Anxious About Your Investments? What to Look for in a Financial Advisor During Uncertain Times

If you’re nervous about where your investments are headed, you’re not alone. Volatile markets make a lot of people second-guess their decisions. They check their accounts too often. They wonder if they should pull out or double down. But reactionary investing rarely ends well. What actually helps — especially in uncertain times — is working with a financial advisor who knows how to stay calm and focused on your long-term outcomes.

But how do you choose the right financial advisor?

Start with Trust — But Make Them Earn It

You can’t outsource your financial stress to just anyone. This is someone who will see the full picture: your income, your habits, your fears, your family situation, and your future goals. You need to trust them, but trust should come from clear evidence. Ask how long they’ve been doing this. Ask how they’ve handled turbulent markets before. What happened to their clients in 2008? Or in early 2020? Do they have any kind of written process for decision-making in unstable environments?

A trustworthy advisor doesn’t just say, “Don’t worry, we’ve got this.” They show you why you don’t have to worry, with a defined planning process and historical perspectives.

Pay Attention to How They Talk About Risk

A good financial advisor doesn’t just talk about returns. They talk about risk. More importantly, they talk about your comfort level with risk — and they help you quantify that in real terms. If they’re pushing growth strategies that make you uncomfortable, they’re not listening. If they’re only showing you the upside without talking through the potential downside, they’re not being honest.

The market can go up or down on any given day. But your advisor should help you understand what happens to your plan when it does. They should run scenarios. They should explain what happens if inflation runs hot or the market dips 20%. And they should help you see that the best course of action during a downturn is letting them take a proactive approach to ensuring you’re still tracking towards your goals.

Look for Process and Resources

It’s easy to feel reassured by a friendly personality or a confident tone. But market volatility isn’t managed by charisma. It’s managed by having a clear investment process that doesn’t change with every headline. Does the advisor use a structured rebalancing schedule? Do they rely on research-backed asset allocation models? Can they walk you through how your money will be handled in good times and bad?

Choosing a financial advisor means choosing someone with a consistent framework. You should walk away from your first conversation with a sense that there’s a system behind their advice, not just opinions.

They Should Talk About Your Behavior, Not Just the Market

One of the most valuable things an advisor can do is help you manage your reactions. Research from Vanguard estimates that behavioral coaching accounts for about half the potential value an advisor can add. That includes talking you out of panic selling, helping you stick to the plan, and preventing emotional decision-making.

So, if the advisor isn’t asking about how you typically respond to financial stress or having you complete a risk profile, that’s a red flag. If they’re not acknowledging how market volatility affects human behavior, they may not be equipped to help you ride it out.

Ask About Communication During a Crisis

You don’t want to find out in the middle of a crash that your advisor has gone silent. Ask them upfront: how do they communicate with clients? Do they send updates? Do they host live webinars? Will they be available for a phone call in times of volatility?

You don’t need hand-holding every time the S&P dips a little. But you should have confidence that they’ll be there when you need perspective. Consistent communication builds confidence, and in shaky markets, that’s what helps people stay invested.

Don’t Confuse Planning with Performance

A financial advisor’s job is not to beat the market. It’s to help you work toward your goals. That means looking at more than just your portfolio. A good advisor will factor in your time horizon, retirement goals, spending patterns, and tax situation. They’ll help you understand how things like inflation, health care costs, or even longevity risk can affect your financial life.

They’ll run retirement readiness analyses. They’ll stress test your plan. They’ll talk about things like sequence of returns risk, which can derail even high-performing portfolios if withdrawals are timed poorly.

This kind of work isn’t flashy, but it’s what helps you sleep at night.

Credentials Matter — But So Does Fit

You want someone with real qualifications. CFP® is one of the most respected designations for financial planners. You also want to know they’ve worked with people like you. Are they used to working with retirees? Business owners? High-income professionals with equity comp?

Ask about their typical client. Ask about how they charge — and why. Some are fee-only. Some are commission-based. Some use a hybrid model. If they can’t explain their compensation clearly, move on.

Fragasso Financial Advisors: A Pittsburgh Perspective on Stability

For those looking to explore this topic further, Fragasso Financial Advisors, a Pittsburgh-based wealth management firm, recently published a blog post discussing how financial advisors support clients in challenging economic environments. While every investor has different needs, the post offers a grounded take on how the advisor-client relationship can play a stabilizing role when markets turn volatile.

Final Thought

Market volatility is normal. But panic isn’t. If you find yourself stressed out by every dip, it’s probably time to stop trying to go it alone. Choosing a financial advisor doesn’t guarantee your investments will never lose value. But the right advisor can help you stop making short-term decisions that damage long-term results.

Ask the hard questions. Expect transparency. Look for process, not personality. And make sure whoever you hire isn’t just managing your money — they’re helping you manage your mindset.

Investment advice offered by investment advisor representatives through Fragasso Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.