Choosing the right Therapist

Choosing the right therapist can seem like a daunting task, but it is an important step toward achieving emotional wellness.

Here are some tips to help guide you through the process:

1. Determine your needs
   Before you start searching for a therapist, take some time to identify what you want to achieve through therapy.  Do you need help managing anxiety, depression or trauma?  Are you seeking to improve your communication or relationship skills, or cope with a major life transition?
   Understanding this will help narrow down your search and find a therapist whose expertise and experience match your needs and goals.

2. Research
   Once you have identified your needs, start researching therapists.  Use an online directory, such as Psychology Today, or ask for a referral from your healthcare provider, or trusted family members and friends.

3. Check credentials
   It is important to ensure that the therapist you choose has the appropriate credentials, and understand what they are. All therapists should be members of a governing body or college in your province. Associations are not the same as registration in a governing body or college, as they are in place to protect the public.

4. Consider therapy style
   Different therapists use different approaches to therapy depending on their personal styles and the therapy goals.  Some may use cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), family systems, Acceptance Commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused therapy, and/or motivational interviewing, among many others.  Finding a therapist whose style resonates with you and your needs is important.

5. Check availability, cost and insurance coverage
   Before you schedule your first appointment, make sure that the therapist’s availability and location work for you.  It is important that getting to your appointment will not be a barrier that gets in the way of your receiving the support that you need.  Inquire if sessions by telephone or video are available, should you require them. It is also important to consider the cost of therapy and whether your insurance will cover it. Because all insurance plans are different, it is important to check with your benefits provider before booking your session.

6. Trust your instincts
   Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a therapist is how comfortable you feel with them.  Does your therapist provide you with a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment? Do you feel that you can build a positive therapeutic relationship with them? The fit between the two parties is essential to build a strong clinical alliance together.

Remember, finding the right therapist can take a little effort, but the benefits of therapy can be life-changing.  

Do not be afraid to ask questions and take your time in making your decision.  

Counselling vs. Psychotherapy

Counselling and psychotherapy are both therapeutic approaches that aim to help individuals improve their mental health, well-being and quality of life. While there can be some overlap between the two, there are also some key differences;

Focus: Counselling typically focuses on addressing specific problems or issues that can come up in someone’s life, such as relationship changes, grief, or stress management. Often these can be quite solution and goal focused. On the other hand, Psychotherapy tends to focus on deeper, more complex issues, such as long-standing emotional or behavioral patterns, and may involve exploring childhood experiences or trauma.

Duration: Counselling tends to be shorter-term, typically lasting for several sessions over a few weeks or months. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, can be longer-term and may involve ongoing sessions over the course of several months or years.

Approach: Counselling tends to be more solution-focused and practical, with the therapist offering advice and guidance on how to address specific problems or challenges. Psychotherapy tends to be more exploratory and introspective, with the therapist helping the individual to gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and make lasting changes.

Training: Both counsellors and psychotherapists may have similar training backgrounds, but clinician’s providing psychotherapy typically have more advanced training and qualifications in social work, psychotherapy, educational counselling or related fields. Not everyone that provides counselling is able to practice the “act of psychotherapy”; it is important to discuss this with your therapist if you are seeking psychotherapy.

Counseling and psychotherapy are both valuable therapeutic approaches that can help individuals improve their mental health and well-being. They each have their own main purpose and effectiveness depending on what you are seeking from external support. The main differences lie in their focus, duration, approach, and the level of training and qualifications required of the practitioner.