How to pick a therapist? Hint: Search more than Calgary Therapist

How to pick a therapist? 

It can be overwhelming when you search for a therapist online and 100s or 1000s of options come up. Here is a guide to help you pick the best match. 

1. Type in specifically what you are looking for. Rather than googling ‘Calgary Counselling’ or Child Counselling Calgary’ Search for exactly what you are looking for, whether it is for big emotions, anxiety, adhd…. add more description to your search. 

2. If you using a specific counselling website to search, they have filters to edit your search down to someone who specializes in the need you use. Here in Alberta, PAA and Psychology today are the largest used psychology and counselling referral pages. 

3. Set up 2-3 free 15 minute consultations. Talk to the therapist and find out what they are like, both on the phone and professionally. Have prepared questions to ask. Here are some good starters: How would you treat _____(anxiety, depression)? How long have you been treating _______. What does a session look like? Do you have availability, or is there a waitlist? Do you bill directly? 

4. Take some time think about who would be the best match. 

Wishing you the best of luck to find a therapist that matches your needs and personality.