8 Guidelines to Consider When Choosing a Therapist

Counselling and Therapy in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo

Jul 10

You've made the important decision to seek therapy. Good for you! Investing in mental health support is one of the best choices you can make for strengthening your emotional well-being.

But how do you choose the right mental health professional for your specific needs? At Boreal Therapy Collective, we have therapists with years of experience supporting children, teens, adults, and families throughout Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo. We know that finding a therapist can be very confusing and want to help however we can!

With that in mind, when choosing a therapist, here are some of our best tips to keep in mind.

How to Choose a Therapist

First things first - there isn't a perfect formula for choosing a therapist. Everyone has different needs, and sometimes finding the right provider can mirror that of a trial-and-error process.

Research shows that, regardless of what you intend to address in therapy, the therapeutic relationship is one of the most reliable predictors of treatment success. Feeling safe and supported by your therapist is paramount. Here are some preliminary steps you may consider taking in advance.

Consider Your Personal Preferences

Many clients have preferences when it comes to their therapist's age, gender, culture, or even lived experiences. You have a right to these preferences, and meeting with someone aligned with your intentions can help you feel more comfortable and build rapport faster.

Many therapists (although not all) are comfortable disclosing some of these details about their life. If you know you want to work with a provider who matches certain preferences, you can ask them your questions directly.

Learn About Different Therapy Approaches

Every therapist intervenes differently with their clients. While it isn't necessary for you to dive deep into clinical theory, it can be helpful to learn some of the different models therapists use in their sessions.

For example, if you want to process some of the issues in your past, you may gravitate toward a professional with a more psychodynamic approach. If you want coping skills that can help you change negative thinking patterns, CBT might be a good fit. Clients seeking family therapy may value working with a structural family therapist who can help them strengthen boundaries and learn healthy communication.

If you know you have a specific mental health condition, it may be helpful to consider some of the main approaches used to treat those symptoms. For example, exposure therapy is often recommended for OCD. CBT or EMDR can treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Understanding a Therapist’s Credentials

If you feel overwhelmed by therapists and their credentials, you're not alone. Here's a quick guide to understanding the key similarities and differences.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has advanced medical training in mental health treatment. They can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. Psychiatrists prescribe psychotropic medication to treat mental health conditions. Psychiatrists often do not offer therapy (many people confuse psychiatrists with registered psychologists).

Registered Psychologist: A registered psychologist (R. Psych.) can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions through counselling and therapy. Many also provide psychological testing. Registered psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Registered Clinical Social Worker: A registered clinical social worker (RCSW) can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions through counselling and therapy. Many also provide extended clinical support services to individuals and families. Registered clinical social workers cannot prescribe medication.

Registered Social Worker: Some registered social workers (RSW) can assess and treat mental health conditions through counselling and therapy. Many also provide extended clinical support services to individuals and families. Registered social workers can provisionally diagnose a mental health condition (the diagnosis will need to be confirmed by a psychiatrist, registered clinical social worker, or registered psychologist). They cannot prescribe medication. Because social work is a diverse profession, not all registered social workers provide counselling and therapy. If selecting a registered social worker as your therapist, make sure the social worker has the authorization to perform the restricted activity of psychosocial intervention.

Canadian Certified Counsellor: A Canadian certified counsellor (CCC) holds a minimum of a master degree in counselling or a related field. Canadian certified counsellors offer counselling and therapy. They cannot diagnose mental health conditions, nor can they prescribe medication.

Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor: A Canadian certified addiction counsellor (CCAC) holds a minimum of a diploma in addiction counselling or a related field. They cannot offer therapy, diagnose mental health conditions, or prescribe medication.

Registered Professional Counsellor: A registered professional counsellor (RPC) holds a certification, diploma, or degree in counselling or a related field. Registered professional counsellors offer counselling and therapy. They cannot diagnose mental health conditions, nor can they prescribe medication.

Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling: A master practitioner in clinical counselling (MPCC) holds a certification, diploma, or degree in counselling or a related field. This is an advanced designation for registered professional counsellors and can only be obtained after having worked in the field for a minimum of five of the last eight years. A master practitioner in clinical counselling offers counselling and therapy. They cannot diagnose mental health conditions, nor can they prescribe medication.

Therapist Credentials & The Health Professions Act

Alberta’s Health Professions Act was created to identify registered health professionals. Each profession listed under the Health Professions Act has a protected title that can only be utilized by those who have undergone the education, training, and registration processes required by the profession’s regulatory body. For example, registered social worker (RSW) is a protected title. Those using it must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). The ACSW ensures that it only gives the RSW title to those who have completed the necessary training and education.

In Alberta, registered psychologist and registered clinical social worker are also protected titles. Protected titles offer the public assurance that the professional remains relevant in their profession and can be reported and held accountable for malpractice. For a list of registered social workers and registered clinical social workers in Alberta, click here. For a list of registered psychologists, click here.

Unfortunately, Canadian certified counsellors, Canadian certified addiction counsellors, registered professional counsellors, and master practitioners in clinical counselling are not recognized by Alberta’s Health Professions Act and are not protected titles. However, each of these designations does have its own unique reporting structure, including provisions for certification and discipline.

Does My Therapist Need to Have a Protected Title?

No, you do not need to select a therapist with a protected title. However, we strongly discourage you from connecting with a therapist with no professional affiliation. You should always be able to ask your therapist about their credentials, training, and education. You should be able to request proof of these qualifications in the absence of a regulatory body that will verify them. Look elsewhere if the person you are considering is evasive and unwilling to answer your questions or provide proof of their qualifications.

Evaluate Your Finances

It's important to consider the cost of therapy before beginning treatment. Therapy is a significant investment, but it shouldn't jeopardize your financial well-being.

If you choose to work with a mental health therapist in private practice, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200-$240 per session. However, many benefit providers cover some or all of treatment. If you're unsure of your benefit coverage, consult with your benefit plan administrator before beginning therapy.

In Alberta, many benefit providers only offer coverage for therapists with protected titles (registered psychologist, registered clinical social worker, and registered social worker). Few benefit providers offer coverage for Canadian certified counsellors, Canadian certified addiction counsellors, registered professional counsellors, and master practitioners in clinical counselling. If you are relying on your benefit provider for coverage, this is important to keep in mind.

If finances are a concern, there are provincially funded and non-profit community mental health clinics offer therapy for free. Check out our resources page here for a comprehensive list of both public and private therapy options.

Schedule Consultations

Most therapists offer brief, complimentary consultations to prospective clients. These consultations give you both a chance to get to know one another.

The therapist will ask about your life and discuss your desired therapy goals. You'll also have the opportunity to ask them any questions about their practice or the therapy process itself.

A consultation isn't a therapy session. But ideally, it should give you a sense of your therapist's personality and approach to treatment, which should help you decide if you want to move forward.

Commit to 2-3 Therapy Sessions

You may feel like you're working with the right therapist immediately. Other times, it may take a while to warm up or feel comfortable in sessions. This range of reactions is normal, and that's why it's a good idea to commit to at least a few sessions before making an executive decision.

Remember that it's okay to end therapy or switch therapists at any point during your treatment. If something feels seriously wrong - or you just don't feel like the relationship is a good match - you always have the autonomy to move on.

Individual and Family Therapy in Fort McMurray

If you're struggling with your mental health or want more support working through a specific issue, connecting with the right therapist can be a transformative experience.

We recognize that looking for a therapist can feel overwhelming. But many people find that it's worth the time and effort.

At Boreal Therapy Collective, we specialize in helping children, teens, adults, and families overcome anxiety, depression, anger, self-harm, and so much more. Whether it be cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, family therapy, or play-based therapy, we are confident in our ability to support the people of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo through in-person or virtual therapy. We promote social justice, inclusivity, and kindness, and these principles transcend everything we do.