How to Choose a Marriage Counselor

You have made the decision to contact a marriage counselor. The next question is "How to choose the right marriage counselor?" The success of your counseling experience will relate directly to your compatibility with your counselor.

Start by asking friends and family for a referral. A great resource for finding a marriage counselor is an online directory. Searches can be performed according to city and specialization. Both http://www.counsel-search.com and http://www.aamft.com offer detailed biographies of marriage counselors.

Before you call a marriage counselor

Ask yourself why you are consulting a marriage counselor. Define your issues as best as you can in order to communicate them to your prospective therapist. Outline what you would like to gain from counseling. Is it important to you that a marriage counselor be familiar with the issues at hand? Do you prefer a marriage counselor that is married? Is it important that your marriage counselor has raised children? Do you have a preference as to a female or male marriage counselor? How far are you willing to commute to a marriage counselor's office? What hours are you available to commit to counseling sessions?

Fees

Decide what you can afford to pay a marriage counselor. There a several questions you may want to ask a marriage counselor in regards to fees such as:

How much does the therapist charge per session?

Does the therapist charge according to income (sliding scale)?

Is there a policy concerning vacations and missed or canceled sessions?

Is there a charge?

Will your health insurance cover you if you see this therapist?

Will the therapist want you to pay after each session, or will you be billed periodically?

Relevant Questions

Other questions to keep in mind while searching for a marriage counselor you are comfortable with include:

How many times a week will the therapist want to see you?

How long is a typical session?

How long does the therapist expect treatment to last?

What are some of the treatment approaches likely to be used?

Does the therapist accept phone calls at the office or at home?

When your therapist is out of town or otherwise unavailable, is there someone else you can call if an emergency arises?

Are there any limitations on confidentiality?

Credentials

Marriage counselors' academic degrees are different. The type of credentials may be of importance to you throughout your search for the right marriage counselor.

M.S.W.: Master of Social Work

Social Workers apply social work theory, knowledge, methods and ethics to restore or enhance the functioning (social, psychosocial) of individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well as organizations and communities.

M.F.C.C.: Marriage, Family and Child Counselor

An MFCC therapist has earned a Master of Science degree in counseling with a specialization in marriage, family and child issues. MFCC's are trained to understand problems from both individual and family systems perspectives; develop intervention skills; incorporate cultural, age-specific, and gender-respectful understanding in theory and practice; and handle clinical, ethical, legal and general professional aspects of their practice.

M.F.T.: Marriage and Family Therapist

A marriage and family therapist has earned a master's degree in social work with a particular emphasis on relationships. This professional is interested in who each person is within the context of their family, both past and present. Marriage and family therapy applies therapeutic techniques and focuses on issues of human development, communication skills, and interpersonal relationships.

L.C.S.W.: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

The LCSW is a state licensure designation for practitioners with a master's or doctoral degree in social work. Clinical Social Work, a practice specialty of Social Work, utilizes social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics to restore or enhance the functioning of individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well as organizations and communities.

Make an appointment

Once your search has been narrowed to a handful of marriage counselors, pick up the phone. Most therapists will have a brief phone consultation with you and answer most questions you might have. The phone consultation is a great way to determine if you and the prospective marriage counselor might work well together.

Shelly Phegley is a staff writer for The National Directory of Family and Marriage Counselors found at http://www.counsel-search.com

