3 questions to ask yourself when looking for a counsellor or psychologist

Provisional psychologist, registered psychologist and counsellor - these are titles you may have heard before when it comes to mental health support. But what do they mean? What's the difference between them and how do you know what the best fit is for your own personal needs?

What's a Registered/Provisional Psychologist?

Registered psychologists are regulated differently in each province. In Alberta, the regulatory body is called the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). A therapist in Alberta with a designation of registered psychologist, has a registration number with the College of Alberta Psychologists and has fulfilled specific academic requirements to obtain registration. They have also completed hours of practice under the supervision of another registered psychologist. Registered psychologists fall under the Alberta Health Professions Act. A practitioner with the designation of provisional psychologist is in the process of completing their supervised hours.

What's a Canadian Certified Counsellor?

Counsellors in the province of Alberta are regulated differently from registered psychologists. The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) oversees the work of all Canadian Certified Counsellors across Canada. Practitioners with this designation have also completed certain academic requirements and have completed supervised practice though these hours typically occur as part of a master's program. Currently, counsellors in Alberta are not regulated under the Alberta Health Professions Act though that will hopefully soon change. For more information, follow this link.

Which is better?

Though there are differences in how counsellors and psychologists are regulated in Alberta, the short answer is that neither one is better. So, what should you do? How do you know who to choose to work with?

Here are 3 questions to ask yourself for choosing a therapist to work with:

1. Do I have extended health benefits that provide therapy coverage and if so, do they require that my practitioner meet any specific criteria?

2. Do I want to see someone in-person or would I rather have virtual sessions?

3. What do I need or want help with? Are you struggling with constant worry? Have you recently lost someone close to you and want someone to support you through the grieving process? Do you need help navigating through conflict at work? You can use key words in your search for a practitioner - anxiety therapists in (insert location), grief counsellors in (insert location). This will help narrow down your search to those practitioners (psychologists and counsellors) that have experience in the area that you want support in. You might be thinking, "I don't know what I need help with! I just know something doesn't feel right!". I assure you - you are not alone. The right practitioner can help guide you.

Another possible consideration is budget. Generally, counsellors have different rates than psychologists. Be sure to look into the session fees of a practitioner and if you are unable to find the information on their website, don't be afraid to ask.

Ultimately, finding the right practitioner is about fit. Ask a potential practitioner if they offer complimentary consultations and use that time to ask any questions you might have about the therapy process.