A clinical counsellor offers counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Whether you’re experiencing relationship difficulties, struggling with anxiety or depression, or dealing with a life transition, a clinical counsellor can help. In other words, this mental health expert can provide the support, guidance, and tools you need to cope. You can talk to them when you need someone to lend a professional, unbiased ear.
Choosing a clinical counsellor needs to be done with utmost care because the success of therapy or counselling sessions depends, to a large extent, on the rapport that you share with your counsellor. While various counselling Vancouver options are available, it can be overwhelming to identify the best one.
To help you get started, here are some tips.
1. Check their license and credentials
In Vancouver the title “clinical counsellor” is not legally protected, and this is why it’s important to see a therapist or has Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) designation. These professionals must have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical training standards from an accredited institution. The registration guarantees that the counsellor met the necessary academic requirements and is qualified to provide counselling services.
Furthermore, a registered clinical counsellor in Vancouver pertains to a mental health expert who received the education and training required by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The organization upholds a strict code of ethics and sets high clinical standards that its members must follow. That means their peers have vetted the competence of your potential counsellor.
Having these excellent qualities ensures that you’re getting quality counselling services, giving you a better chance of meeting your therapy goals.
2. Verify the counsellor’s experience
It’s no secret that experience is essential in every field. The same goes for clinical counsellors. The more years they’ve been in the counseling field, the more likely they have a solid understanding of their clients’ different challenges. To sum it up, an experienced counsellor has more in-depth knowledge of handling various mental health conditions.
When checking a counsellor’s experience, pay attention to the following:
- The number of years they’ve been practicing
- Types of clients they see regularly
- Success rate
Verifying these factors will give you an idea of the counsellor’s capabilities. It’s best to choose someone who has extensive experience supporting issues similar to yours. That way, you can be confident that they know how to address your concerns and are focused on providing you with the best care possible.
3. Consider their counselling techniques
Every clinical counsellor is unique in their approach and techniques. Some use traditional talk therapy, while others combine different methods to tailor their services according to their client’s needs. The important thing is that the counsellor’s practices are evidence-based and backed by research. After all, you want to make sure that the therapy sessions are productive and helpful.
The best way to know which technique is right for you is to schedule an initial consultation with your potential counsellor. During this meeting, you can ask about their methods and feel their counselling style. Whether it’s cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), or something else, ensure you’re comfortable with the counsellor’s approach before making a decision.
Aside from CBT, here are some other counselling techniques and approaches you may want to consider:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IT)
- Adlerian therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- EMDR
Knowing about their approach will give you a better idea of whether or not they’re a good fit for you.
4. Don’t forget the service fee structure
Service cost is probably one of the first things you’ll think about when searching for a clinical counsellor. After all, you want to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. When it comes to service fees, there are three common billing structures:
- Per session fee: As the name suggests, you’ll be charged per counselling session. This fee structure is the most common type.
- Package fee: You’ll be charged a lump sum for several sessions. This option is ideal if you want to commit to long-term counselling but very few therapists provide it.
Knowing these fee structures will help you select a clinical counsellor that suits your budget. The most important thing is getting the help and support you need.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to choose a clinical counsellor, it’s time to start your search. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to finding the best professional to help you achieve your counselling goals.
