How to Pick a Therapist?
Let’s be honest, there are a lot of therapists out there and just like understanding which therapeutic approach might suit you best, how can you narrow down which therapist you will have the greatest chance of connecting with? Here are some things to consider when choosing your therapist:
Where to look
To find therapists in Canada and British Columbia specifically:
You can also use Google and search for a counsellor that practices in a specific location or specializes in a certain area of mental health concerns.
Gender
This is a wide ranging topic and I’m going to simplify it here. Some people will have a preference to work with a counsellor whose biology and presentation feels congruent to them. Others are looking for a counsellor that identifies or presents in the same way they do. If this is important to you then this is one of the easiest ways in getting one step closer to finding a therapist that works for you.
Look at their photo
I know, I know - that’s like judging a book by it’s cover. But remember, you will be revealing the deepest parts of yourself to this person. On first glance, what are your impressions, thoughts, feelings? Photos often reveal parts of people’s identity and values - do you think you can get along with this person?
If you have any doubts about a therapist based on their photo, I would listen to your intuition. See if you can find someone who you could easily sit across from.
Education
In British Columbia, counselling is not a regulated profession which means that anyone can call themselves a counsellor, coach or therapist. However, there are things that you can look out for to ensure that your therapist has the appropriate training and education to help you best.
Does the person have a post graduate degree like a Masters or a PhD from a reputable university or school? Are they registered with the British Columbia Association for Clinical Counsellors or a different regulatory body like the College of Psychologists? If so, you know that their qualifications have been verified by an independent organisation.
Lived Experience and Expertise
Is it important to you that the therapist you work with has been through the same challenges you are facing? If so then looking at their biographies or ‘about me’ may give you a sense of their lived experience.
Some therapists find a niche where they do most of their work and so have a lot of experience in a specific area and you can look specifically for that.
Therapeutic Approach
There are lots of ways of ‘doing therapy’. If you are looking for something specific then this is another way to narrow down the search. Most therapists will use a variety of therapeutic modalities with a focus on a few specific one. For more information on different kinds of therapeutic approaches click here.
Location and Availability
If you are looking for in-person sessions then location will be a factor. Use location as part of your search term in Google or use it as a filter on one of the many ‘Find a Therapist’ sites online.
Whether it be in person or online, does the counsellor’s availability work with yours? You want to know that you’ll be able to make appointments at times that are convenient for you.
Insurance and Other Coverage
Many extended health insurance plans will cover some or all of your counselling; you’ll need to check in with your insurance provider for the specifics. Some therapists bill directly to your insurance providers whereas others will bill you and then send a receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
Some therapists are registered with ICBC, First Nations Health Authority, Crime Victim Assistance Program etc. If you are eligible for any of these benefits then the therapist bills directly and you will not have to pay for counselling services.
Reviews
Although this can be helpful to get a general idea of what it might be like to work with a counsellor, it is important to remember that people are more likely to leave bad reviews than good ones. On the flip side just because someone else had an amazing experience with a counsellor doesn’t mean you will too - counselling is so personal and you won’t really know what you’re experience is going to be without trying.
Phone call/complimentary consultation
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few contenders, see if they offer a complimentary consultation. This will give you a no risk opportunity to ask any questions you might have but more importantly, it will give you the chance to see what it might be like to work with that person.
There are many different filters that you can use to pick a therapist but at some point you’re going to have to pick one and give it a try. Remember, there is no right or wrong here; don’t let making a decision stop you from seeking support. Trust your intuition and first impressions when speaking with a potential counsellor and be open to the possibilities; you might find that you don’t connect with someone you thought you would or you may connect with someone you didn’t think would work!