Family And Marriage Counselor MD

By Timothy Adams


A couple may decide to go for marriage counseling because of one reason or the other. The process is usually managed by a family and marriage counselor. The choice of the right professional will in a significant way affect the course and also outcome of the counseling sessions. It will be important that you choose a professional who shares in your mutual objectives. When choosing a family and marriage counselor MD residents can benefit from some tips.

You will need a professional who has the requisite qualifications because not all of them have undergone professional training. You need to ask the potential counselor about his or her qualifications. This will make it very easy to prove that they have the right documents. You can also use online references. Besides professional training, experience will also be key.

Depending on how serious the issues involved are, the chosen professional should have the right experience to be able to handle the issues. More serious issues will require more experienced professionals. One way to find out level of experience would be by going through online reviews that were posted by previous clients. A counselor must also be unbiased and neutral. Some partners may choose professionals that know them with the belief that such people will be on their side.

A professional in this field should never take sides. The principles of neutrality will apply and this should be irrespective of whether they are known to either of the partners. Couples should be able to agree on a counselor that both of them are comfortable with. If there is a previous acquaintance, that needs to be disclosed and discussed before the sessions begin. This way, all parties will have trust in the sessions and the entire process.

The preferred counselor needs to have similar beliefs as you. A counselor must not force into couples their beliefs as they try to sort out issues. Couples are more comfortable when they realize the professional shares in their belief system. This will mostly apply to Christians or couples who have specific religious preferences. For example, should a couple be of the belief that divorce is not acceptable to God, their preferred counselor should share in the same belief.

The sessions should be more about solutions and less about money. Normally, the number of sessions will depend on how grave the issues at hand are. It also depends on willingness of parties and how dedicated they are to solve the problems at hand. The amount payable should be agreed in time and before the sessions start. Some professionals will charge a flat rate while others have a laid down payment structure.

It is important that you and the therapist set some concrete goals early enough. If there are no goals set, you could be meeting weekly without having any clear directions. Once there are set goals, they will form the guideline of the sessions. A future-orientation is the best way to have issues sorted out.

When it comes to family counseling, couples need to believe in their instincts. If you have a feeling a therapist is helping you, you will be able to know. The same will apply if they are not being of help. If there is no progress with the sessions, you need to opt out.




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