Three Tips To Help You Find The Right Toronto Therapists

By Author: Ryan Fitzgerald
Total Articles: 11
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Finding Toronto counsellors is not that tough; finding the right ones is. There are many therapists and psychologists out there, and as a resident of Toronto, you can find a fair number of Toronto psychologists or therapists through various resources like your local yellow pages, the Internet, or references from your general health care provider.


However, mental disorders and problems are highly subjective, and people with the ‘same’ disorder, like depression, may have quite different underlying causes and symptoms. It is therefore imperative to find the right Toronto therapists if you are searching for help with your issues in Toronto. Here are a few tips to help you find the most suitable Toronto counsellors:


1. Shortlist a few Toronto psychologists: You should shortlist at least three-four therapists in Toronto, who are near to your place and have experience in dealing with the type of disorder you are affected with. This is because, firstly, you don’t want to spend a long time commuting back and forth from appointments, which can be stressful. Secondly, while most counsellors will ...
... be able to handle any type of issue you are seeking help with, it’s better to consult Toronto therapists who are already somewhat familiar with your specific disorder. However, don’t be too rigid about this.


2. Ask the shortlisted Toronto therapists some questions: You should ask the psychologists or therapists in your list a few questions like how much are their fees and what their pricing model is, and whether they accept insurance. You should also check what their policy is on missed/delayed appointments. You should also clarify whether they are available on phone outside of therapy sessions. You are entitled to all these information, so don’t hesitate to ask the psychologists what you need to know.


3. Try out one of the Toronto psychologists: It has been said that like a car, you need to ‘test-drive’ a psychologist or therapist. This is indeed an apt analogy. And many therapists and counsellors often charge a reduced rate or nothing at all, for the initial test session. You should use this test session to gather as many impressions as you can about a particular counsellor. While it takes time to build a trusting relationship with any therapist, don’t settle for a psychologist that makes you uncomfortable in the first session itself. Good therapists and counsellors are good listeners, and they should be able to empathize with you. At the same time, they should be able to maintain professional boundaries. You should not feel like you are being ‘invaded’ or that you are being coerced to do something that you are uncomfortable with. If a particular psychologist or counsellor doesn’t feel right for you, you should start the process all over again.


Ryan FitzGerald is the Co-Founder of WebTribes Inc. WebTribes is a network of online community websites designed to bring people with similar life issues together from around the world that are in need of support. The support communities are for people affected by Depression, Addiction, OCD and HIV/Aids. Browse Therapy Tribe to How to Find A Therapist, Santa Barbara Therapists, and New York Therapists.