5 Tips for Finding a California Counselor You Connect With

Your satisfaction and results with therapy are largely dependent on your connection and relationship with your counselor. How well you communicate and connect with your counselor will affect your therapeutic relationship, which can significantly impact what you get out of counseling. We have compiled a list of tips to help you find a counselor that you connect with.

Consider Your Therapy Goals

Thinking about what you want to achieve from therapy is an excellent first step toward choosing the right counselor. Most counselors specialize in certain areas of mental health, which means they may have specific training or certifications. For example, if you’re dealing with anxiety, you might want to work with a counselor with specialized training in treating anxiety disorders. If you’re considering divorce or you and your partner want to improve your communication skills, you might consider working with a marriage and family therapist. 

Different counselors also use varying schools of thought, which shape their sessions. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common schools of thought used today. Other therapeutic techniques counselors in your area may use include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychoanalytic therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). You don’t have to know the difference between the therapy types. Instead, it can be helpful to recognize that there are different schools of thought, so if you find that one counseling type isn’t helpful, it may be worth switching counselors.

Determine Your Counseling Budget

Considering your budget is also important when choosing a counselor. Some insurance plans may cover mental health services, but you’ll still need to choose a counselor that accepts your insurance type. You can also work with your insurance provider to choose.

Some mental health therapists also offer sliding scales, which allow you to pay based on what you can afford. Price shouldn’t be the only consideration since an investment into your mental health is always a good idea, but it is an important one to consider.

Think About Your Schedule

Finding a counselor who fits your schedule is also important so you can actually make appointments. Some counselors may only work traditional business hours, which may not be possible if you also work an office job. More counselors today are offering online sessions, which can make it easier to fit therapy into your schedule. Online CBT therapy in California also offers many benefits, with flexible schedules being one of the biggest. 

Counseling in an online setting tends to be more accessible to those with physical limitations or without reliable transportation. You don’t have to pay for or figure out childcare or factor in drive time to prioritize your mental health with online counseling sessions. Finally, online counseling allows you to continue prioritizing your mental health, even when you’re feeling under the weather or dealing with monthly cramps (which can also impact your mental health.

Review Credentials

Ensuring your therapist is appropriately licensed is a must. Each state, including California, has strict requirements on the education and training that mental health counselors must complete before seeing clients. Most therapists clearly display this information in their offices or online. You can also search the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) license search via CA.gov for up-to-date licensing information. This database also shows information on suspended or revoked licenses.

Schedule an Initial Consultation

One of the best ways to determine how well you connect with a potential counselor is by scheduling an appointment with them. A single appointment with a therapist doesn’t mean you’re obligated to continue seeing them. Instead, consider this your opportunity to learn how they structure their counseling sessions and whether or not your needs fit with their counseling style.

During your first appointment, you can expect your counselor to review your history and any presenting issues. They may ask if you’ve been in therapy before and whether or not you found value in it. This gives counselors an idea of what you like and dislike in counseling. Try to be as honest as possible with your therapist to ensure the start of a good relationship. Don’t be afraid to ask your therapist questions during this first appointment. This is your chance to get to know them just as much as it is theirs to learn about your history and needs. If you have any concerns, feel free to discuss them with your counselor. Discussing any potential barriers to counseling and creating open, honest communication from the start is important to a therapeutic relationship.

The therapeutic relationship between a counselor and a client is an important one. This relationship determines your comfort level with counseling and even your overall results. Taking the time to choose a mental health counselor that you can connect with can take some time and work, but in the end, you’ll be thankful for the healing relationship.