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> When to seek help?
> Counsellors
> What counsellors do
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Finding a therapist
> Getting Started
> Confidentiality
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Scheduling
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Therapy works by…
telling your story to
someone who is
objective and
respectful. |
FINDING A THERAPIST
Who are qualified therapists?
When searching for a counsellor, always feel free to
inquire about qualifications, training and experience.
The requirements for counselling practice vary somewhat
across Canada. Generally, counselling therapists have
specialized training in counselling, a Masters level
graduate degree, are licensed by a professional association
to use a professional title (such as: Psychologist,
Psychiatrist, Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor,
etc.), and subscribe to a professional code of ethics.
All counsellors at Therapyworks are registered
clinical counsellors with the British Columbia Association
of Clinical Counsellors
Online, you may find links to reputable registering bodies
governing therapists in B.C. Most of these sites have a
Private Practice Directory of their members.
About Clinical Counsellor qualifications:
In the province of B.C., a Registered Clinical
Counsellor belongs to the B.C. Association of Clinical
Counsellors and is accountable to BCACC.
To become a Registered Clinical Counsellor in B.C., one must
possess a minimum of a Master's degree in a counseling-based
discipline of study plus several years of supervised
training and experience.
How can I find a counsellor?
Referral services such as the above directories are a
good starting point. Also check out www.counsellingbc.com
for listings of practicing Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC)
; Registered Psychologists (RPsych), and Registered Social
Workers (RSW)
Many employers make counselling services available to their
employees through employee assistance programs (Employee
Assistance Programs).
Qualified therapists are also listed in the yellow pages
under: Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselling and Social
Service Agencies.
Other referral sources include: physicians, professional
associations, word of mouth, local paper ads. Often times,
qualified therapists can be accessed at schools, hospitals,
colleges and universities. In addition, you may ask for a
referral from your family physician, minister or for a
counsellor recommendation from a personal friend or
colleague.
Do
I need a referral from my family physician?
It is wise to keep your physician up to date about
troubling emotional and physical symptoms you may be
experiencing. A referral from your physician is not
necessary to begin counselling, however, if you are
considering seeing a counsellor, do not hesitate to ask your
physician for the name of a therapist he or she would
recommend.
What questions can I
ask a counsellor without hesitation?
• Where did you receive your training? Do you have a
counselling
diploma/degree?
• Do you belong to a professional counselling association?
Which one?
• What will be confidential in our sessions?
• How long have you been practicing counselling?
• Do you have a specific orientation in therapy? Can you
explain
it to me?
• In general terms, how would you approach my
particular situation?
• How long will my therapy plan require?
• What are your spiritual beliefs?
• What are your beliefs about the use of medication?
• Do you keep clinical records?
• Can I invite a support person to all/some of my
counselling appointments?
How do I find the right therapist for me?
Finding a good counsellor for yourself is ultimately
based on relationship. You must feel comfortable and sense
that the therapist is someone you can trust. In order to
safely share intimate details about your life, it is
important to know your counsellor is professionally
qualified.
Once the therapist's credentials and competence are
established, assess your level of personal comfort with him
or her. A good rapport with your therapist is critical.
Clients often claim that they feel their therapy has been
successful based on the quality of their relationship with
their therapist. It is the trusting, healthy
therapist/client relationship that is the key factor in
helping people to achieve their desired goals.
Recognize that the main difference between this relationship
and others in your life is that it is one-way: the therapist
is there for you and the relationship is focused on helping
you work through issues that are of importance to you only.
What if I don't feel
comfortable with my therapist?
The therapeutic relationship is similar in some ways to
other intimate relationships that you have - you want to
build a relationship with someone you can relate to, trust
in, and laugh with.
Whatever skills the counsellor uses with you, you should
feel accepted, appreciated and affirmed for who you are and
the issues that you bring. You should at all times be
respected and treated as an equal in the process of your
counselling.
If, at any time, you don't feel that you have a good match,
let your counsellor know. If you cannot work with your
therapist your goals will be jeopardized.
It is tough to start over, but don't give up. All
counsellors are not the same, and if you've put in the
effort to find a counsellor and begin therapy, then the
issues at hand deserve attention. Try again.
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