Making the initial call to a counseling practice can be extremely intimidating, especially if it’s your first time pursuing counseling. What do you ask? How do you know if a counselor will be a good fit? How do you determine if a counseling practice values the same things you do? Do you need to talk to the counselor beforehand, or can you determine the information you need from speaking with the office administrator? The whole process can be overwhelming.
The following information may help you feel more comfortable when making the initial contact. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. All you need to do is give us a call at 678-534-3824 or email us.
Things to Consider
What is most important to you in considering a specific therapist?
Would you like them to have several years of experience under their belt? Is it ok for them to be a relatively new counselor? Do you want them to have any special certifications or training? Do you need someone who has a flexible schedule? It can be helpful to come up with a list of non-negotiables or deal-breakers before calling. If you have one or two things that you know are important to you and communicate those to the intake manager, it will help you find the counselor who is best suited to you.
How much are you willing to spend?
Do you have a tight budget, or can you be flexible? Do you have an insurance plan that offers mental health coverage and need a practice that will accept your insurance? If the practice doesn’t accept insurance, is that a deal-breaker, even if the rates are reasonable? You may want to check with your insurance company before scheduling an appointment. You can find some helpful information on our FAQs page – Insurance Information.
It is also helpful to get an idea of the typical rates for counseling in your area. You can do a quick Google search for therapy practices in your community. You’ll find the best information by looking at websites or calling a few options. Most private counseling practices don’t list their rates online, as they often differ depending on the specific therapist and their licensure and years of experience.
Do your research beforehand.
A website can tell you a lot about the organization before you start asking questions. What are the themes you notice on the practice’s website? Do they repeat certain phrases or values often? If you’re looking for a Christian practice, do they mention Christian counseling on their website? Do they have a team of counselors, or is it just one counselor who only specializes in one or two areas? You also may be able to find someone who looks like they would work well with you by reading their biographies or information on the website. It can be helpful when calling to have one or two specific therapists in mind to ask about. Looking at websites beforehand can help you avoid phone calls to practices that will not be able to accommodate your needs and will save you time in the long run.
Once you’ve considered these aspects and answered these questions, you’ll be better prepared to start the process of finding the right counselor for you.
Narrow Down the Choices
Be prepared to explain why you need help.
Most intake managers or office associates will suggest a counselor, but they’ll need to know a little information about you and what you’re looking for first. If they don’t ask, make sure you give them a brief idea of why you’re seeking counseling. This can be as simple as “marriage counseling for better communication” or “a male therapist for my teenage son who is angry and depressed.” You only have to share what you’re comfortable divulging. Remember, the point of this is to help the office assistant learn a bit more about you so they can suggest a counselor who fits your needs, so share whatever information you think would be most helpful in achieving that goal.
Some important things to share:
- The kind of appointment you are seeking (couple, pre-marital, marital, individual, family, child/minor)
- The potential for this case to transition to a couple’s or family case or to turn into an individual case
- The standout issues or any other information that would be helpful (for example, struggling with depression and have a history of addiction, but have been sober for 10 years)
- Preference of male or female counselor
- Preference of counselor age (if you’d prefer someone older vs younger)
- Your age or life stage
- Any special training you are looking for
- If you’ve been referred and by whom (If it’s an individual or previous client, share this information if you and the referral source are comfortable doing so.)
- Money concerns:
- Is insurance coverage a need?
- How much the rates are and is there a sliding scale rate? (Sometimes a specific counselor will offer a sliding scale or reduced rate, even if the practice as a whole does not)
- Are there are any scholarship or special assistance funds you may qualify for if money is an issue
- Any legal issues:
- Is there is potential for this case to go to court? In addition,
- Is there a possibility of records being subpoenaed for a court case?
- Is there a possibility of the counselor being called upon to testify in court?
- Note: Practices are sometimes unwilling to take these kinds of cases and will charge a separate rate for court appearances, and it may be extremely expensive. Make sure you ask if this is something that is a high possibility with your case.
After Getting a Therapist Referral
Consider asking:
- Does this counselor specialize in a particular area?
- Does this therapist have any special certificates or training?
- Do they have any experience with the issue?
- How long has this person been practicing?
- Is this person a Christian/does this person or practice offer Christian or faith-based counseling?
- Does this counselor work with *whatever your age range is or the age range of the person you’re calling for*? (ex. Adolescent, young adult, middle-aged adult, older adult, child, etc.)
Don’t be afraid of asking too many questions. It’s the responsibility of the person you called to help you! If they don’t know the answer to something, they should offer to find out and get back in touch. If not, specifically ask for the information you need.
Additional details to consider:
The gender of your therapist
A male or female may be better equipped to assist you in working through particular challenges from your past. You may want a female counselor because you had trouble with your mom. However, may want a male counselor because men make you feel safe, etc. You may also feel more comfortable talking to a male versus a female counselor about certain issues.
Therapeutic techniques
Some therapeutic approaches are known for treating certain types of problems. It can be helpful to ask if your therapist has skills in these specific areas. Examples include DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) which is particularly effective in treating issues such as bipolar disorder. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be effective in treating depression. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is used to treat trauma, and so on. A therapist trained in process-based therapy and immediacy can help you work on relational tensions as they occur in therapy and in your life. It can be helpful to research which theories might work best with the issues you are struggling with before deciding on your therapist.
Recommended frequency to work through your issues
Some issues can be treated on a short term basis, and others really need long term work. Marriage therapy typically takes much longer since there are two people in the room at all times. Situational challenges such as your children moving away, transitioning jobs, or breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend typically can be treated more quickly. Therapists usually recommend weekly sessions or every other week at the beginning of the process as it allows you to gain momentum and make more progress. Less frequent therapy (such as once a month) can be an option once you’ve made more progress.
Would a preliminary call with the therapist help?
If you still aren’t sure if you and the counselor you are considering will work well together, ask about setting up a screening phone call with them. Most counseling practices will offer a free 10-minute consultation before the first appointment. Some even offer longer consultation phone sessions. Talking to the therapist on the phone can help you get a better feel for how they will be as a counselor in session.
You can always switch counselors!
If you attend your first intake session and decide the therapist is not for you, you can try a different therapist. However, it’s a courtesy to let the counselor know that you won’t be continuing therapy with them. This allows the therapist to close your case and open up space to another client, instead of keeping the space for you in case you decide to schedule another session. Don’t be afraid of hurting the counselor’s feelings; it’s better for both parties to realize earlier, rather than later, if it isn’t working.
Remember, counseling can be a tricky process that involves a lot of emotional and mental work. It’s important to work with a counselor who you feel comfortable with and supported by. You want to work with a counselor you have mutual respect and trust with. Don’t get discouraged; great counselors are out there.
If you’d like to learn more about any of our counselors at Restoration Counseling of Atlanta, give us a call or send us an email!
admin@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext. 153
Written by: Hannah Fain and
Revised by Cameron Harrington
both former Restoration Counseling of Atlanta New Client Coordinators