Finding The Right Mental Health Professional For You

Seeking a mental health practitioner, especially one who fulfills your needs, can be difficult. Therefore, setting up some time to plan out the process is important. However, merely finding a mental health expert isn’t enough; you need to consider your needs throughout the planning process such as the intensity of your symptoms, your medication needs, the sort of therapist, and the type of therapy that would be ideal for you.

Keep in mind that it’s equally vital to determine if your potential health professional is looking out for your best interests. The following are the top three mental health professionals who can provide psychotherapy.

1. Registered psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy intended to help individuals improve their mental health and well-being. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behavior, and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviors that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships, and the ability to enjoy life.

Psychotherapists have completed a program substantially equivalent to a master’s level of training in psychotherapy and are a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario(CRPO). Psychotherapists work with specific psychological symptoms and disorders but do not diagnose or prescribe medication. Their services are currently not covered by OHIP but may be covered by private insurance policies.

2. Registered social worker
If you prefer a social worker, look for a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed independent clinical social worker with training and experience specifically in mental health. A licensed clinical social worker must have a master’s degree in social work, and some have a doctorate in social work (DSW or Ph.D.)

3. Registered psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Qualifying therapists have not yet completed all the requirements to become registered psychotherapists. They may still be in school or have graduated but are working to meet all the requirements of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. They are often less experienced in providing psychotherapy, but the experience is just one factor in a therapist’s ability to work successfully with clients. Every therapist, whether just starting out or close to retirement, has a unique life experience and set of personal qualities that they bring to the therapeutic relationship with the client. A qualifying therapist who connects with the client will work better than a registered psychotherapist with more experience but who doesn’t connect as well with the client. When choosing a therapist, you should first consider the person and the relationship, and not just the credentials.

You’ve selected a mental health professional. So, what’s next?
Spend a few minutes talking with the mental health professional and inquire about their method of working with clients, their philosophy, and whether or not they have a specialty or focus. If you feel comfortable talking to them, the next step is to make an appointment.

If you’re looking for psychotherapists in Ontario, reach out to C2C Psychotherapy & Counselling. We are a mental health organization offering culturally sensitive psychotherapy and services to clients from diverse backgrounds. The organization and its members have a passionate interest in offering psychotherapy services to individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and demographics, including immigrants, students, parents, couples, and professionals.

Our services include individual psychotherapy and counselling, couples psychotherapy and counselling, family psychotherapy and counselling, group counselling sessions, mental health awareness webinars, training, and development.

To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here.