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Your Guide To Finding A Marriage Therapist Near You

Your Guide To Finding A Marriage Therapist Near You

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Going to counseling with your partner can strengthen or even save your relationship. But first, you need to pick the right therapist. Here’s how to search for one and decide if they match you and your partner.

Start Online and Screen for Credentials

Finding the right marriage therapist might feel daunting, but starting online is a good jumping-off point. Search for “marriage therapist near me” and look for therapists with a master’s degree or Ph.D. in mental health who focus on couples work. Advanced Behavior Health Inc. has a team of highly qualified therapists specializing in marriage and family therapy, ready to help you navigate your relationship challenges.

Check with Your Health Insurer About Coverage

If you have health insurance, your plan might offer a list of in-network therapists. Be sure to check if they focus on couples therapy, as not all therapists do. However, even if you find an in-network therapist, insurance may not cover couples therapy, which can be costly. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., we provide detailed information on our services and work with various insurance providers to make therapy accessible.

Be Ready with Questions

Once you have a shortlist of potential therapists, narrow your choices by asking questions during an initial phone consultation or email exchange. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., we encourage you to ask about our therapists’ approaches, their experience with issues similar to yours, and what you can expect from therapy sessions.

What Will Working with You Be Like, and How Long Will Treatment Last?

Most couples therapists see their work as relatively brief and solution-oriented. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., we help partners navigate specific conflicts around money, sex, parenting, and broader concerns like communication challenges. We typically offer an initial timeline for treatment, which might change as we learn more about your situation.

Have You Dealt with My Issue Before?

Ask counselors if they have treated couples facing similar issues. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., our therapists have extensive experience with a wide range of relationship challenges, from infidelity to communication breakdowns. Knowing your therapist has successfully dealt with similar issues can provide confidence in their ability to help you.

How Do You Handle Secrets?

In individual sessions, one partner might share something with the therapist but not with the other partner. Some therapists have a “no secrets” policy, while others allow private information to remain confidential. It’s essential to know how your therapist handles these situations. At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., we discuss our approach to confidentiality upfront to ensure it aligns with your comfort level.

Attend a Few Sessions and Give Some Feedback

Try a few visits before concluding that a therapist isn’t right for you. We recommend at least two to four sessions at Advanced Behavior Health Inc. Both partners should feel respected and heard, and you should feel confident in the therapist’s ability to help. Offering feedback to the therapist can make therapy more effective, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on how the sessions are going.

Why Choose Advanced Behavior Health Inc.?

At Advanced Behavior Health Inc., our mission is to serve the community’s complex mental health needs regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual identity, or disability. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion drives us to provide the best possible care daily. You select a supportive and inclusive environment where your relationship can thrive by choosing us.

Our Benefits Include:

Highly Qualified Therapists: Our team comprises experienced professionals specializing in marriage and family therapy.

Flexible Scheduling: We offer convenient appointment times to fit your busy schedule.

Inclusive Care: We commit to serving clients from all backgrounds with compassion and respect.

Comprehensive Services: We offer a range of services, from individual counseling to group therapy, to support your mental health needs.

Contact Information:

Advanced Behavior Health Inc.
301-345-1022
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When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.