Choosing a Counsellor.
I regularly have people ask me for help with choosing a counsellor. Over time, my response has evolved into a conversation to support people to become empowered consumers of counselling services. I am including parts of that conversation here in hope that others might find it useful.
Reflect on what is important to you.
You might not know exactly what you want out of your counselling relationship, but chances are that you have some idea of what you think is important to you. Have you had previous counselling relationships that worked well for you? If so, take a moment and reflect on what you liked about that relationship. Conversely, if you have had a counselling relationship that did not work well for you, take a moment to reflect on what was missing or what got in the way. If you are seeking out counselling for the first time, reflect on what you think might be helpful.
For example: As a queer person, I would like my counsellor to have an understanding of how mental health intersects with the queer experience.
2. Ask questions.
Most counsellors provide a free consultation. Take advantage of this opportunity! You can use this time to ask some questions and get a feel for someone’s approach. Here are some sample questions to get you started:
What is your background? How long have you been working in this field? What education or training do you have?
What experience do you have working with people who are diagnosed with __________?
What experience do you have working with people who have experienced ___________?
What is your approach? What does a typical session look like? What can I expect in a first appointment?
Will you bill my insurance provider directly? If not, which insurance providers generally cover your services? (Make sure to verify with your insurance provider which services they cover and for how much).
3. Understand the designations.
If you browse the listings on Psychology Today, you will notice that counsellors have many different designations and educational backgrounds. It is important to note that in British Columbia, the designation of “counsellor” is unprotected and unregulated (technically, you do not need a license to call yourself a counsellor). This can make things confusing (and potentially dangerous) for consumers of counselling services. I’ve listed some of the main licensing bodies here, but I encourage everyone to do some research and don’t hesitate to ask a prospective counsellor about their licensing body.
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC): RCC’s are required to have a master’s degree from an accredited institution, have completed at least 6 courses in counselling, four of which must have been completed at the master’s level, and have completed at least 100 hours of clinical supervision (25 hours must be direct supervision). RCCs must complete annual professional development to maintain their designation. For more details, check out their website here.
Registered Social Worker (RSW)/Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW): RSW’s have an undergraduate degree (BSW) or a graduate degree (MSW) in social work and have successfully passed the BC College of Social Work Licensing exam. RSWs must complete annual professional development to maintain their designation. For more details, check out their website here.
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC): CCC’s must hold a graduate degree in counselling and have completed a minimum of eight graduate-level courses in counselling. New graduates must have completed a supervised practicum (at least 150 hours of which must include direct supervision) and experienced practitioners must have at least 800 hours of direct counselling work in the last 5 years. For more details, check out their website here.
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC): RTC’s must hold a certificate or diploma that includes at least 500 education hours and at least 6 courses in counselling topics. RTCs must have a minimum of 200 direct client contact hours and 50 clinical supervision hours. For more details, visit their website here.
4. Keep the conversation going.
In a healthy counselling relationship, you should feel safe to ask questions, provide feedback and even take a break or disengage from services. Do you have questions about an approach or technique your counsellor is using? Ask about it. Would you prefer that your counsellor do things a little differently? Let them know. Have you decided that this counselling relationship isn’t the right fit for you? That's okay. A good counsellor will listen with compassion and understanding, and then work with you to find an appropriate referral.