Choosing a Psychotherapist

With so many options out there for psychotherapists / coaches / counsellors, it can be difficult to choose one that is right for you! Some things you might want to consider in your decision are^1,2:

Her qualifications (including ongoing professional development)
What will sessions with him be like?
Her fee
Does the therapist seem to be a warm and genuine person, with sincere concern about you? Does she show empathy and understanding?
Can he appreciate your point of view and values?
What is the therapist’s approach?
Do you find yourself feeling intimidated by fancy language, jargon, and extraordinary claims, or does the therapist exude a sense of natural confidence that makes you feel at ease in her presence?
And, do you LIKE him or her? Rapport between therapist/coach and client is very important to the success of therapy/coaching, so this is a very important question to consider.

Also, location can be an important factor as well—will it be convenient for you to travel to this person’s office on a regular basis?

Finally, some things you might want to avoid include¹:

Someone who doesn’t answer your questions clearly/to your satisfaction.
Someone who “guarantees” you success.
Signing contracts with fixed obligations.

I hope this short post has been helpful to you! If you’d like to discuss any of the above with me, to see if I might be a good fit for you, please feel free to contact me for a free initial telephone consultation.

Note that this post is not psychotherapy / counselling; please contact me or another professional if you require these services. If you need urgent support, consider Toronto Distress Centres at 416.408.4357. If you need immediate help, call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room. Note this post is for information only, does not imply that a professional relationship has been established with readers, is not advice, and does not imply intent to provide professional services to readers. Intended audience: Current adult residents of the Canadian province of Ontario only.

¹Canadian Mental Health Association/Heart & Stroke Foundation, 2009
²Weiten, McCann, 2007