So, you want to start therapy?
So, you want to start therapy?
Congratulations! You have already taken a few steps in the right direction.
It can be overwhelming to look for a therapist. Where do you even start? It can be helpful to ask yourself whether you are looking for someone who you can work with virtually, or if you are looking for in-person support. If you are open to working with a therapist virtually, you are likely to have more options regarding who you would like to choose to work within your province. If you are looking for in-person support, you are likely bound by proximity.
Some other questions folks will typically ask themselves as they look for a therapist to work with are the following:
Would you be more comfortable speaking with someone who is male, female, non-binary? Is this important to you?
Would you like for them to share your cultural background?
What languages should they speak? (Therapy is usually better when we can engage in our first language).
Are there specific concerns that you would like to address in therapy? What are your goals? Expectations?
What is your budget? How often would you like to attend? Does this therapist have the availability?
What are their areas of focus in therapy? What areas would you like your ideal therapist to focus on?
These are all great questions to ask yourself before you start your search as well as while you shop around for someone who is the best fit for you.
Most therapists offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation either by phone or video so that potential clients have to opportunity to speak to the practitioner and ask any questions that they may have. This will be an opportunity for you as the client to ask any questions that you may have for the therapist. It can be helpful to have some questions written down prior to your consultation. Have a pen and paper out during your consultation so that you can easily write down anything that jumps out at you regarding the therapist’s fees, schedule, cancellation policies, etc.
Based on the concerns, expectations, or goals that you share with your therapist in the consult, the therapist will likely share a little more about themselves and the therapeutic approaches that they may take. This will give you an idea of what treatment might look like with this therapist.
Gentle reminder that your free consultation is not therapy. It is an opportunity for you and your therapist to assess whether you’d be a good fit for each other.
A good therapist will be honest with you if they feel like your current concerns are something that is out of their scope of practice. You may ask for some referrals if that is the case. You may also feel like a therapist does not feel like the right fit for you - that’s okay! Don’t be too hard on yourself. It can feel disappointing - but know that by recognizing who may not be a good fit, you are one step closer to finding the right fit!
