What to look for when choosing a Therapist: Tips from a Calgary Psychologist

My name is Alina Rokhman and I am a Psychologist in Calgary, Alberta. Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing a therapist. I hope you find this helpful!

We have all been there. We want to go to therapy, but where do we even start?

How do we find the right fit? What do we even look for?

Here are some important questions and considerations that may help you in your search in finding the best therapist for you!

• What is the population they work with? Do you fit within that?

• What are the issues they specialize in? Does this capture your reason(s) for coming to therapy? 

• What credentials do they have? Are they registered with a professional body?

• Will your insurance cover them? 

• How long have they been practicing? What training have they completed? 

• Have they worked with clients like you before successfully?

• Do they seem like someone you can connect with? When you check out their socials, website, bio, etc. do you connect with what they are putting out into the world?

• Do they seem authentic and genuine, without a power imbalance? Do they own the fact that they are also human? Maybe they even use humour!!

• Is their office convenient to get to? What’s the parking situation like? 

• What are their hours of operation?

• How far out do they book? Do they have a waitlist? 

• Do they offer free phone consultations?

And why is this so important?

The research shows that the fit between client and therapist is one of the most important and influential aspects that leads to therapeutic success and positive outcomes in therapy. We want this to work for you! AND please don’t get discouraged if it hasn’t - your best match is out there!