Finding Support

Finding a Counselor

Finding the right counselor or therapist can easily become overwhelming. What should you look for? What should you avoid? How do you know what the best option is? It is easy to become confused or even frustrated. This is common, especially while facing mental health challenges.

If you’re here, you’re already on the right track to getting the help you need and want.  This page is here to outline tips and offer resources to help you decipher information about finding a service that works best for YOU.

Using mental health support does NOT mean you are showing weakness or making excuses. Although it takes effort, counseling and therapy gives you the support and tools you need to be a better version of yourself or cope with the challenges of life.

Asking for help with mental health can be difficult for athletes in a culture that praises "mental toughness." However, many athletes struggle with mental health and can still find success with proper management. Read below to learn about finding help and resources made for and recommended by athletes.

Considerations for Finding a Therapist

Therapy's typical focus is processing and reflecting on thoughts and its connection to behaviors you have

Counseling typically focuses on identifying the relationships you have between your thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors and works towards developing ways to break patterns
of behavior you want to change

“Therapist” and “Counselor” are usually interchangeable terms

Wellness coaching or mental health coaching typically focuses on the present
and goals you have, working towards ways to achieve goals you set

Counseling/Therapy can be paid for out of pocket or some
insurance plans will cover a portion of mental health care

“Approaches” are the way mental health professionals work with their clients, specifically in the techniques they use. This provides information on what you will focus on during appointments.
Some of the most common evidence-based approaches are:

Psychodynamic (understanding your past and unconscious meanings and the
relationship they have with your thoughts, feelings, and behavior)

Behavioral (focus is on the role learning of all types plays in behavior and feelings)

Cognitive (emphasis on how thoughts affect our emotions and behaviors)

Humanistic (focuses on the client knowing themselves the best and their
ability to reach their highest potential)

Integrative (combines different approaches and blends techniques
together to tailor needs to each individual client)

Most contemporary mental health professionals take an Integrative approach

Letters behind a professional's name indicate what license they have. This is particularly important when you are searching for help with mental illness or crisis intervention. This ensures that the counselor/therapist has completed education and testing that qualifies them to support and treat individuals using evidence-based approaches with complex mental health challenges. LPCC, LCSW, LMHC, and NCC are the most common and good indicators of safe options.

If you don’t feel like you are creating a helpful relationship with your counselor/therapist, you are NOT obligated to continue sessions with them. Although this process can take time, you do not have to stay with a therapist you feel like you are not meshing with.

Counselors and therapists follow a set of ethical guidelines and HIPPA laws that require them to keep information in your sessions private. This information cannot be shared with anyone, even family members (they should make you aware of any exceptions at the beginning. If you have questions, ask them!).

Counseling and therapy are about more than just talking about your feelings. There are many different tools that you might use with your therapist. You should learn and develop skills and methods to manage your mental health on your own during the course of your therapy.

Think about what issues you are seeking help for and see if you can narrow down therapists by looking at their specialties (i.e., trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, grief, etc.).

For more helpful tips and considerations click here.

Online Counseling Services

All Treatment – Find addiction treatment centers near you. More Info
CEREBRAL – An online therapy platform that includes monthly plans and options for medication are available. Accept some insurance plans. More Info
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective – A great way to find a therapist for adolescents who do not have health insurance. Includes a one-time fee for a lifetime membership of $59. Available therapists are both in person or online. More Info
Inclusive Therapists – A simpler, safer way to find therapy. Particularly helpful for individuals of underrepresented communities. More Info

Counseling Services Made for Athletes

My Huddle – An online service for 1-on-1 athlete counseling. Also offers online chats and counseling over the phone. Plans range from $129-$199 per month. More Info
Galea Health – A platform for athlete-focused counseling. Price varies from provider to provider. Can be sports performance or counseling. More Info
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective – A great way to find a therapist for adolescents who do not have health insurance. Includes a one-time fee for a lifetime membership of $59. Offers therapists both in person or online. More Info
Doc Wayne – A non-profit online platform that offers resources and connections to therapy and counseling. Also offers options for in-person group therapy for kids ages 10-18. More Info

mental health coaching vs. counseling

There are many different ways to improve your emotional well-being. With so much access to so many different resources, it’s important to understand the difference between a traditional therapist in counseling versus a mental health coach.

While a coach can’t always help you with complex, clinical problems, they can help you find direction, support, and tools for managing effects of mental health challenges. Therapists are sometimes more limited than coaches because of requirements by their licensure, but they can offer your more variety in techniques to deal with complex issues.

There are pros and cons to both and not everyone will have the same results with one experience as another person. It’s all about finding what works best for YOU. Read below to get a brief overview of major differences.

Mental Health Coaching vs. Therapy

Mental Health Coaching

Not required to have a license.
Required to have a license in a mental health field.
Although many therapists offer both short and long-term therapies, therapy is typically a longer process and can focus on a wide variety of issues, not necessarily a solution or specific goal.
Can assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses.
Can offer medications as a part of treatment.
Options to be covered by health insurance plans.
Many times offer a more brief, solution-focused or
goal-oriented approach.
Cannot diagnose mental illnesses.
Cannot offer medications as a part of treatment.
Not typically covered by health insurance plans.

Therapy

Specialized groups counseling

Sometimes, difficult life events or reoccurring problems can lead us to search for mental health support. One benefit of group therapy is finding others who are experiencing similar problems. Many people are able to relate to others, feel less alone, and develop confidence by helping others who are struggling with similar issues. Some of the most common support group topics are:

Addiction

Sexual Assault

Grief

PTSD

ADD/ADHD

Chronic pain or illness

Anger management

Domestic violence