How to Find a Licensed Counselor in Florida

Counselors are health professionals who work in community settings, private practice or institutions to help patients manage a range of mental health issues, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counselors go by many names--counselors, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists or psychologists are just a few of the titles that licensed counselors use. Licensed counselors in Florida usually hold at least one advanced degree--such as a master's degree--and must pass a state licensing examination. Thanks to organizations that represent licensed counselors, licensing bodies and local community resources, there are three specific ways to find a licensed counselor in Florida.

Instructions

• 1

  Search resources offered by professional groups. Depending on their specialty, licensed counselors in Florida may belong to a variety of professional groups--but all professional groups offer the public ways to find licensed counselors through their organizations. For example, the American Psychological Association offers a Psychologist Locator on its web site that allows you to search by city, state or zip code; the Florida Counseling Association provides a chapter list as well as a directory of chapters by county.

• 2

  Explore resources built by licensing bodies. The Florida Department of Health maintains a searchable database of the counselors it licenses to practice in the state. Using the Department of Health's license verification tool, select "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" from the drop-down menu, leave all other fields blank, and click "Find Provider." A clickable list of licensed counselors--organized by city and county--results.

• 3

  Ask your doctor. Because your doctor is familiar with your individual health circumstances and personal preferences, asking her for a referral to a licensed counselor helps you find a counselor that will meet your specific needs with minimum additional research involved. Your doctor can also work with you to determine if your health insurance covers the cost of the counselor since he is providing a referral.