FIND A THERAPIST

You can take the first step toward lasting, positive change by developing a relationship with one of our trained counselors. No matter what you are going through, we can match you with the best counselor, therapist, or mental health professional to meet your specific needs. We offer a variety of counseling methods across a wide range of specialties.

Perhaps most importantly, our compassionate therapists treat people as individuals. They do not take a cookie-cutter approach during diagnosis and treatment.

At Eddins Counseling, we also provide flexible therapy environments, including in-person therapy in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, and online therapy throughout the United States.

As you search for a therapist, here are some tips from our professionals on finding the right fit.

Understand Your Therapy Goals

It's not always easy to do when in crisis, but the best first step is to consider what you want to accomplish in your therapy sessions. You may simply want to feel less stressed or depressed. Or perhaps you need someone to help you work through feelings of grief, trauma, relationship challenges, or various phobias.

No matter your circumstance, we can guide you to a therapist who can provide help. We understand that you need more than a therapist with exceptional skills and special training in the area of specialization that best meets your needs. You need someone who will listen and understand you. Someone who will provide insights you can act upon in your daily life to feel better.

Ask for Referrals

As in many specialties, the best referrals often come from the people you already trust. Start with your own doctor, who is likely already familiar with your challenges. Given the prevalence of conditions such as depression and anxiety, your general physician likely makes frequent mental health referrals and knows a professional they trust.

If you have close friends in therapy and feel you can trust them, you may ask which counselors they use. Your place of worship, if you have one, is another place where you might get the name of a skilled therapeutic professional.

Review Credentials and Demographics

Conduct research into counselors on your list to find out where they went to school and double-check their licensing status. You may want to see if they have received any awards or other honors and whether they have authored research papers in their field.

No single credential means that you've found the perfect therapist. However, it helps to know that your chosen professional has a good reputation with peers and stays current with the latest methodologies. You may also want to consider if you feel most comfortable with someone of the same or opposite gender or near your age.

Ask Questions

A therapist's written biography can only tell you so much. As you begin your relationship, it's wise to ask some friendly questions to get a feel for the person. Ask them to describe their therapy approach and other patients who may have faced similar problems to yours. Ask them to share how those cases were resolved. If your therapist seems to object to being questioned, it might be a sign that they are not a good match. Better to know that before your relationship begins.

You should also consider asking questions about money. Make sure you understand their fee structure and how they expect payment. Some therapists may not accept insurance. In that case, they may expect you to pay for the visits upfront and pursue reimbursement through your insurance company yourself. Determine how much you can afford as a patient and conduct yourself with that budget in mind.

Don't forget to ask about practical matters. Suppose you are located on one side of town, and the therapist works on the opposite side. In that case, depending on local traffic conditions, you may want to keep looking. Understanding a therapist's hours can also help you make the proper choice.

Consider Type of Therapy

Understanding how counselors administer therapy is essential. While you may not know which methods work best for your challenges at first, it's wise to be grounded in the similarities and differences in therapy types. Some that you will commonly see referenced and available at Eddins include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy.
• Dialectical behavior therapy.
• Psychoanalytic therapy.
• Somatic therapy.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.
• Emotionally focused therapy.
• Online therapy.

Each type of therapy has different strengths and weaknesses and different applications. Our team at Eddins Counseling Group can help you sort out the differences and recommend an approach that will work for your situation. We are committed to finding you a proper match and helping you get well.

Expect Trial and Error

Therapy gives rise to very personal and sensitive moments. No one is perfect, and as your relationship unfolds, you might feel that your therapist was not a good match. This could possibly happen multiple times. Don't be afraid to start over with someone new. What matters is that you get the help you deserve, which might require trial and error.