Finding your fit
How to choose a counselor.
A little clarity can make the first step easier.
There are a lot of names, credentials, and approaches to sort through. You may know what you need, or you may simply know that something needs to change.
This guide can help you narrow your options and choose someone you would like to meet at Joshua Tree Counseling in Tucson.
01 / Your starting point
Start with what matters to you.
Before comparing everyone, identify two or three things you most need from counseling. Those priorities can make a long list of options feel more manageable.
What brings you here?
You might want help with anxiety, grief, trauma, a relationship, or a pattern you cannot quite name. Look for a counselor who works with those concerns and your age group.
What helps you feel understood?
Consider the kind of conversation you want: direct and practical, gentle and reflective, or somewhere in between. Gender, cultural understanding, language, and shared life experience may matter to you, too.
How do you want faith included?
You may want Christian faith woven into your sessions, a shared worldview, or counseling without faith integration. Make that preference part of your search.
A useful question: What matters most for me to feel comfortable beginning—and able to keep coming?
02 / Get to know your options
Read for the person behind the profile.
A profile is an introduction. Read a few that connect with your priorities, then notice what you would like to learn in a conversation.
Who do they work with?
Look for your age group, the concerns you bring, and whether they offer individual or couples work. Relevant experience is worth asking about.
How do they describe the work?
Notice their tone, pace, and approach. If a therapy term is unfamiliar, ask them to explain what it would mean in your sessions.
What kind of care do they provide?
Read their credentials and service description. Check whether they are independently licensed, work under supervision, or offer pastoral counseling.
Wondering about the credentials or the role of faith? Our guide to licensed counseling and pastoral counseling explains the kinds of care available at Joshua Tree.
03 / Make room for your questions
You can ask about the work.
You are getting to know someone you may share personal things with. These questions can help you understand their experience, expectations, and approach.
- Their experience
What experience do you have with the concerns I’m bringing?
- Getting started
What might our first few sessions involve?
- Your goals
How would we decide what to work on and notice progress?
- Their approach
How do you choose an approach, and what if it isn’t helping?
- Between sessions
Would you suggest anything for me to practice or reflect on?
- Your privacy
How does confidentiality work, and what are its limits?
Choose one or two that matter most to you. You can keep asking questions as counseling unfolds.
04 / Begin getting to know each other
The first session is a beginning.
You do not have to tell your whole story at once or leave knowing exactly how everything will unfold.
As you meet, pay attention to how the counselor listens, responds, and explains the work. Notice whether there is room for your questions, preferences, and uncertainty.
Trust may take time. You can talk about anything that feels confusing or uncomfortable. If you decide you would prefer a different counselor, Kelly can help you consider other options.
A few common questions
Still sorting it out?
Do I need to know what kind of therapy I want?
You can begin by describing what you want help with. Ask a counselor how they would approach it, why that approach may fit, and what working together could involve. If you already have a particular approach in mind, ask about their training and experience with it.
What if more than one counselor seems like a good fit?
Compare the priorities you started with, then look at the practical details. You can choose one person to meet and learn more from that conversation. If you would like help narrowing your options, send Kelly a counseling inquiry.
Can I see a Christian counselor without faith in my sessions?
Yes. In licensed counseling at Joshua Tree, you can choose counseling without faith integration. You can also discuss whether you want a shared Christian worldview, prayer, Scripture, or room to explore questions about faith.
Pastoral counseling begins with a Christian framework. Read about the different kinds of care before choosing that service.
How do I choose a counselor for a teen?
Look for someone who works with your teen’s age group and concerns. When possible, include your teen in reading profiles and talking about who they would feel comfortable meeting.
For teens under 18 at Joshua Tree, the first appointment is with the parent or guardian only. See how to get started for booking and consent details.
Your next step
Find a counselor you’d like to meet.
Take a little time with the profiles. When someone stands out, our getting-started guide walks you through requesting your first appointment.
Counseling inquiry
A little help narrowing your options.
Tell us your age group, what you want help with, and any preferences for fees, location, schedule, or faith integration. Kelly, our practice manager, can suggest a few counselors for you to consider.
Use the form below, or text Kelly with a quick question.
Keep your inquiry to general fit and scheduling questions. Use your secure client portal for sensitive clinical information.