Finding therapist to listen can help you get through it

COX NEWS SERVICE VERNON CARNE If you're facing a major crisis or just feeling a bit overwhelmed, perhaps you need to see a professional - a therapist, counselor or psychologist.

"Something's come up, and it's a wall that you're having trouble getting past," says Rita Maloy of the National Board for Certified Counselors. "A counselor can help you find a door to get through it."

Counselors or therapists - the terms are often interchangeable - do not try to fix your problems but help you find your own solutions.

Sessions, which average 50 minutes to an hour, may include one-on-one dialogue, group discussions or prescribing medication.

The average cost is about $100 per session, often less for managed care, and some therapists charge on a sliding scale.

Mental health professionals are as different and numerous as the reasons to see one, so picking a professional can mess with your mind. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are about 427,000 mental health professionals, including counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, advanced-practice psychiatric nurses and school psychologists.

To find a good therapist, seek referrals from people you trust, such as friends and family, or clergy, professional organizations, other health-care providers and your insurance company. Then, check credentials: A person must be licensed to practice, but a licensed professional does not have to receive additional certification. (With the exception of California and Nevada, states regulate and license mental health professionals, which denotes a certain education, training and minimum competency level.)

Your ultimate decision, however, may boil down to a matter of preferences, such as professional specialty, location, gender and personality.

Cheri Flake, an Atlanta psychotherapist, agrees. While she certainly believes in checking credentials, she says it's just as important to be able to establish a connection with someone you can trust and with whom you can be completely vulnerable.

She recommends that clients try to establish initial rapport by phone and visit a few therapists before making a final decision. And if you grow uncomfortable with a therapist, find another.

"It's not like walking out on a playground when you're a child and making friends with the first person you see," she says.

A long-term commitment is not required for therapy. Events such as the death of a loved one or relationship breakup often prompt people to consult a therapist for a brief period of time. You can schedule a few short sessions, or maintain a relationship for months or years.

"Why you can't get the ball over the net is important, but first, let's try to get it over the net," Flake says.