If you are facing challenges or mental health symptoms, seeing a therapist can be a brave, proactive step. There is no better “first resort” than finding a therapist that is a good fit for you. The key, and potential challenge, is finding a counselor that can meet your needs and is a good fit.

Just like in any profession, finding a professional is easy, but finding one who can help you on your journey toward a more fulfilling life may not be. What makes a therapist good, and how can you find the right one?

The Perfect Match

Not all client-therapist relationships are created equal. Finding a good match for you may take some time and effort. Without the right ingredients in your relationship, you may find it difficult to engage in sessions and see the change you are looking for. 

Everyone is different and not everyone clicks with the same type of therapist. It can be helpful to ask yourself what you are looking to work on and what you would like to see change. You’ll know you’ve found the right therapist when you feel like you can share and open up about how you are feeling. 

What to Look For When Choosing the “Right Therapist”

When looking for the counselor that will be a good fit for you there are some additional factors to consider; 

1. Licensure: You want to make sure that any provider you see is licensed. Therapists can have a variety of licenses including; Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHCS), Licensed Psychologist (HSP-P), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Therapists with these licenses are licensed to provide clinical therapy. 
2. Specialities: It is important to find a therapist that specializes in what you are wanting to address. For example, if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety it would be best to see a therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety disorders. 
3. Approaches: There are a variety of approaches to counseling, if you are interested in a specific approach it is beneficial to find a therapist that offers this. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Theory (EMDR) etc can be extremely effective. 
4. Personality: Additionally, you want to find a therapist whose personality fits yours. Someone you can open up to and work toward change with. This can be difficult to gauge before your first session, however, many therapist’s professional profiles can give you an idea of their personalities and approaches before you begin!

Finding the Right Fit with Carolina Counseling Services

CCS in Pittsboro contracts with a variety of therapists with varying approaches, specialties and even personalities. You are bound to find the counselor that is right for you. Check out our website and call to schedule your first appointment. Our caring Scheduling Team will assist you in finding the therapist that can help you get to where you want to be. Call today to get started!