Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment Issues and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • PTSD
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Christian Counseling for Children
        and Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sex And Porn Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Anacortes 1Anacortes
    • Bellevue
    • Bothell 8Bothell
    • Bellevue Christian Counseling 1Edmonds
    • Everett 8Everett
    • Federal Way
    • Kent 2Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    •  1Mill Creek
    •  1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    •  1Puyallup
    • Redmond 3Redmond
    • Seattle Ballard 6Seattle Ballard
    •  1Seattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 10Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma 6Tacoma
    •  1Spokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (425) 939-6856Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

How to Find the Right Counselor for You

Bellevue Christian Counseling
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/how-to-find-the-right-counselor-for-you-2.jpg 1024 683
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bellevue.jpg
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
Bellevue Christian Counseling
May
2017
19

How to Find the Right Counselor for You

Kelly Mark

AnxietyDepressionIndividual CounselingMarriage Counseling


 
Trying to find the right counselor that fits your needs can feel overwhelming –especially if you’ve never been to counseling before. The following tips are meant to help the process of finding the right counselor for you feel a little bit easier.

Goals

First, you’re going to want to identify your goals for counseling. Why are you seeking counseling at this time? How are you hoping to see your life changed through counseling? The answers to these questions will help you to find the right counselor whose specialties or focus areas fit your needs and concerns.

Preferences

Next, you’ll want to consider your counselor preferences. You are the consumer, so you get to have preferences about the type of counselor you see. You might prefer to see a counselor of a particular gender, ethnicity, race, faith background, etc. Keep in mind that the more comfortable you feel with your counselor, generally the more honest you’re going to be in counseling. Your openness and authenticity is important to the counseling process.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Budget

It’s also important to take a look at your budget. Counseling is an investment in your health, but you don’t want it to cause undue stress or financial strain. You want to be able to fully engage in the counseling process without worrying about the finances attached to it.

On average, most counselors suggest the frequency of sessions to be weekly or every other weekly. Counseling rates may differ depending on the type of counseling services provided (i.e., individual, couples, family counseling) and the education and expertise of your counselor.

In looking at your finances, you might decide that you need to use your insurance benefits for counseling. Some counselors are in network and some are not. Those who are not can provide a detailed receipt or superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out of network reimbursement. I recommend calling your insurance provider to clarify your benefits.

Some counselors offer sliding fee scales, which are usually based on annual income. Lower cost options for counseling services include services offered at community mental health centers. Community mental health centers are typically larger agencies that offer a diversity of mental health services (i.e., counseling, case management, medication management, etc.) to the community. Some local health clinics may also offer pro bono services.

Consultation

Once you’ve identified your counseling goals, counselor preferences, and determined an appropriate budget for your counseling services, you are ready to search for a counselor! I recommend finding at least 2-3 counselors that you think you might be interested in seeing. Contact those counselors and ask for a consultation with them to see if you’d be a good fit to work together.

Consultations can be done over the phone or in person. You might ask the counselors about their philosophy of counselor or how they might envision addressing the concerns you have. While talking with them, gauge your level of comfort. Don’t be afraid to shop around. One counselor doesn’t fit all. But, once you find one that you think you could be honest and open with, give it a shot! Blessings as you seek to find the right counselor for you.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top

Other articles that might interest you...

Mental Health Awareness
Photo of Susan Goertz

Susan Goertz

Mental Health Awareness

  May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Although we have made great strides in making mental health care more accessible...

continue reading »
spacer
Bellevue Christian Counseling

Why Children’s Counseling?

As you decorate a child’s room with art at their eye level, age appropriate toys, and child sized furniture, so...

continue reading »
spacer

Related Services

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Individual Counseling
  • Marriage Counseling

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2023 Bellevue Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
330 112th Ave NE,, Bellevue, WA 98004. Tel (425) 939-6856.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.