How to Find a Psychologist
When looking for a psychologist, it's not always an easy task and at times it can be challenging or discouraging - especially if you’re looking through websites like https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca. Sometimes you find the right psychologist on the first attempt. Other times, it's like trying to find a hairdresser – you might have to go through three or four before you find the perfect fit!
At Center Street Psychology, we think it’s fundamental to find a psychologist that is confident in their field of practice, you can be comfortable with your therapist, and provides a high level of quality care.
Our therapists are trained and competent to provide multiple modalities and who is trained with multiple interventions such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Psychodynamic Therapy (PT); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); Gottman for Couples which also includes marriage preparation; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Hypnosis, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), play therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and The Grief Recovery Method ®. We also can provide coverage under the NIHB program. All psychologists at Center Street Psychology work with a variety of insurance companies including WCB, Canada Life, Intact, or ASEBP and direct bill other insurance providers. We want any potential client to be curious and welcome any questions about services, direct billing, and what to expect within the therapeutic process.
Here are six ways to help find yourself a psychologist that you might connect with:
Use your network - We have people within our own circle of family, friends, and colleagues, that might be able to provide a name of a psychologist that they highly recommend and the reasons why they connect. As well, many insurance companies will be able to provide you with referral names. You can also chat with people you trust and know through extracurricular activities, your medical doctor (who might be able to make a referral) or even your hairdresser – you never know who might be able to provide you a jumping off point.
Choosing your therapy type - There are many different types of therapy, and there are certain therapies that fit certain mental health concerns better than others. It's okay to ask questions to see if the therapy interventions will align with your goals.
Determine your coverage and your budget – The cost of a therapy is based on the rate set by the provincial association (in Alberta, it is the Psychologists' Association of Alberta – also knows as PAA). Here’s a link: https://psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/members/
Please don’t be shy to ask about the cost of therapy and if your psychologist is able to see you at a sliding scale fee if this is something you require.
Look at their credentials – it can be confusing to determine the difference between a provisional psychologist, registered psychologist, CCC, life coach, and social worker. You can never be too sure about the transparency of information and the honesty behind the information that a person is communicating on their website. An easy way to check is by looking at a therapist’s credentials is by reviewing the College of Alberta Psychologists website: https://www.cap.ab.ca to see if the psychologist is in good standing or on discipline and reinstatement decisions.
Cultural competence - there are a wide array of cultures, sub-cultures, and communities. It’s important to ensure you feel comfortable with the psychologist you choose. This involves assessing a psychologist’s level of cultural competence, beliefs, and awarenesses. A culturally-sensitive psychologist will check in with their clients, assess their worldviews, ask for feedback, and meet you where you’re at.
Expect to try a few different psychologists - sometimes you might find yourself a good fit on the first attempt and other times you might need to meet two or three before finding the right fit for you. It’s important to check in with yourself about how you feel in your psychologists’ presence. Check in with yourself after your therapy appointment to see how things are sitting/feeling for you.
The easiest and most common way to see if you might connect with your future psychologist would be to request a free 15-minute telephone consultation. This is a standard process and recommended way to determine if a potential relationship can develop, as you hear their voice and authenticity. It also provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and gain the information you are looking for.
We hope that you found these resources helpful in navigating how to choose your next or new psychologist. We are here to help you in choosing the psychologist that might be the right fit for you and your needs.
