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How to Choose the Right Marital Counselor
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By: XSTILLA.COM
If you or your spouse have come to the realization that the problems within your marriage are too great to handle on your own, it may be time to seek out the services of a professional marital counselor. Success will depend on not only the willingness of the couple to work together at solving their issues, but also on how compatible they are with their counselor. Many couples are faced with the question of what type of therapist to see, or what they should be looking for when trying to decide on the absolute right one for them.
First, there are several basic things you'll want to consider before seeing a counselor, such as whether you would prefer a male or female, or if they are single, married, or divorced. Some couples prefer counselors who can draw upon their own personal experiences, while others prefer to speak with one who is single or never been married.
When trying to choose a therapist, it is also acceptable to inquire if they have ever experienced counseling themselves, as some people feel a deeper understanding is had by those who have been in similar situations personally. If possible, it is also helpful get a recommendation from someone who has already been to the counselor or a referral from your own family doctor.
Important Questions to Ask Potential Counselors
- What are the charges for each therapy session?
- Are there any charges for missing a session, and how much notice needs to be given to cancel a meeting without being charged?
- Do you accept our health insurance, and is there a co-pay at the time of the session, or will we be billed?
- How often will we need to be seen?
- Will we be seen together, or separately, or do we have the choice?
- How long will each session last?
- Can you give me a general time frame as to how many weeks we can expect to be in therapy?
- Who handles your cases in the event of an emergency or if you are unavailable?
- Will all of our sessions be completely confidential? What if we are seen individually instead of together, what is your privacy policy on that?
Making Sense of a Counselor's Credentials
When trying to decide on what type of counselor to see, it helps to know what their degrees stand for and what specific areas of therapy they may be trained in:
M.F.C.C. - Master of Science Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling: Counselors with this type of degree specialize in issues related to marriage as well as family and children.
M.F.T. - Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy: An M.F.T. degree indicates the counselor is trained in social work with the emphasis on relationships and family life. This type of counseling will focus on building communication skills and improving one's interpersonal relationships.
M.S.W. - Masters Degree in Social Work: Social workers typically counsel couples, families, and individuals, implementing skills that are related to the social and psychosocial aspect of relationships.
L.C.S.W. - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Licensed social workers use their knowledge and experience for counseling couples, individuals, as well as entire families, to improve interaction and function within the family setting.
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