Finding a therapist isn’t always easy. But it doesn’t have to be as hard as it feels

Santos Counseling offers counseling in Winston-Salem, NC. If you’ve been searching for a therapist in Winston-Salem, you already know: it takes more effort than it should. Navigating insurance questions, long waitlists, and offices that don’t return calls. 

This guide is meant to make that process clearer. It covers what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to get matched with someone who’s actually a good fit for your counseling needs. Not just someone with an opening.

Below is a helpful guide on how to find a therapist in Winston Salem, NC

1. Pay attention to how you feel in the first session

One of the single most important factors in whether therapy helps is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist. 

Below are questions that you can reflect on after a first session, ask yourself:

• Did I feel heard and respected?
• Did the therapist seem to understand what I’m dealing with?
• Did I feel comfortable enough to be honest?
• Do I think I could work with this person?

If the answer is no, it’s okay to try someone else. It’s not a reflection on you or on therapy. Finding the right fit is part of the process.

2. Start with your insurance

Before you search for therapists by name, take a moment to review your process for paying for the service. Some offices take insurance while others do not. At Santos Counseling, we are in-network with most major insurance plans. Call your insurance to confirm what your insurance covers. This saves significant time.

Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my copay for outpatient therapy?
• Do I have a deductible I need to meet first?
• Are telehealth sessions covered the same as in-person?

At Santos Counseling, we actively work to support you with the insurance process. We do this by supporting you with verifying your benefits. 

A common question that people ask us is, what insurance covers therapy in Winston-Salem? Most major insurance plans cover outpatient mental health services. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is one of the most widely accepted plans in the Winston-Salem area. United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Optum plans may also cover therapy, though the network of providers varies.

3. Think about what kind of help you’re looking for

We find that it can be helpful to reflect on what brings you to therapy. Therapy is not one thing. When you start working with a counselor, you can work on varying areas.

Here is a helpful list of questions to ask yourself:

• Is this individual therapy, couples counseling, or family therapy?
• Is the primary concern anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ADHD, relationship issues, or life transitions?
• Does my child need a therapist who specializes in working with young people?
• Is it important that my therapist speaks Spanish?
• Do I need someone who understands a particular background, identity, or experience?

Remember, you don’t need a perfect answer to all of these. Having a rough idea of what you’re looking for will help you narrow the field significantly.

4. Verify that the therapist is licensed

Santos Counseling is located in North Carolina. We have offices in Greensboro and in Winston-Salem, NC.  It’s important to know that therapists providing counseling services must hold a state license. Common license types you’ll see include:

• LCMHC — Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• LCMHCS — Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor
• LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• LMFT — Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

If you are curious about the process, you can click on the links above to learn more about a therapist’s license through the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) or the relevant licensing board. When you start with Santos Counseling, please feel welcome to speak to your licensed therapist about their license type.

5. Consider telehealth

Did you know that Santos Counseling offers therapy in-person as well as telehealth therapy? If you are in North Carolina, we can work with you. 

Telehealth therapy can be a great option for people who have scheduling constraints, live outside the immediate Winston-Salem area, prefer the privacy and convenience of sessions from home, or are dealing with anxiety that makes getting out of the house difficult. If a practice you’re interested in offers both, don’t dismiss the telehealth option just because in-person feels more “real.”

6. Understand what to expect in early sessions

The first one or two sessions are typically an intake focused on the therapist getting to know you, understanding your history, and learning what you’re hoping to get out of therapy.

You’ll probably be asked about:

• What brought you in
• Your current life situation
• Relevant history
• Your goals for therapy

You’re also allowed to ask questions. A good therapist welcomes them.

Why Do I Overthink Everything? 5 Ways to Calm an Anxious Mind

Did you know that overthinking can leave you feeling anxious, mentally exhausted, and stuck in a cycle of “what if” thoughts? Take a moment and subscribe to our counseling podcast, The Couch. In this episode of The Couch, Dr. Juan Santos explores why we overthink and shares five practical strategies for calming an anxious mind. Learn how to recognize overthinking patterns, slow down racing thoughts, and respond to anxiety in healthier and more intentional ways.

Listen and subscribe to the podcast for practical mental health strategies you can begin using today.

Getting Started with a Therapist in Winston-Salem

Santos Counseling is now serving the Winston-Salem area. We offer individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, anxiety counseling, trauma counseling, and teen and child therapy via telehealth now, with in-person appointments coming soon.

We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and other major insurance plans. We have bilingual Spanish-speaking counselors on staff. And we respond to new inquiries within one business day.

Call or text 336-663-6570 to get started, or visit our Winston-Salem counseling page to learn more about the team and how to get matched with the right counselor.