Shop Around for your Therapy Match
A common question I ask every client when we begin therapy is if they have ever been in therapy before and what they liked or did not like about it. I find it helps me to know where the client is at in terms of therapeutic experience as well as interventions or things to steer clear of.
I believe the absolute foundation to success in therapy is the quality of relationship and trust between a client and therapist. In fact, I remember studying the 'therapeutic alliance' in grad school and they told us that it accounts for 70% of success in therapy! The relationship of trust you and your therapist build is a very important part of the process.
That being said - I know it is not humanly possible to be a match for every person who reaches out to me. Every person is unique - which will obviously translate into the therapy experience. However a client should NEVER feel discriminated against within the therapy space. The therapy space is meant to be safe and free from discrimination. Therapists are bound by very strict ethical codes on this specific issue.
If you or someone you know are shopping around for a therapist, a good place to start is to check out Psychology Today in your city and make sure to read the therapist bios that catch your attention. Depending on the size of your city - there might be LOTS of pages to sort through, so you can even narrow your search by checking off "anxiety" or "CBT"
Here are a few tips for when shopping around for a therapist:
Ask around. Word of mouth is one of the best referral sources
Google them! Most therapists will have a website, blog, or social media platform so that you can "vet" them prior too booking (you can check out our collective of therapist profiles here!)
Make a list of why you want to go to therapy and arrange a phone or email consultation prior to book to see if it will be a good match
Check their hourly rate and make sure it fits your budget.
Sliding Scale - some therapists will offer a sliding scale and it is great to chat about that with them. Talking about money and fees can be a little uncomfortable for some, but it is an important conversation to have so that you and your therapist can determine how many sessions you will have with them.
Explore what types of therapy they offer
Determine your budget/level of investment. Some therapy services are also considered a medical expense by the CRA so do your research and save those receipts if you don't have coverage.
Check with your insurance - often insurance will provide a list of approved providers or let you know what type of designation to look for when choosing a therapist.
Remember, if you choose someone and it's not a good match for you - you are always free to choose someone else! Not everyone will be a match - and that's okay :)
Hopefully these tips will help you to find the right match for you.
