It’s tough to find a counselor near you, but we have put together this guide to help. Mental Health Counselors are in-demand these days because many people need someone who can listen and provide advice when they are struggling with something. You might be wondering what qualifications a licensed counselor needs to have or how much it costs to visit one. We will answer those questions and more so that you can feel confident about your decision! If you’re looking for a counselor near me in Tampa, FL – we have a team of specialized expert licensed mental health counselors ready to help.
Looking for a counselor is kind of like dating
It can be a process to find a therapist that you feel comfortable enough with to open up about your life. By following this simple guide I’ll walk you through what to consider and how to find the right fit for you. Many counselors operate independently or as part of private practice groups. Others may be employed by hospitals or other healthcare organizations. Counselors are not one-size-fits all and it’s important to ask about their qualifications, the types of therapy they specialize in, and how you will be billed. Most importantly you need to feel a sense of comfort and rapport with your mental health counselor.
How do I find the right therapist near me that matches my needs
First think about the type of person you want to work with.
Do you connect more with men or women?
Do you want someone older, younger or the same age as you?
Look into the specializations and patients they work with – you can find this on their website (they better have a website, their Instagram, and their reviews).
Common Specializations for mental health issues:
Here is a list of common areas that your licensed mental health counselor might specialize in.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationships
- Marriage and family
- Couples counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Trauma
- Emotional & Psychological Disorders
- Stress
- Performance
Common Types of Therapy
During your search for a therapist near you, it’s important to consider some of the differet type of therapy that might be a part of a treatment plan. The therapists and counselors at Hanson Complete Wellness use a mixture of all of the following and tailor their approach to your specific needs. We provide support and training for our counselors so they are always on the cutting edge.
- CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Traditional Psychotherapy
- ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy)
- Mindfulness
- Gottman Relationship Therapy
- Trauma Informed Therapy
You want a versatile counselor who can shift and adapt to your needs. B
Tips for working with your new therapist to get better results—
– Be open, honest and vulnerable in your sessions. This is the only way for them to really get a feel of who you are as an individual and what you need from therapy. Plus it will make things go more smoothly because they can work with your boundaries on how much information that you want to share or not share
– Keep track of progress in between appointments – write down any changes that have come about since last session. It’s also good to periodically set small goals so that there has been some improvement overall
– If possible, try to do at least one task per week outside of therapy like making healthy food choices or working out once a day. This will help reinforce the skills learned while helping build new ones too!
Can I use insurance?
We’ve consciously decided to not be a part of insurance panels for a few specific reasons.
1 – if you use insurance they will dictate your care. Meaning they decide how many visits you get.
2 – To use your insurance requires a mental health diagnosis.
The insurance companies only pay for services that are considered “medically necessary”. This means they will not cover mental illness unless you have a diagnosis. The clinician must prove, with evidence, your condition is affecting daily life and functioning before the company pays out on health care costs related to mental illnesses.
Most patients do not have a true diagnosable disorder.
You might be surprised to learn that your insurance doesn’t cover therapy or only covers a few sessions. Don’t forget that with any insurance you have to meet your deductible and then pay a co-pay.
The good news is that it’s usually less expensive and less hassle to not use your insurance.
How much does therapy cost?
Counseling sessions cost $125 per session with our associate counselors here at Hanson Complete Wellness in Tampa, FL.
The next step
Once you start counseling, it will be hard to remember what life was like before. Counseling is not just about “fixing” the problem; it’s also about having a safe place to talk and process your thoughts and feelings. Reach out with a phone call at 813-534-0311 or click the button below to fill out a form and we’ll reach out to you!