Just because you have a counselor for you or your child, does not necessarily mean that you have the RIGHT counselor for you or your child. I have explained in a previous post how to pick out a good counselor, but many people are afraid to switch counselors, once they get one.

When going through counseling, some people find themselves wondering, is this working, my child doesn’t seem to be getting any better, I don’t feel better, what am I doing wrong? If you have given your counselor some time to get to know you, your family, and your situation, and you feel that no progress is being made, then you may need to find yourself a new counselor. Chances are that if you are wondering if you need to change counselors, then you need to change counselors!

Many people are fearful, for whatever their personal reasons are, of “firing” a counselor. But if you truly feel that no progress is being made, you are not helping your family by keeping quiet, and keeping the same counselor. If you had a broken car, and every time the mechanic fixed the car, the same part broke again, wouldn’t you take your car to a different mechanic? The same principles lie within your family and the progress they are making with the counselor. If what you are looking to get fixed isn’t being fixed, you need to find someone else who CAN fix it.

When you tell a counselor that you feel you should no longer see him or her, he or she might try to convince you to stay. After all, if nothing else you are part of their paycheck. But if you truly feel that you need to move on to a different, or more qualified counselor, then it is important to stand your ground, and let the counselor know that this will be the last visit for you or your family.

If you are very fearful of the confrontation, you can always call the counselor over the phone, and let him or her know that way, that you will no longer be seeing him or her. For many, the phone takes a lot of pressure off the confrontation, and is easier to get through than a face-to-face meeting. While it may be scary to have such a confrontation, especially since for many parents this is the fist experience in “letting someone go,” just keep in mind that you are doing what is best for your family and you will do just fine.