8 STEP GUIDE TO FINDING THE RIGHT COUNSELLOR
Looking for a counsellor can feel complicated, people often ask what to look for in a counsellor. Here are some ideas to consider, along with several questions that can guide your search.
1. GOOD FIT
First, a good fit is crucial, you (or your child) need to feel comfortable with the counsellor in a way that feels safe and authentic. Relational safety and trust are built over time, but an initial warmth and liking, with a trust your gut instinct’’ is a great start.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
It’s really important to me that clients find the right fit to feel safe and comfortable; I will try to offer a referral if we decide working together is not the right fit. We can have an initial chat via phone so you can decide if you want to continue with me as your counsellor.
2. COUNSELLING GOALS
Clients unique goals guide the work of counselling. Here are questions that can be used as a guide in finding a counsellor “What are my goals for seeing a counsellor? Do my goals align with the counsellor’s areas of interest? Why am I seeking counselling, now?” Answering these questions can provide clarity to what you are looking for in the counselling process.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
Together we collaborate to achieve your counselling goals. We can discuss your goals together during an initial intake conversation or refer to the contact page. I use your goals to guide our work together.
4. WHY DID YOU BECOME A COUNSELLOR?
Asking a prospective counsellor this question tells you a bit about them and their passion for their work.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
For me, I have had a ‘listening ear’ my entire adult life. Challenging life experiences, which include, loss, trauma, relationship issues, ageing parents, dementia, parenting, crisis, transition, and more have taught me many life lessons. My ability to listen to others and enter into suffering or celebration is founded upon my own life’s journey. Additionally, I have been a writer focused on couples and parenting resources since 2003. Combining my interest in family issues, with my ability to care for others comes together in my career as a counsellor. I am also very interested in women’s issues which include pregnancy, infant loss, postpartum, or domestic violence, etc.
I returned to university as a mature student and discovered a passion for learning; I love to learn and every class (except statistics!), every paper, every project was an opportunity for me to learn about my own experiences, to gain understanding about myself, my losses, my triumphs, my family, and so much more! My education and counselling career have truly been a gift, and they not only inform my own life experiences but also how I can journey alongside others as a helper in their healing journey. I love working with people of all ages.
5. ACADEMIC TRAINING & CREDENTIALS
Look for a counsellor who is trained at a Master’s degree or higher level we are looking for an academic credential. It looks like, BA, MA, M.ed, R.Psych. (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Education, or Ph.D. which is Doctor of Philosophy) for someone who has the education, but is navigating the licensing process it may say MA, (RCC Pending). In BC there are three credentials that denote the counsellor is trained and licensed with Master’s level training or higher; they are CCC or RCC or R. Psych; these credentials will be easy to find for those who hold them.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
At Beth Scholes Counselling, my credentials are BA (Psychology), MA (Counselling Psychology), I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, (RCC #17444).
6. Clinical Training
Counsellors (and other health care professionals) are required to complete supervised clinical training. This includes on the job practicum or internships where students are directly supervised by trained supervisors. Feel free to ask where the counsellor did their clinical training.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
My supervised clinical training included three sites accumulating over 800 clinical supervised hours between the Chilliwack Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD), child and youth mental health and two private practice sites in Abbotsford.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
Mental health professionals can and do add a wide variety of specialized training to their academic and clinical training. This ongoing professional development aids professionals in staying in touch with current research and honing new techniques and skills throughout their careers.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
I have specialized training in play therapy, couples counselling, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, trauma therapy, mindful self-compassion, and domestic violence click here for more information.
8. SUPERVISION
Supervision is an important part of the counselling profession; supervision provides the counsellor with an opportunity to seek advice and to problem-solve in collaboration with another more experienced counsellor. Peer supervision is a group of counsellors discussing a case for increased professional competency. ALL supervision is done while protecting client confidentiality, no names or identifying details are used. Supervision is a very important time for counsellors to ‘share the emotional load’ they carry and increase professional competency.
At Beth Scholes Counselling
Supervision is a priority on a regular basis in a peer supervision group. Confidentiality is held strictly, therefore identifying details are not used in supervision; ethical standards are strictly adhered to. My supervised clinical training included three sites accumulating over 800 clinical supervised hours between the Chilliwack Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD), child and youth mental health and two private practice sites in Abbotsford.
Questions To Ask A Potential Counsellor
Below are questions to ask a potential counsellor. It’s important to know if the counsellor’s training is appropriate to their services, what their experience is, and if they are going to be a good fit in both personalities and your counselling goals.
Where were you trained? What undergraduate and graduate degrees do you hold?
Where were your practicum/internship placements?
What professional training have you completed since graduating?
Do you attend regular Clinical Supervision? If not, why not?
What is your professional practice experience? What settings have you worked in (Hospitals, Government Agency, Private Practice, Other)?
What experience do you have working with the issues I am dealing with?
What do you enjoy about your work? Or What brought you into counselling?
Questions originally published on Alonsideyou.ca