How to find a good Counsellor
If you’re considering therapy, whether it’s to build on your self-esteem or self-worth, recover from a trauma, adjust to a new life phase, or improve your mental health — finding the right counsellor is the first hurdle to cross.
It’s important to find a Counsellor with whom you feel comfortable. After all, you might talk about uncomfortable subjects—or even share things you’ve never told anyone before.
As a Counsellor based in Nundah, North Brisbane I can assure you that every enquiry call I receive is really a ‘match making’ exercise to ensure we are the right fit.
Many people don’t know how to find a good Counsellor, or the right Counsellor, and because I am a Counsellor, and have written blogs on Counselling topics such as what you need to know about counselling and how counselling works, I thought it might be helpful if I shared some tips about choosing a Counsellor should you ever find yourself in need of one.
Finding the right fit for you.
I remember vividly the first time I went to counselling, many years ago. As I had never been to counselling before and I felt getting therapy was stigmatised, I didn’t ask anyone for a referral and was unsure on how to find a good counsellor. I ended up booking an appointment with the first name that came up in a Google search.
Such a rookie error!
The Counsellor I had chosen was very direct, clinical, and quite matter of fact. You can imagine as a nervous first timer that I found this approach intimidating and therefore was unable to open up. This Counsellor didn’t have the warmth, empathy and gentleness I was looking for and desperately needed to have a connection with.
This person may have been a great counsellor, and probably was to others, but as the connection between a counsellor and client plays a critical role in the success of the therapeutic relationship, let’s just say it was not the right fit for me.
That is why it is so important to book an enquiry call with a Counsellor before you commit to a paid session. The call is usually free and should give you an indication of whether you feel a connection and rapport with the Counsellor, and whether you feel like they would be able to help you with your counselling goals.
Consider who you might work best with
Given how important your relationship with your Counsellor is, some factors you might consider when looking for a Counsellor include:
Gender: Do you think you'd feel more comfortable with a man, woman, or nonbinary person? Believe me this can matter, especially if you are talking about issues around your sexuality or intimacy.
Cultural background: You may feel that choosing a therapist with similar life experiences reduces barriers and enhances your mutual understanding and trust when forming a therapeutic relationship. It’s your right to have a personal preference when it comes to choosing a therapist.
Age: Do you want to work with someone older, younger, or around your age? Does age equal wisdom to you, or would you get the best from someone your own age or younger?
Religion: Does it matter to you if the Counsellor has a particular religious affiliation?
If you are unsure if any of this matter to you that’s ok too. You may be able to learn a bit more about your Counsellor through their website, directories they are listed on, and of course, their social media. Make sure you check their bio to learn more about the experience they have in treating someone with concerns like yours. It can also give you some insight into how that person works and what type of treatments they provide.
Google is also very helpful in finding a Counsellor that is close to you. Searches such as ‘Counsellor in Nundah’ can help narrow down your search to someone local.
Training and Accreditation
A good Counsellor is registered with the appropriate Australian board; this shows they are committed to upholding strong ethical standards. Therefore, it is essential you check that your Counsellor is registered by the appropriate board in Australia such as ACA or PACFA (there are others too).
Outside of board registration, just because a Counsellor has many letters behind their name does not mean they are a good Counsellor. They must also have the personal and professional skills that come only with experience, love for the profession, and the right personality to be a Counsellor can bring.
A good Counsellor will be non-judgemental, a skilled listener, empathetic, observant, and supportive. It should feel like a good fit. Your intuition or gut will let you know.
Good luck with your search! Finding the right Counsellor for you is important, and while the process of finding someone you think you can connect with may seem a little daunting, it’s well worth the effort.
For more information or for any counselling support, please contact Step Ahead Counselling.