If you struggle with your mental health, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
When you have mental health issues, you must seek professional help. In-person counseling with a qualified mental health counselor can provide you with the coping skills and support you need to manage your symptoms effectively. Whether you are struggling with self-esteem issues, marital problems, anxiety, or a condition like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a mental health counselor in Fort Lauderdale can help you recover.
You must research a counselor before committing to treatment with them. While most mental health counselors are highly qualified, they offer different services. You want to make sure the one you choose is right for you.
When choosing a mental health counselor in Florida, look for one that has good reviews, offers individual therapy, provides in-person counseling, specializes in an area you need support, and is the right match for your needs and personality.
In this article, you will learn:
- What do mental health counselors or psychologists do?
- How to choose a mental health counselor in Fort Lauderdale
- Why is the therapist’s specialty important?
What Does a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Do?
Mental health providers in Fort Lauderdale offer services to help people cope with a wide range of psychological problems. Licensed mental health counselors create a therapeutic relationship with their clients and offer services like talk therapy, one-on-one counseling, group therapy, and specialized focus therapies for conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and more.
The job of mental health professionals like counselors is to provide their clients with therapy to ensure they recover from the symptoms of mental illness. A variety of mental health professionals in Fort Lauderdale can be counselors, including:
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Psychologists
- Mental health counselors
Many providers also accept insurance. When looking for a mental health therapist, you should contact your health insurance company to find in-network providers. You’ll receive a list of experienced professionals who take your insurance, which means most of the cost of therapy will be covered.
During therapy with a mental health professional, you’ll address the root causes of your symptoms, develop a good relationship based on trust, and learn healthy coping skills to manage your symptoms.
Agape Behavioral Accepts Private Insurance Plans 
How to Choose a Mental Health Counselor in Fort Lauderdale
If you are looking for a good therapist in Fort Lauderdale, there are a few things you should consider. Attending therapy can boost your self-esteem, help you learn how to manage intense emotions, and develop positive behavioral changes that make your life easier.
Before you start therapy, you should take the following steps:
Check Their Reviews
The right therapist in Fort Lauderdale will have good reviews from past and present clients. Most private practices have a website that features client testimonials. You can also look for reviews on Google.
When examining a mental health professional’s reviews, you should look for mentions about the therapist’s attitude. You want to choose a provider who is known for being comforting, understanding, and who displays good listening skills. You should also pay attention to whether clients say the therapist has improved their symptoms.
Figure Out if They Offer Individual Therapy or Group Counseling
Mental health providers like licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists offer different therapy services. Some mental health counselors only offer group therapy, while others focus on individual therapy. Additionally, there are some mental health providers who offer both forms of mental health services.
If you believe you’d benefit more from one-on-one time with a mental health provider, you should choose individual therapy. However, some people like receiving counseling with a group of peers, as this increases the amount of support available.
Consider Whether They Offer In-Person Therapy
If you are looking at a mental health provider like a marriage and family therapist or a one-on-one counselor, you need to pay attention to the format of the mental health services they offer. For example, some counselors only offer virtual visits, while others focus on in-person therapy.
In-person therapy is often preferred, as it is easier to build a good rapport with a mental health provider when you meet with them face to face.
Determine if They Specialize in Something, Like Couples Counseling
When looking at mental health providers in Fort Lauderdale, you need to determine what they specialize in. Some counselors focus solely on specific conditions, like anxiety or bipolar disorder. Others are strictly family therapists, which means they work on helping families recover from broken relationships.
Attend a First Session to See if They Are a Good Therapist For You
Fort Lauderdale therapists offer initial sessions that allow you to determine if they are offering the type of support you need. Whether you are receiving anxiety therapy, licensed marriage counseling, or another type of mental illness service like treatment for eating disorders, you need to visit with the counselor to find out if they are a good fit for you.
The first session will consist of an in-depth assessment to determine your needs, which might cover information like what symptoms are bothering you, your family dynamics, whether you are experiencing life transitions, and more. The therapist will decide if talk therapy is right for you or if you need a more specific counseling method, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). They’ll also ask you what your goals are for recovery and discuss how they’d like to help you meet them.
Get Connected to Fort Lauderdale Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Many therapists use a one-size-fits-all approach, which doesn’t work for everyone. At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we use individualized treatment planning to help our clients in Broward County recover. Our psychologists offer in-depth sessions to ensure you receive the support you need to improve your quality of life.
Contact us today to verify your insurance coverage and to receive information on our mental health counseling in Fort Lauderdale. We work with young adults, older adults, and everyone in between.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness
