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So... you've decided that enlisting a counselor or therapist would be helpful to support your (or your young adult's) mental wellness. Congratulations!! This is a big step, and we applaud and support your courage and vulnerability in making this choice. Knowing when to ask for help is a sure sign of strength and resilience.
First, think about what it is you want to get out of counseling? Are you seeking support for a trauma experience, parenting skills, grief, self-esteem, executive functioning skills, or substance issue? Are you looking at needing resources for managing anxiety or depression--emotions that seem intrusive and disruptive to your (or your students') life? Are you looking to deal with body-image or food-related issues, or identity and gender issues? These goals and priorities should be considerations as you select your partner in seeking improved mental health.
Below are some resources to help you select a professional that has the right tools and will be a good fit for you!!
Finances and scheduling
Start with deciding if you are seeking support from your insurance, if you need financial support/referrals, or if you would like to private-pay
If you are using insurance: ask friends if they have a personal recommendation... get a list of providers accepting new patients from the insurance company's website
Ask what their pricing is, if there is a sliding-scale fee (variability in rate according to income)
Determine if their schedule availability works for you and your family
Training and speciality
How long have they been in practice? What kinds of clients do they enjoy working with (individuals/families?)
What specialties do you have??
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy--understanding and accepting emotions
CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--for anxiety, behavioral concerns, and thinking distortions
DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy--hronic suicidal feelings/thoughts, engage in intentionally self-harmful behaviors, or have Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT emphasizes taking responsibility for one's problems and helps the person examine how they deal with conflict and intense negative emotions. This often involves a combination of group and individual sessions.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprogramming-for trauma treatment
EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique
Approach
What is your general approach to helping and therapy?
What does therapist see as their strengths and limitations?
What is the usual length of engagement in treatment, and how do we determine and evaluate my progress?
Adapted from: 14 Questions you must ask a therapist before your 1st appointment, by the Washingtonian (3/3/16)
and: Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents, by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (April, 2019)
If this all feels big, and you want more step-by-step, please call me at 303-982-3921, and I would be glad to help!
LINKS TO PROVIDER SEARCH TOOLS
(Just a few to get you started!)
Click on ProviderExpress
Ask for therapist with current openings, providing the treatment you desire
303-338-4545
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Consider both group and individual treatment options
303-425-0300
Many free classes are also available: https://www.jcmh.org/classes-events/
Ask for therapist with current openings, providing the treatment you desire
800-342-9647
Psychology Today (Private pay, or you can search by insurance coverage)
Open Path Collective (Sliding feed scale after one-time membership cost)
IMatter-- 3 free sessions
ONLINE: Teen Counseling (Part of the BetterHelp network)
Free online peer support (NOT A THERAPIST, but folx are trained to connect to resources if a safety concern arises) -- 7 Cups
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