The Process of Selecting a Mental Health Counselor or Specialist

Think of yourself as a consumer of services. The time, emotional energy and money you will spend will be a major investment for you. You want to be confident about your choice of the person whom you will work.

From the beginning, you must be an active participant in the process. The best results will come from insights you gain, behavior you change, and the emotional equilibrium you attain. The therapist is there to facilitate your learning about yourself. He or she is not there to impose his or her views upon you.

Asking for Referrals

Visit your employee assistance specialist and ask for his or her help in defining your primary concerns. With the specialist's help, define for yourself what it is that you would like to gain from time spent with a therapist or counselor. A few sessions with your EAP specialist may be all you need to resolve current concerns. However, you may need to spend time beyond the EAP, to learn more about your personal issues.

If you have decided that you are ready to invest the time and effort in therapy, ask your EAP for referrals. Today, EAP specialists must carefully consider the type of Health Insurance you carry.

Many insurance plans limit referrals to a pre-selected group of mental health professionals. These "preferred providers," as they are called, may be licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, or psychiatrists-who are medical doctors as well. All of these professionals are trained, at a minimum, to the Master's Degree level. Most have extensive post-degree training. They may refer to themselves as a therapist or counselor-the terms are generic.

Referral names may also come from friends, family members or your doctor. Just remember, what was right for someone else, may not be right for you.

Making the Contacts

This is the time for you, as a consumer of services, to do some comparison shopping. The credentials of the person you select may come from training in social work, counseling, psychology, or psychiatry. That is less important than the rapport you establish with the therapist, and her or him with you.

1. Telephone three or four names on your list. You may ask what you wish, but suggested questions are: When are you available? Where are you located? What do you charge: What are your areas of specialization? What is your policy regarding missed appointments? (important if your job requires travel) Do you offer a sliding scale based on need or lack of insurance? Do you charge for an initial appointment?
2. Discuss your insurance and financial situation openly at the first interview. You want to be comfortable with the payment arrangements or this may become an issue which blocks good rapport.
3. At the end of the conversation, you will have a sense of the personality of the individual, his or her pace or tempo, and of his or her ability to hear your questions and respond to them in a satisfactory way.
4. If you liked your initial contact, ask the therapist for one appointment so that you can visit their office and meet them in person. At that time, you may briefly summarize your reasons for seeking assistance and ask how they would help you.
5. Do not commit to one person before you have interviewed several potential therapists-either by phone or in person. Some individuals find this an anxiety raising process at a time of already elevated stress. It is however, the best way to learn the differences in persons and therapeutic approaches. It is important that you make an informed choice.
6. Agree with the therapist to meet for a specified length of time with certain goals in mind. If, as time passes, you do not feel you are nearing your goals, do not hesitate to tell your therapist. Pay attention to your "gut-level" feelings about the therapist. Expect a clear and helpful response. If you are not satisfied, consider ending therapy with that person. There are many more talented people from which to choose.

Always keep these questions in mind:

• Does this therapist seem to respect me and give me a sense of personal worth?
• Can this therapist cut to the tough issues without leaving me feeling unsupported?
• Can this person get me through emotional times in a way that leaves me feeling more confident of myself?
• Does this person really listen to me? Does he or she help me realize new ways of understanding myself?
• Do I believe I am getting something valuable out of this experience?

Therapy can be a very positive experience. It is not always painless, nor are your alternatives always easy ones. If you have confidence in your therapist, stay long enough to accomplish your immediate goals. If it has been a good experience, you can always return.

Written by Helene King, Ph.D., CEAP

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