Questions to ask a prospective marriage counselor in Birmingham, AL
Got questions about marriage counseling?
Sometimes I think Birmingham, AL can get a bad wrap! While I know we have a difficult history, we also have some rich cultures that cannot be denied. Also, I love difficulty mixed with beauty. It is why I decided to raise my family here and become a therapist. Looking for a therapist in Alabama can be difficult. Picking up the phone is hard enough but actually getting someone to call you back can prove challenging as well. Mental health professionals are inundated with work. So, let’s say you found a few therapists in Birmingham AL, that seemed nice enough and you get someone to actually pick up the phone and be willing to talk to you and answer your questions about their counseling services. What should you ask? What is appropriate?
Questions to ask a marriage therapist in Birmingham, AL
Logistics in marriage counseling- Ask about the policies and procedures of the office- Things like How much is a session? Do you take insurance? Do you take Health Savings accounts? How long do sessions last? What's your cancellation policy? Do you offer any counseling packages? Do you provide teletherapy or phone sessions if something comes up that I cannot come into the office?
Qualifications of the marriage counselor- Ask what the therapist's qualifications are. Are they a Licensed Professional Counselor (this requires more hours of direct counseling with a supervisor), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (this requires more education specifically dealing with marriage and families), an Associate Licensed Counselor (they are still working on getting all of their hours for licensure and are under supervision) a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (they are still working on getting all of their hours for licensure and under supervision)? How much specific training have you had in marital therapy or couples counseling? Many people can say they are a “relationship coach” but have not gone through formal training.
Experience in marriage counseling- How long have you been doing couples counseling? I believe it takes time to learn all the nuances of couples therapy and how to direct couples to a new path. While I think education in couples counseling is critical, I also think it is helpful if a counselor has their own life experience to bring to the table. For example, do they personally understand the challenges of blending a family, waking up with a newborn, or walking through the first year of marriage and all the highs and lows that year can bring?
Their own Therapeutic Journey- I think it is OK to ask your potential therapist, do they believe in the service they provide. Have they received their own therapy when they got stuck? Did they find it helpful? As a therapist, I think it is very important for us to seek our own counsel and to take care of ourselves while serving in this profession. Modeling that for our own clients is vital. It also provides therapists a unique perspective to be the ones on the couch receiving guidance and support through their own therapeutic experience.
This vetting process is so important. The single most contributing factor to the success of therapy is the client-therapist relationship. When asking these questions above, look for the person that puts you at ease. They should not try to be the expert in the room or a know-it-all but want to support you, empathize with you as well as challenge you when necessary. Learn more about how to find a marriage counselor in Birmingham, AL that’s right for you here.
Are you ready to start couples counseling?
I hope this helps you find the right couples counselor in Birmingham, AL. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call us at (205) 538-3978 or email us at hello@sparrowcounsel.com for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person.
