Finding The Right Therapist For You

Finding the right therapist for you can at times feel like a daunting task. Here are some pointers on how to get started.

Research tells us that the relationship between client and counsellor is one of the greatest predictors of success in therapy. So just like dating, it is important to take the time to find someone you click with.

The Basics

• Does this counsellor have experience working with people like me or with the challenges I am facing?

• Does this counsellor use modalities that I think would be well suited for me?

• Do I get the sense that I would feel accepted, understood, and supported by this counsellor?

The Vibes

• Does it feel like I could trust this counsellor? Is there a sense of comfort or ease when speaking to them?

• Is there a personality match? Do they feel like someone I would get along with?

• Does the counsellor bring the energy I am looking for (ex. Someone who is kind and compassionate, someone who is gentle, someone who has more of a coaching demeanour who might push me, someone who feels genuine)? 

• Do I feel I could genuinely myself with them? 

The Logistics

• Is my counsellor adequately qualified? (ex. has an appropriate designation such as RCC or CCC, guaranteeing appropriate education and training)

• Does the location/timing of appointments work for me? 

• Is this counsellor within my price range? 

The Most Important Pieces

• Don’t settle. Therapy is a significant time, emotional, and financial commitment, make sure you find a therapist that feels right for you. 

• Always trust your gut.

The Initial Consult

Finding the right fit with your therapist is often the greatest predictor of success in therapy. Let’s make sure we get you there.

We offer a complimentary 10-15 minute phone call so that we can get to know one another. Here is what you can expect:

• During the call we will cover three topics:

  • Why counselling is feeling like the right fit for you at this time.

  • Time for you to ask about your therapist’s approach to counselling or the counselling process in general.

  • Next steps, whether this is booking a session or finding you the right referral.

We want you to feel great about your decision to invest your time and resources at Kits Counselling. If it doesn’t feel like the best fit for you, no worries, we will work with you to find some other referrals because helping you to get the support you need is our first priority.

Any questions? Feel free to reach out to us at erin@kits-counselling.com.

Preparing For The First Session

The first session can undoubtedly bring nerves, and hopefully some excitement. Here’s a few tips to guide you as you enter into counselling.

1. Make your appointment. You have already made a huge step in deciding to come to counselling, finding a counsellor that you are interested in working with, and now it is time to book your appointment. This is no small feat!

2. Get directions. Take a couple moments to figure out your commute to your appointment so you have less to worry about on the day-of! Don’t worry, once you are booked in we will send you our Arrival Guide to make your journey is as easy as possible.

3. Give yourself some extra time. Getting to your first appointment can often be the hardest part; giving yourself an extra 10 minutes to navigate through the commute can help to lower stress levels and make the whole experience a bit more pleasant for you!

   If possible, give yourself 10 minutes to decompress after your first session. You might want to grab a snack, some sunlight, listen to music, call your best friend, journal, or just sit quietly for a couple of minutes before rejoining your day.

4. Think about what you want to talk about. Taking a few minutes before your first session to think about your goals can be helpful. In our first session we will discuss why you are coming to therapy and what you want to get out of it. We do this because we know that therapy is an emotional and financial investment, so we want to make sure that you get the most out of our time together. Maybe there is something specific you want to talk about, or maybe you just feel a general need to come to counselling - either of these and anything in between is a-okay!

5. Go easy on yourself, this is a big step! Coming to therapy isn’t always easy, so be easy on yourself when any nerves come up. You’ve got this!

6. Reach out with questions. We are here to answer any questions you might have leading up to our first session. Feel free to reach out to erin@kits-counselling.com and we will be happy to support you in any way we can.