Many couples find that visiting a marriage counselor can help their marital problems, but with so many types of marriage counselors out there, choosing the right one can be difficult. Depending on the problems facing your marriage, and your personal preferences, and those of your spouse, it will likely be necessary to meet with several counselors before choosing one. This article will provide you with tips to help you choose the right counselor.
The term marriage counselor can describe many different types of professionals, from Ph.Ds, to interns, LSCWs, and more. In California, you can verify the license status of any counselor by visiting the Board of Behavioral Sciences website. If credentials are especially important to you and your spouse, make sure to ask about them. Also, knowing why marriage counseling is important to both of you before you begin talking to counselors, since this is likely one of the first questions that they will ask both of you.
If you and your spouse have insurance that covers marriage counseling, you will need to make sure that you choose a therapist whose services are covered by your insurance plan. You should also make sure that you know exactly how many sessions your insurance is wiling to cover. Most counselors recommend at least six sessions, but your plan may cover more or less then that amount, so it will be up to you as to whether you decide to attend six and/or pay out of pocket for a few visits.
There are many other things to consider in addition to credentials and costs. IF you have strong religious or spiritual beliefs, you and your partner will want to find a counselor who is familiar with your beliefs. The idea of marriage, including roles and meaning, differ between religions and religious denominations, so it is important to find a counselor with the same beliefs if this is important to you and your spouse. You should also keep in mind that therapy styles vary widely from counselor to counselor, so dont hesitate to ask any potential counselors about their orientation. Above all, make sure that you choose a marriage counselor with whom you both feel comfortable. Marriage is team effort, after all.