Your First Time Seeing A Therapist
The first time you consider accessing therapy, it might seem scary, but remember: therapists are professionals at this - they have seen all sorts of clients over years of practice and are specifically trained for every possible scenario, including welcoming clients who know nothing about therapy.
However, for those who are still uncertain about therapy, consider the following:
Therapists ARE:
- Skilled professionals who have obtained education in the field of counselling psychology and mental health therapy;
- Varied in credentials - they can be clinical psychologists, school counselors, clinical therapists, psychiatrists, art therapists, social workers, or other professionals;
- Varied in professional capacity - some may have additional training to perform professional diagnostic assessments, while others may not;
- Unique from therapist to therapist - just like doctors, one might be a better fit for you than another;
- Likely going to challenge some of your thought processes. Change is often necessary for improvement, so do not be surprised if a therapist suggests a harsh truth or encourages you to try a new approach to your situation;
- On your side - at the end of the day, the client in front of them is the person they are serving. Even if it might sometimes seem otherwise, give it time and you will often see that they had your best interest at heart all along.
Therapists ARE NOT:
- Looking to label you;
- Interested in judging you as a person;
- What you see on TV or in movies. Media often portrays therapists incorrectly;
- Allowed to share anything you disclose in therapy (unless they have reason to believe you may cause harm to yourself or someone else);
- Your friend, in the traditional sense - therapists do care for their clients, but the therapist-client relationship is a professional one that does not extend beyond clinical practice;
- Life-skills educators - they are not going to lecture you on how to be an adult or tell you how to live your life;
- All-knowing beings who have all of the answers to life's questions;
- Always "gentle" - therapists range from extremely calming and almost motherly, to very clinical with apathetic demeanors. Neither end of the spectrum is better than the other - it is just a matter of what works best for the client. You might decide that one therapist's approach just does not work for you, and that is okay. Rarely do people find their favourite therapist on the first try. Therapists know this and will not be offended if you inform them you would like to find a better fit.
A Note About Safety:
With all of the above said, it is often helpful to think of therapists as akin to your regular family physician. Like family physicians, therapists must abide by ethical rules and standards of practice, all of which are regulated by regulatory institutions. So, your therapist - like your doctor - might tell you a harsh truth or encourage you try something outside of your comfort zone (like public speaking or exercise), but that does not make abusive language or abusive actions acceptable. Always remember that you have rights as a client, so make a point of looking up your rights or even asking your therapist for a hardcopy of them. And at the end of the day, you have the right to leave any therapy session at any time, just like at the doctor's office.
Finding A Therapist
Once you have decided you would like to find a therapist, here are the general steps to get started:
- Decide what your budget is like: would you like to see a private therapist (paid by you) or a public therapist (paid by public healthcare or non-profit service)
- If you have chosen to see a public therapist, you will likely require a referral from your family doctor. In this case, make an appointment with your doctor to ask for a referral to a public therapist, and you will likely have to wait for a call from the therapist's office to book an initial consultation (sometimes called "intake"). If you have chosen to see a private therapist, research therapists online, and phone or email them to request an initial consultation.
- Prepare for the initial consultation (aka "intake"). An initial consultation is the first one or two appointments with your therapist so you can get to know each other and decide if you would be a good fit for each other. The therapist will likely have you fill out some forms so they can know your medical history, so bring a list of any medications you may be taking and the contact information of your family doctor and psychiatrist (if you have one). Also prepare any questions you have for your therapist, such as: "what is your approach to therapy?" "how often will we meet?" "how long do sessions last?" "what are your specialties?" [if private therapist] "do you offer a sliding scale?"
- Attend the initial consultation/intake. You might want to bring a notebook in case you want to take notes, but it is often unnecessary. At the end of the appointment, you may have to book a second consultation/intake to finish the process. Otherwise, your therapist will ask if you would like to start therapy with them or if you would like to take time to decide and get back to them later. It is often best to take at least a few days to decide if this therapist is the right fit for you.
- Book your first therapy appointment. If you have decided to try seeing the therapist after the initial consultation/intake, contact their office to book your first appointment!
Whatever your therapy journey may be, remain proud that you are taking steps to maintaining your mental wellness.