Please help...dh and I have decide to go for couple counciling and need advice on how to search for a counselor. I have very few married friends and none of which I know have ever been and really don't feel like broadcasting to everyone we know that we are in trouble. I am scared because I know we really do need to start talking with someone but unsure of how to start.

Any advice would be appreciate. TIA

I would start out buy calling a general pratice doctors office and then go from there if they can't help you, You can try calling your inc company they may know of some providers in your area. You can also just call around and see if you can get referals from a reg councelar's office. HTH

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Can you try contacing your med insurance company? I bet they have a referal process? (or at least tell you who they will work with in your area?)

Or, do you have an EAP? (Employee Assistance Program - it usually covers this type of thing.)

Do you have a church you go to? I don't know if all churches charge for their counceling, but I would find a good pastor and go with him. Godd Luck to both of you, it will be tough, but you can do it!
-C.

If you are paying for the counseling through an insurance company, you may need the appointments precerted. Tell the case manager what issues you want to deal with and they may be able to point you in a direction towards a therapist that deals specifically with the issues you want to work on. Also, if you have a community hosptial that is nearby that happens to have a mental health unit, Call there and ask to speak to the scocial worker because they have lots of people that they refer couples too. Your first appointment will not solve any big problems. The therapist will proably take a history from both of you, ie how were you raised, if you've ever been arrested, do you have any kid? things like that. I always recommend people write issues they want to work on before they go into the appointment because one often gets off track once there. Good luck.

I used the psychologytoday.com listing of psychologists - the psychologists who list themselves there write a description of their approach ... it was better than flying blind ...

Also, when you go to couples counseling, make sure that you find a counsel who is fair to you both. When I went, it seems like the counselor took my side and didn't help me to see how my actions were affecting my husband - ex-husband now - so you can see how well that works.

Good luck to you.