How to Choose the Right Calgary Therapist?
Among the most important steps you will take in your journey to improving your mental health and wellness is selecting the right therapist. Building a strong connection with a therapist can be immensely rewarding as it can create a space where you feel heard, respected and seen. In this 3 part series, we recommend the steps to take to help you choose the right therapist for you, as a good fit can translate to benefits both in and outside of session.
Not connecting with the right therapist can lead to a disappointing treatment experience, which can be discouraging—especially for those who already find it challenging to seek help.
In an effort to try to make the process of finding a Calgary therapist less overwhelming and more effective, we have provided guided steps to assist you in your efforts. Even with these steps, finding a professional will require footwork on your part, but finding the right professional to work with can be life changing – literally.
Understanding Your Needs
The first step in finding the right therapist has little to do with the professional, and everything to do with you and the reasons you are seeking therapy. It might sound simple, but this isn’t always easy. When we do consult calls, it is common that the person struggles to name what is wrong and what they want to work on. Sometimes people will feel overwhelmed and will say that they need to work on “everything” while others will say, “I don’t know what I want to change… I just want my life to be better.”
To help you refine your goals, we have provided reflective questions which can help. We encourage you to write out your responses to each question and keep this document with you in your search for the right therapist.
What challenges are you struggling with?
What areas of your life do these challenges show up? (example: work? family? romantic relationships?)
Are you having difficulties with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, a life transition or relationships?
What are your goals for therapy?
Are they specific or more general?
Examples of specific goals include: “I want to overcome anxiety so that I can do better presentations at work or speak at my brother’s wedding”
Examples of more general goals would be: “I want to work on developing a more meaningful life or work to improve my marriage.”
Have you worked with a Calgary therapist before? If so, what was helpful or not so helpful about their approach?
Recognizing the ‘why’ in your search can help you focus on professionals who specialize in those areas. For instance, someone dealing with trauma might benefit from a therapist trained in trauma-focused therapies, while someone experiencing relationship issues may want to work with a therapist that specializes in marriage and family therapy.
Knowing your concerns and goals can also be helpful when you are completing consultation calls with potential professionals so that you ask them questions about their therapeutic approach and their expertise in these areas.
Once you have done some of this personal reflection, you will be ready to take the next steps which we address in part two of our blog post series on how to choose the right Calgary therapist.
