Are you ready to start therapy but not quite sure how the process works? Or how to go about finding a therapist? If so, this is the post for you.
First- you are not alone. It is not a clearly laid out process and a lot of people don't quite know where to start. Which is why I thought it was so important that I write this.
If you are looking for traditional talk therapy you will might want to seek out a psychotherapist or a counselor. You can find a directory of registered psychotherapists on the CRPO website : https://crpo.ca.thentiacloud.net/webs/crpo/register/
Or if you think counseling might be a better approach for you, you can visit : https://www.ocswssw.org/applicants/social-worker/ to find registered social worker.
Some people are looking for a different kind of intervention such as expressive arts therapy, art therapy or somatic experiencing therapy. This is when it might be a good idea to check out a site like: https://affordabletherapynetwork.com/
This website offers a diverse range of practitioners and most offer their services at a significantly lower cost.
You can also check out https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists
What I like about psychology today is how specific you can make your search. For example, you type in your city or area. It will pull up all the available therapists in that area. But then you can go on to select; non-binary or 2SLGBTQ. Or if you are specifically looking for an Indigenous Therapist you can narrow the search to show you only Indigenous practitioners. It also allows you to select which type of therapy you would like to receive.
A few suggestions....
So many practitioners offer a free consultation. It's a good idea to book a few free consultations. Meeting with different professionals helps you get a clearer sense of who is going to be the best fit for you in your healing journey. And this is SO important!
If you are someone who can not afford to pay for therapy services out of pocket you will want to look into how much is covered by your insurance program and if there are specific requirements that need to be met in order to qualify. For example, most insurance companies require a license, not a certification. This is something you will want to clarify with your therapist if you plan to go through your insurance.
Take sometime before the first meeting to think about any questions you have for the therapist, it's a great idea to write them down. It can be nerve wracking meeting with a potential therapist for the first time. You want to leave the appointment feeling like you have asked all the questions you were curious about.
So there you go a few resources to get you started on your journey. I hope this was helpful. No one should have to navigate their mental health struggles alone. I hope you find the support you need and absolutely deserve.
take good care of you!
