How to find a couple''s therapist?

[MonkeyPie]

I don''t have any friends doing this except one doing it through her church - that doesn''t interest me, especially since I know it isn''t working. How else would I find recommended therapists for marriage counseling? I have lots of links but no way to know if they are good or not.

 

[DMBsGirl]

aamft.org good luck!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Thank you very much!

 

[MonkeyPie]

I feel incredibly overwhelmed looking at these listings...and sort of sad about it. What if my husband won''t go? Or what if it doesn''t work? Then what?

For those of you that have gone (I read the "Has anyone actually been to counseling?" thread), what were some of the "homework" things your therapists gave you to do?

 

[FrekeChild]

Hey MP, this is going to sound weird but...being that I worked in a divorce attorney''s office for a year I can tell you that they give out referrals for other types of law that they don''t do, as well as related professions (accountants, financial advisors, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, etc.)ALL THE TIME. So I''d call one of them up and see what they say. Depending on who you''d call (I''d go with a big established divorce firm) they aren''t going to give you the name of someone they haven''t trusted or worked with personally.

And believe it or not, not all divorce attorneys want the business or people to get divorced-they''ve got enough to keep them busy already. And if therapy is an option the couple is willing to try, those divorce attorneys are going to jump on it. At least this goes for the ones I know.

Hey, it''s worth a try right?

 

[iheartscience]

Do you have a primary care physician you can ask for a referral from? Or any friends or relatives who have gone and have a name? Just thought I''d throw that out there! Good luck!

 

[JulieN]

do you not know any psychologists? I know many, though none that specialize in marriage counseling... they are actually all work with family/children/adolescents/young adults, but I would ask a psychologist that I knew for a referral, first.

your insurance company?

local university mental health center?

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 9/14/2008 11:09:29 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Hey MP, this is going to sound weird but...being that I worked in a divorce attorney''s office for a year I can tell you that they give out referrals for other types of law that they don''t do, as well as related professions (accountants, financial advisors, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, etc.)ALL THE TIME. So I''d call one of them up and see what they say. Depending on who you''d call (I''d go with a big established divorce firm) they aren''t going to give you the name of someone they haven''t trusted or worked with personally.


And believe it or not, not all divorce attorneys want the business or people to get divorced-they''ve got enough to keep them busy already. And if therapy is an option the couple is willing to try, those divorce attorneys are going to jump on it. At least this goes for the ones I know.


Hey, it''s worth a try right?

This is a really good idea Freke, and I''ll look into it tomorrow morning. Thanks.

things2of2, I actually don''t - I have been trying to find one for awhile but all the ones I have visited had to turn me down becasue their loads were too big already. Thankfully, I haven''t had any issues, but it''s annoying! I''m going to have another friend that has had "homework" with her therapist share those activities with me.

JulieN, I have tried to avoid the university - from what I have heard, they aren''t terribly helpful. They would be a last resort I think. As for psychocologists, I actually don''t know any. I visited one with my parents when I was 18 (against my will at the time), but she was so incredibily judgemental and unhelpful. It might be worth it to call them for a referral, though. Thanks.

 

[onedrop]

MP: You could also try your own health insurance company if they offer mental health coverage. Even of you don''t have a PCP yet, you might be able to see a therapist without a referral. My insurance carrier also has a mental health network so that is how I found a good therapist.

 

[wishful]

http://www.marriagebuilders.com/

This is a great place to start. This dr''s books are fantastic and he does seminars and I think has other ways to councel than the weekend workshops or the books. give it a look.