The relationship between the counselor and the client is an important component of a successful counseling experience. Counselors will do their best to make a client feel comfortable in their office and I think most clients feel satisfied enough after a first session with a counselor that their is no need to "shop around".
However, finding the right therapist isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of situation. Not all counselors approach counseling the same way. Some might be more warm and fuzzy while others are more formal and get down to business. You may not feel like your personalities are a good match. No matter what the source of your discomfort may be, if you don't like the first counselor that you happen to see, seek out someone else.
Many of you may be thinking something along the lines of, "No thanks! I just spent 50 minutes with that other counselor telling them my life story. I may not totally like them but I don't want to go through the hassle of finding another counselor, waiting for an appointment and telling my story again". That is a completely valid response to the idea of finding someone new.
However the way your feel about your counselor will have a direct impact on your attitude about going to your sessions, how much you listen to what your counselor may say in the session and the amount of progress you make towards your goal. After all, are you going to feel safe sharing private information with someone you don't like or don't know if you can trust?
As I pointed out in my previous post, counseling is an investment in yourself. You are spending your time, energy and money on your session. Make sure you get a good return on your investment. :)
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