Things You'll Need:
- Some good basic psychology texts and/or access to psychological databases
- A fair amount of money to invest in interviewing counselors or excellent health insurance
- Patience
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Step 1
An important first step when you decide you need counseling is to become educated about the different types of counseling that are offered. Read up about the different schools of psychology. Make sure you know the difference between a psychoanalytically oriented counselor, a cognitive therapy practitioner, a humanistic psychologist, and a behaviorist. The more you learn, the more well informed choice you will be able to make.
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Step 2
During your first visit with a counselor, ask him or her questions about the approach she follows, based on the reading you have done. Ask her how that particular approach can be of benefit to you in your situation. While during this visit, the counselor will be assessing you and your needs, you should also be assessing whether this counselor's approach is the right one for you.
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Step 3
Besides gathering information about the practitioner's intellectual approach, also try to also assess what her personality is like during this first visit. Ask yourself If the practitioner is someone around whom you can feel comfortable sharing personal information, or does the practitioner's mannerisms arouse anxiety in you. Do you have a sense of liking the practitioner, or does her personality make you feel alienated from her?
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Step 4
Visit as many counselors as you need to until you find one who has an approach that makes sense to you and a personality that feels right. Be patient, even if this process takes some time. Think to yourself about how many dresses or slacks you try on in a store until you find the right one, and then think about how much more important this decision is. If you don't jump the gun about a dress, you certainly don't want to jump the gun about your mind.
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Step 5
At the end of every first visit, if you are unsure about your decision, do not hesitate to tell the counselor that you want to think it over before making a committment. Never feel intimidated or allow yourself to be bludgeoned. Remind yourself that you have a right to make choices, and that you don't have to accept anyone or anything just because it is in front of your face. It is your happiness that is at stake. Therefore, you must be the one to decide, not anybody else.
