Identify what you need help or support with and make a list of the things you struggle the most with. Is it depression? Parental burnout? Debilitating anxiety? Once you’ve identified your concerns, you can search for counselors who have experience with those specific challenges.
Consider what other preferences you might have for a counselor. You may feel the most comfortable with a counselor of a certain gender, race, ethnicity, religious background, or even personal experience. Maybe you want to talk to someone who can speak a particular language. Or perhaps you’re looking for someone who has experience working with veterans—or is a veteran themselves.
Decide if you want to see a counselor through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or the medical plan.
- EAP is intended to be short-term and does not usually focus on completely resolving mental health conditions. Rather, they help to identify and assess the concerns affecting your work or home life, provide solution-focused counseling, and refer to other treatment options if needed.
- Counseling through the medical plan can be short-term or long-term to help you resolve issues affecting your mental health or your daily life at work and home. You pay a 10% co-insurance and there is no deductible.