Therapists can help you develop a set of skills to manage your thoughts and feelings and move forward in your life.
But, how do you choose one? More importantly, how do you choose the right one?
Clinics like CBT Associates (the bricks and mortar counterpart to BEACON), for example, typically have therapist bios on their websites. A good place to start is to read through these to get a general sense of who they are and what services they offer. You’ll notice different designations – let’s break them down
Psychologist
Completed doctoral studies in clinical psychology and the required 2,000 hours of training, and is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. (Or whatever jurisdiction they are working in.)
Psychologist (Supervised Practice)
Completed doctoral studies, and is in the process of clinical training. Training is supervised by a registered psychologist, who provides feedback.
Clinical Psychology Resident
In the process of completing their doctoral studies.
Other Registered Mental Health Professionals
Trained in mental health disciplines other than psychology. This includes psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers (RSW).
Because psychologists are the most experienced, they are typically the most expensive. Cost may depend on the category of the practitioner, but expensive doesn’t always mean better. An experienced Registered Social Worker may have more years of professional practice than a psychologist, who has freshly completed clinical training, for example.
You might also want to check with your benefits provider to see what coverage you have. Increasingly, Canadian companies are seeing the advantage of offering mental health support services in their packages, and are providing more coverage. (Most, for example, now cover digital therapy approaches like BEACON.) So, that might also be a factor to consider when making your choice.
When considering therapists, factors like gender, age, personality style and experience with specific issues are just as important. For example, if you identify as LGBTQ, or are experiencing post-partum depression, you may feel more comfortable speaking with a therapist familiar with those life experiences.
At most clinics, the first step is a thorough intake interview to help identify your needs. They can then recommend a therapist who suits you.
Fit can take time – and some fine-tuning.
The only way to know if it’s a good fit is to meet (in person or, now, virtually). It’s for you to gauge if you feel comfortable. You may know this right away or it may take some time. Try to be patient and give it two to three sessions. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your therapist to allow them to adjust the sessions as needed. If it still doesn’t feel right, you can stop sessions and ask to switch to someone new.
A benefit of CBT is that the first session begins with a structured diagnostic assessment that thoroughly captures your history, symptoms, challenges and reasons for seeking help. So, if you decide to switch to another therapist, your detailed profile and progress can be transferred, so you can pick up where you left off.
Acknowledging you need some help is the first step in making a change. A therapist can offer the guidance you need to kick-start this change – and build skills to take control of your mental health, for life.
So, do a bit of research, ask a lot of questions and find the one that fits you best!
