What to Expect When Visiting a Certified Mental Health Counselor

When it comes to mental health issues, seeking the help of a certified mental health counselor is one of the best methods for treatment. If you are considering visiting a mental health counselor, it’s natural to be apprehensive about what to expect. In this article, we will guide you through what you can expect when visiting a certified mental health counselor, from the very first session until the end.

The First Contact

When you first contact a certified mental health counselor, either through a phone call or email, you can expect a response within 24 to 48 hours. Most counselors prioritise scheduling the first appointment quickly, especially if you’ve indicated that you are having an emergency.

The Initial Assessment

The primary aim of the first session is for your mental health counselor to obtain essential information about you. They will ask you general questions about your background, lifestyle, family, and other significant relationships, and then zoom in on your specific concerns. You should keep in mind that the more precise and honest you are with your counselor, the better your chances for getting the accurate support you need.

Building Trust

The relationship between a mental health counselor and client works on trust and collaboration. For effective therapy, the client needs to be actively engaged with the counselor. Additionally, for the counselor to provide accurate support, they need to build a relationship based on trust.

Short-term and Long-term Goals

After the preliminary assessment, your counselor will more than likely tell you about the different short-term and long-term objectives you’ll need to focus on in your therapy sessions. Designing achievable goals is essential to ensure regular progress, keep you on track, and make reaching the ultimate goals more manageable.

Therapy Techniques

Every counselor has their unique techniques when it comes to therapy. That said, some general techniques are commonly utilized in counseling, such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), expressive therapy, hypnotherapy, and others. Your counselor will suggest and recommend the most suitable techniques to you.

Length of Therapy

The length of your therapy sessions will depend on a variety of factors, such as your goals, insurance coverage, and the intensity of your mental health issues. On average, individual therapy sessions run for 45-50 minutes per session. Moreover, the number of therapy sessions ranges from 5 to 20 depending on individual cases.

Conclusion

Getting started with counseling takes preparation, guidance, and commitment. Through your counseling sessions, you’ll find a caring, accepting environment that helps you identify the factors that are causing your problems while learning effective ways to cope with them. The journey can be challenging, but through counseling, you will be able to find answers, acquire useful tools, and feel more empowered and supported. Remember, everyone deserves counseling, and with the right help, you can move towards a healthier mental state.

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.