Finding The Right Therapist For You

Have you ever noticed that registered psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists do not share testimonials or reviews on their websites or social media accounts?

This is our PSA that it is NOT because they don’t have satisfied clients. It’s because it’s unethical to ask for client testimonials and doing so is actually prohibited by our colleges- the licensing bodies that govern therapists and protect the public.

Testimonials and reviews are usually a great way to figure out if a product or service is worthwhile. So, how can people figure out which therapist to see if there typically aren’t any online reviews of therapists?

While going to therapy has historically been stigmatized, more and more people are willing to share about their therapy experiences so word of mouth can be a great way to find a therapist. (Indeed it’s actually our number 1 source of referrals). So, if you’re comfortable to open up to friends, you may be surprised that they will open up to you with recommendations.

Asking your family doctor or other health professional is another great way to find a therapist. They may have working relationships with therapists or they may have heard recommendations from other patients of theirs. (This is our second biggest referral source.)

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before starting therapy. Most therapists will offer a complimentary intro call in order for you to ask questions and to make sure it feels like a good fit on both sides. (We offer this regularly.)

Once you have started with your therapist, trust yourself. Therapy can be challenging at times, but the relationship with your therapist should continue to feel good and safe. You should feel listened to, valued, and respected and you should also feel confidence and trust in your therapist’s approach and judgement.

If it’s not the right fit for you, we encourage you to share this with your therapist. Perhaps there can be changes in the therapy approach or perhaps you prefer to find a new therapist. You are not responsible for your therapist’s feelings. Your first priority and your therapist’s first priority should be getting you the right help for you.

Finding a therapist is easy, but finding the right therapist can be very hard. We strive to streamline the process for our incoming clients so they can find the best therapist for them, whether they are coping with fertility challenges, adjusting to postpartum, grieving a loss, or working on relationships.

At The Well Parents Centre, we also have the ability to help match clients with the most appropriate therapist on our team based on provider type, availability, therapy approach and even lived experience and personality factors.

To learn more or to get in touch, check out www.wellparentscentre.com