Finding the right therapist for you

If you looking for a counsellor in Maple Ridge BC, or the surrounding area, you have probably noticed there are several therapists around to choose from! How to decide?

Since many people begin the search for a counsellor in a state of burnout, all the options can be daunting and discouraging. We have enough to consider everyday! So picking the first one you see on google, or the first one you get a response from, probably makes sense to most people’s brains. The path of least resistance is what our brains prefer most when we are running on empty.

But! I am here to say that picking a therapist at random is probably not in your best interest. In fact, there is a lot of evidence that highlights how important the relationship you have with your therapist is for treatment outcomes. Maybe that random therapist you pick will be great! But why gamble when you’re already tapped out?

I get it. That part of you that says “now is better than later; easier is better than harder” has a point, and the intention is good. You’re burnt-out and you just need help now! And it is so great that you are in the process of seeking help. Sooo let’s make sure the therapist you choose will be the right fit to co-create a healing dynamic with you.

While taking time to find a good fit might not feel worth your while today, in the end it could save you quite a bit of time (and money) to shop around. I would even argue that taking time to find a therapist that feels like a good fit now is a wonderful act of self-care that places you - with firmness and conviction - on the healing journey.

Breathe in. Notice your feet on the ground. Breathe out slowly.

You got this.

Warmly,

Kirsten

This post was written by Kirsten Boulier, MSW, RCSW, EMDR Therapist and Counsellor in Maple Ridge, BC.