How A Mental Health Counselor Can Help You

By: Sarah Fader

Updated June 03, 2020

Medically Reviewed By: Lauren Fawley

When seeking therapy or counseling services it is important to find a counselor or therapist who will best suit your needs, goals, and expectations. There are different types of counselors who have different training and backgrounds. Each type of mental health professional has different training requirements and specializations. One popular kind of therapist is a mental health counselor, a licensed clinical professional who uses therapeutic approaches like cognitive and behavioral therapies to help people who are suffering from mental illness or emotional issues.

Who Can Mental Health Counselors Work With?

Mental health counselors are trained specifically to work with those who are suffering from mental illness and related disorders. Their credentialing requirements allow them to work directly with and diagnose people who suffer from mental health disorders. They are equipped to make and accept referrals to professional services along with assessments for clinical recommendations. Mental health counseling licenses permit counselors to work with any age group. Mental health counselors can also be helpful to people going through a life-change or experiencing a shorter-term problem that does not meet the criteria for a full-blown clinical mental illness.

Can A Mental Health Counselor Help Me?

Source: unsplash.com

Mental health counselors (MHCs) are specifically trained in the counseling and therapeutic process. Professional mental health counselors go through extensive training and supervision to ensure that they are properly trained to help with the challenges and struggles of their clients. Depending on which state you live in, an MHC might be called by a different legal term (such as Licensed Professional Counselor of LPC). Mental health counselors typically do not prescribe medication, but they can recommend that you see a medical prescriber if they feel it is right for you. The following are common issues that mental health counselors are equipped to help with:

• Mood or anxiety disorders (such as depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, etc)
• Personality disorders (such as narcissistic and borderline personality)
• Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
• Eating disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa)
• Substance Use disorders (Alcohol or narcotic abuse or dependence)
• Cognitive and developmental disorders (such as attention deficit)
• Relationship issues, couples counseling, and family counseling

• Stage of life crises

• Suicidal and homicidal ideation
• Criminal intervention
• Crisis intervention
• Trauma or Abuse recovery, posttraumatic stress disorder
• Adjustment issues (related to coping with major changes or short-term problems)
• Chronic pain and illness
• Grief and coping with loss
• Coordination of care with medical professionals (such as psychiatrists, primary care doctors, psychologists who can do psychological testing if needed, etc)

How To Choose The Right Mental Health Counselor For You

If you feel that you are struggling to cope with your mental health and wellness, you are not alone. Therapists understand that mental illness can impact anyone and do not hold negative beliefs (or stigma) about what it is to ask for help. Here are some steps to follow to help find the right mental health counselor for you:

1. Identify the problem. This is not always easy to do, but the first step to healing is to identify what you are struggling to cope with. Was there a precipitating event that contributed to you thinking about therapy? Do you have concerns about your behavior, or have other people expressed concern about some ways you have been acting? How long have you been suffering? If you do not fully understand what is bothering you, or if you feel you need assistance with articulating the issue, do not let this stop you from seeking help. A therapist can likely help you to ask the right questions to get at what is troubling you.
2. Consider the best form of therapy for you. As the field of mental health counseling grows there are more options emerging in how you get the help you need. Many choose a traditional form of therapy, in which they meet with their mental health counselor in person, usually once a week to start. Others may prefer to attend a facility that offers services like individual, group, and couples counseling. It is also an option to receive online therapy, which is particularly useful for those who do not have the means to meet in person or are hesitant to sit face-to-face with a counselor. If you have private health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid, there are likely therapists who work with your insurer to provide affordable care. If you are paying out of pocket for therapy, there are therapists who usually set fees on a sliding, income-based scale. Online therapy will likely be the most affordable kind of counseling if you are paying out of pocket.
3. Choose your mental health counselor. It is important to review each candidate's specializations and background. It is important to ensure that your counselor is a licensed professional so that you know they have had to take steps to be appropriately educated and credentialed. Professional counselors are also subject to regulation and oversight in order to protect the public (you). It is okay to ask specific questions about a candidate for a good counselor for you; for example, is the counselor a good fit for LGBTQ individuals or is the counselor someone who fits with my spiritual beliefs (ask whatever questions are important to you)? This will ensure that you choose a mental health counselor who will be able to address your individual needs. All counselors are required to have extensive training on diversity and multi-cultural implications in therapy, so if you do not find someone with your exact background or heritage, do not despair. A therapist will try very hard to understand where you are coming from.
4. Attend your first session. It is normal to feel some discomfort about opening up to someone about your problems. Try to keep in mind that you will be speaking with a professional, who will be equipped with the tools and resources to help you feel comfortable throughout the process. Counselors are professionally and ethically bound to keep your confidentiality and to listen without judgment. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and keep in mind that it may take time to grow a deeper and trusting professional relationship with one another. It is not uncommon for people to change therapists if the person you are working with just does not seem like the best fit for you after a while. It is also common to have several different counselors if at times in your life you start and stop therapy. The key to therapy is to have an open mind and to try to realize that there can be always something to be learned about yourself that will be of value to you.

Betterhelp.com is an online counseling platform that contracts with licensed mental health professionals who are there for you at any time you are ready to begin your therapeutic process to change and greater well-being. Therapists are available via private and secure messaging, live chat, or live audio or video sessions, depending on your individual needs.