Get on waiting lists.
If the counselor you want to see is booked up completely, it doesn’t cost anything to get on a waiting list. In the meantime, I would recommend that you still search to see if you can find another that fits your needs. If you are able to find another therapist that works please be sure to let the original therapy practice know. This is just part of the industry, and counselors want you to find the help you need.
Ask for a discount.
If it is too expensive for you, just ask if they offer any discounts. Some counselors take on a couple clients for free (pro-bono) and others sometimes have reduced rates for people who can’t afford full price. Don’t let cost keep you from getting the therapy you need.
Ask for referrals.
If you contact a counseling practice and they don’t have any availability, ask if they can refer you to someone with availability that they trust. This is a good way to accomplish two things; first you can find counselors who have open availability faster, and secondly you can find higher quality counselors faster; because therapists are less likely to refer business to other therapists they don’t think are very good. Counseling is such a local thing that most counselors are well connected. I know a lot of counselors in the Cincinnati area, and a lot of other counselors know me.
Don’t give up.
Many of my client have been to 2 or 3 different counselors before they found me and have had bad experiences with counseling in the past. This industry is just like every other industry, counselors have their own style and way they do things, and some are better than others. Don’t give up if your first therapist doesn’t meet your expectations, keep looking because your growth and health is the most important thing.
Don’t pay too much attention to public reviews.
Counselors are actually forbidden by the American Counseling Association board of ethics from asking for a review. People getting help from a therapist are in a professional medical relationship, and asking for a review can put pressure on that situation. So a counseling practice with less reviews might be just as good as one with 50 reviews, and perhaps even more ethical if they are firmly adhering to the “don’t ask for reviews” rule. Every accredited counselor goes through training and certification, so rely on professional referrals more than public reviews.
Look for specialization.
Just like you wouldn’t take a vintage BMW to a Ford dealership for service, you shouldn’t see someone specializing in children’s counseling for your marriage problems. Every counselor has situations that they like to work with, and some situations that they don’t enjoy as much. This is where referrals really come into play. I specialize in marriage and couples counseling, and I’ve done quite a bit of additional training with the Gottman Institute to learn new techniques and be at the forefront of the industry. If a family wants me to work with their young child, I am more likely to refer them to someone who specializes in children’s therapy. It isn’t that I can’t help – but other people with more training and experience could help more. I am concerned about my clients’ wellbeing, and I never hesitate to be honest and upfront about how they can receive the best care.
