Jan 9, 2007

TOP MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE AND THERAPIST DIRECTORY RE-LAUNCHES;  SIMPLIFIES CHICAGOAN'S SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL

Oak Park-based FindCounseling.com offers wealth of mental health 
information with the touch of a few keys

OAK PARK, Ill. (December 2006) – For Chicagoans looking for a mental  health professional, the search just got easier with the re-launch of  FindCounseling.com.

FindCounseling.com (formerly TherapistFinder.net) was founded
10  years ago to help connect those looking for a mental health 
professional with a qualified therapist. The site’s goal is the same 
today – with the most advanced search technology for finding local 
therapists and a wealth of mental health information, 
FindCounseling.com is a one-stop resource for anyone seeking in-depth  information about mental health issues.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 
one in four U.S. adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in 
a given year.  And a recent study revealed that most Americans take 
years, even decades, to seek treatment, even though treating cases 
early on can prevent more frequent and severe problems down the road  [i].  FindCounseling.com’s online database of qualified local 
therapists and advanced search capabilities make it easier to find a 
mental health professional and begin treatment right away.

“Finding a therapist is a very personal matter, and we’re aware that 
many don’t know where or how to begin their search,” said 
FindCounseling.com founder and CEO C.J. Newton.  “You want to find  someone who not only has the expertise you need but also makes
you  feel comfortable.  With the detailed listings and comprehensive 
information on FindCounseling.com, Chicagoans can now quickly, easily  and privately identify area therapists who fit their specific needs.”

For Chicago-area residents needing information about mental health 
concerns, FindCounseling.com has it. In addition to the Therapist 
Finder tool, the site includes articles written by licensed mental 
health professionals, the latest news on mental health issues, links 
to national mental health associations, and a glossary of mental 
health terminology.

To provide the most effective, simple search possible for users, 
FindCounseling.com features a search engine that suggests terms
for  users as they type. The technology, which uses artificial 
intelligence to figure out what users are seeking, helps users search 
quickly and efficiently by anticipating their needs.  For instance, 
when someone types in a search term – e.g. “family” – a list of terms 
relevant to “family” appears as they type, along with a list of 
therapists specializing in the particular topic.

FindCounseling.com offers therapist listings searchable by location, 
expertise, language spoken, gender, HMO or PPO, and more.  The site  includes licensed therapists in a variety of modalities.  Each 
therapist has their own detailed Web page listing his or her 
philosophy, background, office location, hours and contact 
information, educating consumers about their training and providing
a  first-hand account of how he or she approaches the therapy process. 
FindCounseling.com is not a referral service; the site simply offers 
a searchable list of professionals.

“We’re happy to be able to provide this important resource to the 
Chicagoland area,” added Newton.  “We hope it will continue to be a 
great resource for many residents seeking information on mental 
health issues.”

Community Resource Directory

A sister site to FindCounseling.com, CommunityResources.net offers a  directory of physical health, mental health, disability and social 
service organizations that provide direct service for free or on a 
sliding-scale basis.  As part of a commitment to improved healthcare 
in the communities we reach, the company builds pages for free for 
any non-profit organization that provides direct services to the 
community, such as shelters, community mental health centers and drug  counseling centers.

About FindCounseling.com

FindCounseling.com (formerly TherapistFinder.net) is the original 
interactive online directory of therapists, attracting more than one 
million visitors a year.  Founder C.J. Newton developed the website 
in 1996, prior to which there were only limited therapist listings 
easily accessible to the public.  Today, the Therapist Finder tool is 
ubiquitous on the Internet and the site has become a trusted resource 
for mental health information, attracting more than one million 
visitors a year. FindCounseling.com is a division of Mir Internet 
Marketing, Inc., based in Oak Park, Ill.

For more information, please visit FindCounseling.com or call 
708-445-9800.