Questions to ask a therapist, counsellor or child psychologist in Red Deer.
What to ask, what to consider:
While Red Deer offers lots of variety and options, trying to sort through the list of therapists can be daunting. There are so many counsellors how do you know who to pick? What questions should you ask? What should you say?Reaching out for help doesn’t have to be difficult. If you are looking for a child psychologist, therapist or counsellor, here are few things to consider and some questions to ask that can help you find the best therapist for you and your child.
Questions to ask a Therapist in Red Deer
You see your teen is struggling and you want them to get help. You begin by asking friends or trusted professionals for recommendations. You want to find a therapist who is a fit for both you AND your child. After all, YOU need to be able to TRUST the counsellor who is meeting with your child, and YOUR CHILD needs to feel SAFE in discussing difficult situations with their therapist. There are many options available (which really is a good thing) and I am here to help. A few helpful things to consider:
Life coach versus Therapist?
Although a life coach has their place, when you are looking for support for a teen struggling with anxiety or depression, you really want to consider one of the professions that are licensed and regulated. This means they belong to college (a regulatory body) who ensures they meet basic criteria for practice and have the necessary training and education. The college’s also set out the code of ethics and guidelines that must be followed. In Alberta, regulated psychotherapy professions currently include Registered Social Worker, Psychologist and Registered Clinical Counsellor.
Type of Therapy?
There are many different types of therapy available and it's not one size fits all. Does your kid prefer talking and has a decent level of insight? Or are they more creative or would prefer a more expressive therapy where maybe sand, play or art is included? Long term therapy or something more brief? Individual child counselling or family therapy? Are you looking for trauma specific therapy? These are things to consider and ask the therapist when calling for the free 15 minute phone consultations counsellors often provide.
Training and Experience?
You will want to inquire about therapists' training and areas of expertise. In Red Deer, you will find therapists who see most ages and most issues. While others specialize working with specific struggles, such as Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Trauma etc, or has expertise with a certain age (eg. children or teens). Are they trained in a specific therapeutic modality and does that match your child’s personality (eg. talk based vs. Creative/expressive techniques included)? Often, fit and connection is a more important factor than someones years of experience and training…someone may be the most experienced therapist but if you can’t trust them or your child doesn’t click with them, then the counselling process will be far more difficult than it should be.
Cost?
Fees for child therapy vary and someone charging a higher rate may not be better fit or have more experience than someone charging a lower fee (and vice versa). Consider your budget, but also be sure to factor in the value for you and your child when they are able to reach their goals and life a fuller life.
Explore your health insurance benefits as many will cover services from a regulated professional…AND….double check with your insurance provider to confirm which specific professionals are covered (eg. Master level Social Workers, Psychologist, Provisional Psychologist, Clinical Counsellor etc.).
Also keep in mind that session durations vary, sometimes dependent on the type of therapy and this will impact the rate.
Gender, age etc.?
Consider whether you and your teen would feel most comfortable with someone of a certain gender, age or faith etc. For some, it really doesn’t matter, but depending on your child’s history, this can be really important.
Looking for specific assistance, diagnosis or testing?
If you are looking for a formal psychological or psycho-educational assessment (to help identify IQ, struggles with functioning and learning, and/or formal diagnoses), you will need to access a child psychologist. Red Deer has several who will complete these types of assessments. Please inquire about costs as these formal testing, though helpful when there are significant academic and learning struggles, are costly and don’t typically provide treatment or therapy.
Can’t I just have my child see a psychiatrist?
In Alberta, a referral to a child psychiatrist can be completed through your family physician. Most psychiatrists DO NOT provide therapy. They can provide a diagnosis and prescribed medication if warranted. Sometimes you may wish to access both a child counsellor and a psychiatrist.
Offering a free counselling consultation in Red Deer
I hope this gives you things to consider in your search for the right therapist for your child. If you are feeling stuck, feel free to contact me at 403-588-4222 for a free 15 minute telephone consult. I’d be happy to help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for more expressive, brain based therapy for your child, or they are struggling with Anxiety or ADHD and you want counselling in Red Deer, click HERE to learn more about how I may be able to help.