Cost and insurance coverage belong on the list too, and they are easier to sort out than many people assume.
Choose a therapist by checking three things in this order: that they are registered to practise, that their training matches what you want help with, and that you feel comfortable enough with them to be honest. That last one matters more than most people expect. The working relationship between client and therapist is one of the most consistent predictors of whether therapy helps.
Cost and insurance coverage belong on the list too, and they are easier to sort out than many people assume.
In Alberta, "psychologist" is a protected title. Only people registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists can use it, and the College keeps a public register you can search by name. Registered provisional psychologists are registered with the same College and practise under the supervision of a registered psychologist while they complete their licensing requirements. Social workers are registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
"Counsellor" and "therapist" are not protected titles in Alberta, so anyone can use them. That does not make a counsellor less skilled. It means you should ask what sits behind the title. A Canadian Certified Counsellor, for example, holds a master's degree in counselling or a related field and is certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Most therapists can help with stress, low mood and life transitions. Some concerns benefit from specific training:
It is reasonable to ask directly: how much of your work is with people dealing with this, and what approach would you use?
A therapist you cannot get to is not a good fit. Before you book, consider:
That last point catches people. Some plans cover registered psychologists only. Others also cover provisional psychologists, social workers or counsellors. A quick call to your insurer, or to the clinic, answers it.
Many therapists offer a short free call before the first session. Use it. Questions worth asking:
Pay attention to how you feel afterwards as much as to the answers. You are looking for someone who listens without judgment, explains how they work in plain language and makes it easy to ask questions.
A few things suggest a poor fit, or poor practice:
If a few sessions in it does not feel right, say so. A good therapist will not take it personally and will often help you find someone better suited. Changing therapists is not a failure. It is part of finding help that works for you.
If sorting through profiles feels like one task too many, call us at 1-888-622-8350. We ask a few questions about what is going on and pair you with a clinician in our Calgary, Red Deer or Cold Lake clinic, or online, whose training fits. No referral is needed, and all of our therapists offer a free 15-minute connection call. You can also browse our teams in Calgary, Red Deer and Cold Lake.
We offer direct billing to many insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield, Medavie Blue Cross and NIHB, so you pay only the part your plan does not cover. Tell us your insurer when you call and we will check which of our clinicians your plan covers. See direct billing and insurance for the full list.