---

Google News Updated : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:55:12 GMT Study suggests serotonin plays a role in SIDS - Los Angeles Times The Money Times Study suggests serotonin plays a role in SIDS Los Angeles Times - 11 hours ago Mice who overproduced the brain chemical showed symptoms similar to those of the infant syndrome before they died. By Wendy Hansen, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Mice genetically engineered to overproduce the brain chemical serotonin died at an early ... SIDS Linked to Brain Chemical Dysfunction Washington Post Chance discovery points to crib death cause Reuters eFluxMedia - WebMD - BBC News - The Associated Press all 260 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:03:56 GMT European Bonds Post Fourth Weekly Gain on Interest Rate Outlook - Bloomberg European Bonds Post Fourth Weekly Gain on Interest Rate Outlook Bloomberg - 11 hours ago By Anchalee Worrachate July 5 (Bloomberg) -- European two-year government notes rose for a fourth week, the longest winning streak since February, as traders pared bets policy makers will lift interest rates again this year after raising them two days ... Fighting Inflation, Europeans Raise Rate New York Times Bernanke's French Lesson Wall Street Journal International Herald Tribune - MarketWatch - Reuters - Forbes all 1,857 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:22:39 GMT 2 fires still raging along Calif.'s Central Coast - The Associated Press The Associated Press 2 fires still raging along Calif.'s Central Coast The Associated Press - 54 minutes ago BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) - Cool, damp weather early Saturday helped crews gain ground on the huge wildfire that wiped out this coastal retreat's holiday tourist trade, allowing some personnel and gear to be shifted to a growing blaze farther south Nearly ... Video: Wind Keeps California Wildfires Raging AssociatedPress Gov. sending in troops to fight Cal wildfires Mercury-Register Lompoc Record - Santa Maria Times - The Santa Barbara Independent - New York Times all 1,471 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:01:11 GMT African Union Weakened by Summit Inaction on Zimbabwe - Voice of America BBC News African Union Weakened by Summit Inaction on Zimbabwe Voice of America - Jul 4, 2008 By Peter Heinlein The African Union's reputation suffered a setback during the past week when its leaders faltered in the face of Robert Mugabe's blunt challenge to democratic norms in Zimbabwe. Q&A: Zimbabwe's disputed election guardian.co.uk Recognise me as Zimbabwe president or no talks: Mugabe AFP The Associated Press - Xinhua - Times Online - Reuters all 5,332 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:02:07 GMT Barack Obama now wears his patriotism on his lapel - Los Angeles Times ABC News Barack Obama now wears his patriotism on his lapel Los Angeles Times - 12 hours ago Jae C. Hong / AP FLAG-WAVER: Sen. Barack Obama and daughter Sasha are onlookers at an Independence Day parade in Butte, Mont. Tired of having his patriotism questioned, the Democratic candidate has made Old Glory a major visual element of his campaign. In Montana, Obama Tries to Rally Support on Iraq New York Times In Montana on the Fourth, a Barometer of Obama's Chances Washington Post New York Daily News - Fort Worth Star Telegram - The Associated Press - NY1 all 700 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:25:05 GMT Target: Barack Obama. Strategy: What Day Is It? - New York Times ABC News Target: Barack Obama. Strategy: What Day Is It? New York Times - 19 hours ago By PATRICK HEALY Despite a three-month head start, Senator John McCain has struggled to solidify lines of attack against Senator Barack Obama for the general election, Republican operatives say and some of his own advisers acknowledge, running into ... US candidates practise their U-turns BBC News Obama Predicts Political ‘Realignment,’ Tries to Put Montana in Play FOXNews Baltimore Sun - Austin American-Statesman - CounterPunch - National Review Online all 1,829 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:37:50 GMT Obama and Clinton, Together Again - Washington Post New York Daily News Obama and Clinton, Together Again Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Jonathan Weisman BUTTE, Mont. -- Putting their money where their mouths are, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton will appear together three times over two days next week, raising money for each other and further advancing the Democratic cause of ... Obama and Clinton Will Raise Funds Together Next Week in NYC ABC News Obama, Clinton to hold joint fundraisers in NY The Associated Press CNN Political Ticker - New York Times - CNN - Reuters all 565 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:26:50 GMT Clickbank Earn Money With Surveys

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How to Find, Select, and Afford a Wedding Photographer

You are engaged and one of the most important days... Read More

Help Your Marriage Survive The Rough Spots

Every marriage has its ups and downs, its rough periods.... Read More

Wedding Dresses - What To Wear

You have begun to plan your wedding and you want... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Plan a Destination Wedding

You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More

Planning Your Wedding Reception

Great deals can be found when you know how much... Read More

It?s Never Too Early to Renew Your Wedding Vows

When you think about couples who renew their wedding vows,... Read More

Loose Moissanite Stones, A Great Way to Buy Your Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry... Read More

Lingerie Party Ideas: Tips to Help Break the Ice

Are you in the process of planning that last special... Read More

Before You Begin Marriage Counseling, Ask This Question

There's an important question that you need to ask the... Read More

Wedding Planning: Involve your Fiancé in 10 Easy Steps

He's popped the question. You've chosen a date. And now,... Read More

Infidelity: How ?My Marriage Made Me Do It? is a Cop-out

Ask someone why they had, or are having an affair... Read More

Alcohol and Wedding Receptions?Everything You Will Need to Know

Sure you want your guests to enjoy themselves at your... Read More

Planning A Wedding? Tips On How To Attend A Bridal Show

If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great... Read More

Bridal Shop Owner Reveals Insider Secrets Every Bride Should Know

Your wedding is nine months away and you decide to... Read More

Wedding and Bridal Jewelry

So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models... Read More

The Planning of a Bridal Shower!

Planning a bridal shower? Maybe a dear friend or even... Read More

Wedding Cake - Bakery Tips

Wedding cake bakeries will have a cake portfolio to look... Read More

Exciting Costa Rica Honeymoon Vacations

Couples experiencing their first Costa Rica honeymoon vacations are never... Read More

Gatlinburg Honeymoon Packages

Gatlinburg in Tennessee is the city with streets of art... Read More

Planning a Special Wedding Shower

The wedding shower is a traditional party of the marriage... Read More

Planning Your Honeymoon -- 6 Tips To Help

The groom traditionally plans the honeymoon. However, most brides prefer... Read More

A Guide to Wedding Invitations

The wedding date and time has been set, the location... Read More

Family Cycle (I) - Euphoric and Dysphoric Cycles in Marriage

Despite all the fashionable theories of marriage, the narratives and... Read More

The ?EX? Factor: Why Men and Women Over 50 Don?t Remarry!

Thinking about remarrying? Consider these reasons why others have chosen... Read More

Negotiation Strategies Especially for Couples

These guidelines will help you avoid the three most common... Read More