Transcript:
So how do you pick a therapist? There are a lot of things to take into consideration, but we've narrowed it down to a couple just so you don't get overwhelmed. So some of the main things that you want to look at are culture responsiveness, expertise and specialization, and insurance coverage.
On that note, here are some questions you might want to ask:
Have you worked with people like me before? This will give you an idea of the therapist's experience and their level of comfort when dealing with your concern.
Can you tell me a little bit more about your training and experience? This is a great opportunity to learn more about the approach they use and what to expect in sessions. This is particular helpful if you are new to counselling.
What are your thoughts on intersectionality in therapy? This is where cultural responsiveness comes in. Working with diverse population requires an awareness of intersectionality.
Are you comfortable talking about privilege, racism and anti-blackness? The reason cultural responsiveness is so important is because if the therapist does not have an anti-oppressive or anti- racist lens, it can cause harm to the client and repeat toxic or traumatic narratives.
Are you supervised by a psychologist for insurance coverage purposes? Many people don’t realize that their health plans include coverage to see a therapist. If you do have coverage, call your insurance company to inquire about the conditions. Most insurance companies require a psychotherapist to be supervised by a psychologist in order to cover the session.
If you don’t have coverage, then make sure to ask about the fees and if they have a sliding scale. Ideally therapy would be more accessible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many therapists do have a sliding scale, so make sure to ask about it.
How do you insure confidentiality when using virtual services? This was very important to us, and this is why we went with the OWL platform. Early on we realized that many platforms were ambiguous about their confidentiality or compliance with the Health Act. You might want to ask about the platform being used, and the therapist's physical location.
With TherapyOwl (www.therapyowl.ca) you can filter therapists based on your needs. With a tailored list, you can browse listings to learn more about each therapist. When you find one you like, you can contact them to ask questions or book your first appointment in a few easy clicks.
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