You’re thinking about counseling for yourself or your family, but maybe you’re not sure where to start. Trying to find a mental health professional can be a daunting task. Here are three ways to look for a counselor:
1. Ask your employer or HR department about Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. If offered, these services typically include a few free counseling sessions with a local therapist. Find out if these can benefit you and your family. Employer-funded therapy services are typically limited to short-term (3-4 sessions) support and are confidential services (therapists do not report your personal information to employer).
2. Psychology Today has an online Therapist Finder where you can filter options by what you want. For example, if my child were experiencing significant anxiety, I would filter by Child and Adolescent, Anxiety, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. You can also filter therapists by what type of insurance they accept. This is an excellent resource for finding a qualified mental health professional near you that suits your individual and family needs.
3. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) offers a helpline and an online Treatment Center Locator. You can search by location and find treatment centers and agencies that treat substance abuse and mental health disorders through outpatient or residential services. Some mental health agencies provide community-based counseling to help your child make appointments and miss less school.
A few other notes - Parents may benefit from participating in a support group with other parents facing similar challenges. Many school counselors offer social skills groups for students and can check on your child at school. Your child’s school counselor is also trained to identify and refer your child if he or she needs a higher level of mental health care.
Best wishes as you look for a counselor! If you found this post helpful, please let us know by liking, commenting, or sending us a message.
SAMHSA (2018). Behavioral health treatment services locator. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Psychology Today (2018). Find a therapist. Sussex Publishers. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists