Most people can find benefit in counseling at some point in their lives. A good counselor can provide guidance, lead you toward healing from past trauma, identify more serious emotional or relationship issues, help you discover healthier coping strategies and solutions to problems you are facing, and provide valuable perspective. Having the help of a trained professional who is not emotionally attached to the outcome of decisions you make can make a big difference in your life. If you are struggling with unresolved pain from past trauma, addictions, depression, or difficulty in relationships, a counselor might be a good choice for you.

How to choose the right counselor? It is important that you find the right fit, both in expertise and personality, for the sessions to be of most benefit. You will be spending time, money, and effort with this person. In addition, you'll be sharing innermost thoughts and feelings, so rapport is important. Here are 4 steps to finding the right therapist for your needs:

1. Assess what it is that you most need help with. Write down a list of what you are having difficulty resolving for yourself. Are you struggling with substance abuse? Are you unable to let go of grief and it has become incapacitating? Do you find that your past trauma is negatively impacting your present? Are you in an abusive relationship? Determine exactly what you are looking to resolve, and start seeking counselors who specialize in those areas.

2.Speak with at least 3 counselors before making a decision on who you want to work with. There are as many different counselors as there are people, and many different approaches. This is your life, and you want to treat this decision with at least as much consideration as you would a contractor for a home renovation project. Talk to several counselors to give you an idea of what is out there and what you like or don't like in a therapist.

3. Create a list of questions you will ask the prospective counselors. This could include how they approach sessions, fees, whether they accept your particular insurance coverage, what the cancellation policy is, office hours, how available they typically are to answer calls or be reached in the event of an emergency, how far they are booked out, and what their education and credentials are.

4.Go with your gut on this one. You will spending hours, dollars, and opening yourself up to this individual. While having many degrees or advanced training is a plus, if you do not feel rapport with your counselor, you are unlikely to be as open and receive the highest level of benefit from your sessions. You want to feel safe, unjudged, and free to share. Remember, this is your life, and it is an important project. If you feel the sessions are unproductive over time or you dislike your therapist, feel free to change counselors.