How to find a counsellor
Are you curious about starting the counselling process but you are feeling overwhelmed with how to find one? You are not alone! Counselling is becoming more accessible with an influx of counselling professionals, which can make sifting through to find a good fit a little overwhelming. Being spoiled for choice is maybe a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless. It’s like being at a restaurant with a 60 page menu - most of those dishes are not going to be to your taste, but a few will probably hit the spot. One or two of those options might even be nearly perfect for you. Okay, you get it... So where do you start when trying to find a new therapist?
I think so much of what I am going to say in this blog post is going to sound linear, but it isn’t always. Start with what you know is important to you and go from there.
What’s the difference between all these letters?
If you have benefits (yay!), then understanding the difference between designations and titles may be a good place to start. Where I am based out of here in British Columbia, the big ones are Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Registered Social Worker (RSW) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). These are the most common designations you will come across in BC, though they are not the only ones! Just to complicate things a bit we also have Registered Psychologists (R. Psych.) and psychiatrists, which are mental health professionals who are often more involved in assessing and diagnosing mental health disorders and psychiatrists are medical doctors who can also prescribe medications. Different benefits providers sometimes cover specific designations, so it might be worth it to check before booking that session.
Aside from coverage, counsellors of varying designations (RCC vs RSW vs CCC) tend to offer the same services. It is the additional training that makes more of a difference here. If you are seeking a specific type of counselling - like EMDR (a type of trauma therapy) or CBT, take a look at counsellor bios or ask about their trainings before booking a session.
On that note, one important thing to check is education. Here in BC, the term “counsellor” is not protected, which means anyone can sell a counselling service. This is a problem, and a real bummer that the onus lands on you, the person looking for a counsellor, rather than on a regulatory body. We are hopeful this will change soon, but for now when you are combing through websites and bios, check that the therapist has at least a Masters level education. This is important because counselling can be vulnerable, and you deserve to be treated with the utmost care from someone who has dedicated time to becoming an ethical and effective therapist.
Where to look and who to ask
Do you have any friends who love their therapist? Ask them if they would be happy to share their name. Or maybe you want your very own therapist who isn’t seeing your friend, one option is to ask your friend to ask their therapist for some recommendations. Networking can be a really great way to start getting some names!
Online registries can be another great resource. Psychology Today is one of the more popular ones, but there are many. The biggest upside of using the internet to help you is that you can type in specific things you are looking for - like therapists who work with anxiety, or use a certain type of therapy. The downside of online registries is that they have thousands (!!) of counsellors on them, so it can feel daunting to sift through. Try not to let that dissuade you too much and book a consult or two with therapists you are intrigued by.
Who will be a fit for me?
Consider what it is that you want to work through in counselling. Are you someone who experiences depression? Anxiety? Do you have a history of complex trauma and it’s impacting your life and relationships? Maybe you have just started a new job and want to talk about ways to prevent burnout, or you want to explore questions you have about your gender or sexuality. Is there a specific counselling modality you want to try? Are you hoping to see a therapist who can relate to being an immigrant or a parent or a queer person? Okay, I’ve overloaded you with questions, but these are a few things that might matter to you.
Next, you might want to consider a few other logistics, like if you want to see a counsellor virtually, in-person, or a combination of the two. If you are someone who prefers seeing a therapist in the flesh, you might consider where their office is located and what hours they work. For some, this is the most work-around-able aspect when finding a new counsellor, but it might be worth considering.
The final step is picking a therapist that feels like a good fit for you. Just like you, counsellors are all unique. Research has shown time and time again that the most important aspect of effective therapy is a good therapeutic alliance according to you, the client. Looking through what a counsellor specializes in or how they work is important, but means nothing if you don’t feel safe opening up to them about the most vulnerable aspects of your life. Safety is built over time in relationships, but starting by reading their website, or chatting in a consult or over email can be a good start to see how you feel connecting with them.
Phew! Now what?
In weaving all of these pieces of (potentially overwhelming!) information together, the last thing I’d say is to be flexible where you can and trust your gut! Have you found a counsellor who you really connect to, but they don’t tick every box on your ideal therapist list? Sometimes lists are really important, and sometimes they help us avoid doing something vulnerable. Reflect on that for yourself, and see if there is wiggle room! You might have some non-negotiables - that can be a good thing, but maybe connecting with a counsellor is more meaningful than the attributes they bring on paper. Phone consults can be a really great place to start here.
Finding a counsellor can be hard, but so rewarding when you find someone who is a good fit for you. I hope you find these tips helpful in your search! You deserve to find a therapist who makes you feel safe, heard, and compassionately holds you accountable in counselling sessions.
