Start Your Journey to Mental Wellness with Confidence
by Luz Angela Ventura, Director of the Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention at United Way of Broward County
United Way of Broward County always is at the forefront of addressing social challenges in our community. One of our United Way’s objectives is increasing access to mental health resources for every person in our community.
Recognizing the profound impact of mental well-being on individuals, families, and entire communities, our United Way’s Mental Health Promotion Action Team is part of the launch for the Be Healthy Broward campaign, which promotes accessible, equitable, and effective support systems to improve mental health at any stage of life.
When seeking support for mental health, many people face a variety of barriers — such as cost, lack of insurance, stigma, or geographical limitation. Our United Way collaborates with a wide range of local agencies to fund low-cost or free counseling services, crisis-intervention programs, and community-based mental health clinics.
We also play a critical role in crisis response by funding suicide prevention hotlines, emergency mental health services, and support networks for individuals in distress. Collaborating with organizations like 211 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, we are helping people find immediate help, support, and resources.
Mental health needs vary widely, and finding a provider who specializes in a specific area — such as addiction recovery, trauma counseling, or family therapy — can be challenging. With numerous professionals offering different approaches and specializations, the process can seem overwhelming for someone who is trying to find help.
A clear understanding of your needs can help you find a provider who aligns with your goals and supports your journey toward mental wellness.
Key actions to consider as you select a mental health provider include:
- Define your needs:
- Research credentials and qualifications: Ensure that the provider holds valid certifications and licenses to practice. Reputable mental health professionals often have affiliations with organizations like the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, or the American Psychiatric Association. Checking credentials can help verify the professional’s expertise and professionalism.
- Consider therapeutic approaches: Different providers use various approaches, such as:
- cognitive behavioral therapy — identifying and changing negative thought patterns
- dialectical behavior therapy — focusing on emotion regulation and interpersonal difficulties
- psychodynamic therapy — exploring unconscious influences and past experiences
- humanistic therapy — encouraging self-awareness, personal growth, and fulfillment
- mindfulness-based therapy — integrating meditation and present-moment awareness
- Check Experience and Specialization: Mental health providers often specialize in specific areas such as trauma, addiction, grief counseling, or personality disorders. Some focus on treating children, adolescents, adults, or particular groups, like Veterans or LGBT people. Reviewing the professional’s areas of expertise can help determine if he or she is a good fit for your treatment.
- Evaluate Accessibility and Availability: Practical considerations play a role in making therapy sustainable. Ask yourself the following: Is the provider conveniently located, or do they offer virtual sessions? Are the appointment times flexible enough to fit your routine? Does the professional accept your insurance or offer sliding-scale fees based on income?
- Read Reviews and
- Schedule a Consultation: Many providers offer initial consultations, either free or at a reduced cost, to discuss their approach and determine compatibility. A good therapeutic relationship is built on trust and connection, so assessing how you feel in the first meeting is essential. During this session, consider:
- Does the professional listen attentively and show empathy?
- Are his or her explanations clear and reassuring?
- Do you feel comfortable being open with this professional?
- Assess Compatibility over Time: Finding the right provider may take time. If sessions do not feel effective or you sense a lack of connection, then reassess and explore other professionals. Therapy should be a positive and supportive experience, so choosing a provider who understands your needs is critical.
Make a list of potential therapists, and after selecting one, keep the others as back-up options. In your first session, take the opportunity to ask your therapist important questions, and we recommend you know about:
- the professional’s experience working with your racial/ethnic/sexual/gender/religious identity
- his or her worldview/cultural influences and how these influences impact the approach to therapy
- his or her experience working with your diagnosis/presenting issues
- the method of therapy the professional will be using
After your first session, reflect on how you felt physically and emotionally.
- Did you feel physically and emotionally safe in the presence of the therapist?
- Was the therapeutic space inviting and comforting?
- Did the therapist seem knowledgeable and competent?
- Did you have the sense he or she was connecting with you?
- Did he or she give you space to express yourself and include you in the conversation?
- Was the professional willing to work with your insurance/budget/schedule?
It can take a few tries to find a good match. Do not accept unprofessional or negative behavior, such as dismissing issues you bring up, falling asleep in session, seeming distracted, or making inappropriate comments or advances.
Finding the right mental health provider is a uniquely personal journey — and no one should have to navigate it alone. At United Way of Broward County, we understand how daunting it can be to take the first step toward healing, especially in the face of systemic barriers and uncertainty. That’s why we remain steadfast in our mission to expand access to all healthcare, remove stigmas, and walk alongside every person who seeks support.
For more information on mental health resources, visit United Way of Broward County’s Prevention Resources.
Click here to contact our United Way’s Mental Health Promotion Action Team.
