Looking for a counselor in Baton Rouge but unsure where to start? Finding the right therapist is a big decision, and this guide will help you navigate your options and feel confident about your choice.
Finally deciding to begin counseling is a BIG DEAL. Most people wrestle with whether or not they need professional counseling for a while. There’s just something about reaching out for help that feels intimidating!
(I totally get it. I’ve been there, too, in my own therapy journey!)
After deciding that, yes, I do want to go to counseling, and yes, now IS the right time to reach out, the next big question is, “who should I go see for therapy?”
Some people begin by going to the internet and Googling something like, “marriage counselor in Baton Rouge.” Others take to social media, ask their pastor or doctor who they’d recommend, or inquire of their friends about who they talk to for support. These are all really reasonable options for finding a therapist.
Quite often, whether it’s while we are scheduling our initial visit or during our intake session (AKA – first session), I frequently get asked some version of this question: How will I know if you’re the right counselor for me?
That is a FANTASTIC Question. The simple fact that you’re even asking that question is a good sign that you’re ready to do great therapeutic work!
How to find the right therapist in Baton Rouge
RAPPORT
In an ideal world, you would strike gold on your first therapy appointment and have awesome rapport from “hello.” In reality, it may end up being more like test-driving cars before deciding which make/model you actually want to end up with for the therapeutic journey.
Beginning therapy can be nerve-racking enough already. The last thing you need is to commit to counseling with someone who makes you feel like the therapeutic equivalent of buying a compact car when what you really need is enough leg room to stretch out!
So, how can you tell that you’re on the right path with picking a therapist? There are two questions you’ll want to keep in mind during your first session:
- Does your therapist give you the impression that they know what they’re talking about? Do they seem like they’ve dealt with similar situations before?
- Can you see yourself being comfortable sharing the ins and outs of your life with them?
If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” it may be an indicator that you haven’t quite found the right fit, therapeutically speaking. And that’s totally ok. There is someone for everyone. It’s not really even personal. Stay loyal to your goals and instincts and keep looking. For me, I truly want you to be with someone who feels “right” to you, and if something in your gut is telling you that it’s not me, I’d be more than happy to give you some great referrals who may better fit your needs and goals!
If the answer to both of the above questions is “yes,” it’s a good sign that you’re on the right path in finding a good therapeutic fit. You probably won’t be leaving the first session feeling like you’re 100% sure about your therapist. But you should have a good sense that you could see it working out well.
Other First Session Considerations:
- You shouldn’t leave your first session feeling judged, preached at, or confused.
- You should have a good idea of how the therapy process works and an estimation of how long the process usually takes for goals similar to yours.
- You should feel like your questions were answered and that you’ve found your way into the office of a person who isn’t shocked by what you’re saying.
- You want to feel like you’re sitting with someone who has been down this road before.
- Within a few sessions, you should understand what therapeutic framework your therapist uses and how your goals may be met through that framework.
- Before too long, you’ll start to get a feel for the therapist’s personality and communication style.
While the goal of counseling isn’t simply to “feel better” after every session, you should feel really heard, understood, respected, and in general, like you’re in good hands.
Style Considerations:
For me, I like to be very collaborative in the therapeutic process. You’re a full partner in this process and I want to know how you’re feeling about things.
I tend to be very plain speaking and cut to the chase. And I shoot for discussing really difficult topics in really accessible ways.
With most people, I’m not exceedingly maternal. And no one has ever accused me of coddling. Not every therapist is like me, and not every client wants my style. Stylistic preferences may be dealbreakers for some clients. And that’s 100% okay. Stay true to your gut and preferences!
When possible, I’m fairly goal-oriented in therapy. Not every therapy journey has a specific goal (like grief work, for instance). But when possible, early on in the process, we will establish a clear understanding of what you’d like to address from your past and/or change about your current life before we really begin the work of therapy.
To put it another way: I’m going to want to know where exactly you want to go before we put the car in drive.
Therapy Models:
Other people may care less about personality/style, but instead are looking for a specific therapeutic framework. Within a few sessions, you ought to be able to understand what therapeutic framework your therapist primarily uses and how it will fit with your goals.
For individual therapy (which could be for support with a mood disorder, personal growth, or trauma work), I typically use EMDR and/or CBT. Some people only need one or the other, but for some, the combination of those two models can provide really great results. I think of it like this: EMDR addresses the roots of the tree, CBT addresses the leaves and branches.
For couples therapy, I tend to use more of an EFT approach (though I am less model-driven with couple work than individual work). Couples counseling can also include a lot of skills-based work, like how to have a fair conflict, how to repair after an argument, etc.
The lack of a strong therapeutic framework can lead to an endless string of putting out fires in your personal life, instead of addressing the real issues. I find these therapeutic models to be the best fit both for my strengths as a therapist and for the types of clients that I see in my practice.
Final thoughts
The bottom line is: therapy should work for YOU. You owe it to yourself to find the right therapist for your personality, goals, and needs. Trust your gut and your instincts. You know what “yes” feels like to you, and a good therapist will always support that, even if it means you end up in someone else’s office.
You are totally worth this investment in yourself!
Here are some articles that can give you more information about the initial stages of the therapy process:
Start the Therapy Journey Well
What Kind of Therapy Do You Do?
Ready to start your counseling journey? Call us today at 225.341.4147 or click here to schedule your first appointment. Your next chapter starts now.
