you are in danger from a mental health crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

How to find a counselor

Finding a counselor can be one of the most daunting aspects of seeking professional help, as many people are not sure where to look. There are a few simple practices you can employ to make sure you find a counselor for your needs.

Find out whether your insurance covers visits to a therapist

Your insurance may play a significant role in which providers you are and are not able to see. Some insurance companies have large networks of providers, while others have only a handful of doctors they work with. Before you enlist the help of anyone else, check with your insurance (if applicable), to determine whether your sessions will be covered.

Ask others about their experience with psychological care

Ask family, friends, or even trusted coworkers where they go for their therapy sessions. This is an excellent way to find therapists, as your loved one can give you a quick rundown of the therapist in question, and you can at least partially determine whether or not the therapist is a good fit for you.

Check credentials

Although few insurance companies or trusted friends will direct you toward someone who does not have the proper credentials to treat disorders or practice any form of mental health service, you should always double-check your provider's credentials, to make sure you are working with a trained professional.

Research your symptoms

Researching your symptoms can give you an idea of what type of therapist you might need to look for. A therapist who has a background in trauma, for instance, if you have PTSD, will better suit you than a therapist whose primary form of treatment focuses on Bipolar Disorder. Researching your symptoms will give you more clarity, and could help you find your ideal mental health provider.

Search online registries

These websites are often easy to navigate and can be found on sites such as Psychology Today.

Before enlisting the help of a therapist or therapy practice, interviewing prospective therapists may be a good idea. A quick phone call, to speak with a prospective practitioner, could be good enough or meeting with therapists in person to determine if the two of you are a good fit could be in order. Remember: you do not owe your practitioner anything once you have begun therapy with them. If you do not feel safe, comfortable, or supported in your therapy journey, you can always stop sessions with your current therapist and seek help elsewhere.