When you decide to go to therapy, you are taking a courageous step. It is normal to have some anxiety around choosing the right therapist (see my previous post for a step by step guide) and about the unknowns around the therapy process, especially if it is your first time. Let me say it again… This is normal. As therapists we want to make you as comfortable as possible and so we will work with you to answer any questions you may have. Now you might be thinking… but I only have a 15 minute consultation, how will I possibly as all the questions I need to.
I am here to help and break down some of the most frequently asked questions I hear.
Question 1: Why should I come to therapy?
Therapy is beneficial because it provides a safe, judgement free space to explore life's issues. It will allow you to explore trauma from the past, anxiety about the future or stress regarding current circumstances. It also provides a different kind of relationship than a family member or friend because a therapist can act as an unbiased sounding board, focused on your wellness. We have also gone through extensive training to learn interventions to be able to help you cope better, provide resources and create an environment where you can ask yourself tough questions. Having a therapist allows your friends and family to act as a support system without putting more on them than they may be equipped for.
Question 2: How does insurance for therapy work?
In Manitoba, most therapy practices do not direct bill insurance. What this means is that you will have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed by your insurance company. Unfortunately, every insurance company is different with what they cover whether that be Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists or Canadian Certified Counsellors. Therefore, it is important that prior to attending therapy you check with your insurance company if your therapist is covered. This can be done by asking you therapist what their credentials are and then contacting your insurance company or using your insurance portal/booklet to see if your therapist will be covered.
Question 3: What if I don’t have Insurance?
If you do not have insurance you would have to pay for therapy out of pocket without reimbursement by an insurance company. This can be a difficult thought for a lot of people due to financial constraint. Thankfully there are resources available. Many therapists, including myself, offer sliding scale therapy or therapy at a reduced cost for individuals or families who fall below a certain income threshold. If you want to know if your therapist provides this, it may be listed on their website or you could feel free to contact them to ask. Additionally, there are directories like The Affordable Therapy Network which provide lower cost therapy and there are often Agencies that provide lower cost counselling services. In Winnipeg, this might be something like the Aulneau Renewal Centre or Family Dynamics.
Question 4: What should I expect in my First Therapy Session?
This will ultimately depend on the counsellor, though there are likely some similarities across first sessions. One thing to expect would be to go over some paperwork and address things like confidentiality and therapy policies as well as what brought you to seek therapy and some history of the issue. If you were to schedule with me, you could also expect to go over potential ways you have attempted to resolve this issue and your hopes for therapy.
Question 5: How long will I be in therapy for?
This is a question that unfortunately is impossible to answer. Some clients come to therapy with a specific struggle in mind and find they only need a few sessions to overcome it. Others feel they need a consistent person in their lives to work through life struggles with which could result in long term therapy. Ultimately, the choice is yours. While your therapist will come up with a treatment plan with you, you can choose to end therapy whenever you desire. That being said, it can be beneficial to do 1-2 wrap up sessions so you can review progress that has been made, resources available and make a discharge plan.
Question 6: Do I have to do homework?
Homework is something that can trigger a lot of anxiety in people and can often feel like just one more thing we have to add to our to do list. Ultimately, no one can force you to do self work assigned in therapy but the purpose of it is to help you grow and develop tools outside of the therapy session which can ultimately provide a sense of accomplishment and self confidence when it is time to discontinue therapy.
If you think about it, if you were to come to therapy once a week, that’s 4 hours a month. And although that is great there are 448 waking hours in a month! When you compare the 4 hours, it starts to look pretty small. Self work is assigned outside of session to boost up the amount of time you are working towards the changes you want to see. So it is your choice, but I would recommend considering trying to incorporate some of the self work provided and then give feedback to your therapist as to whether or not it’s working for you so we can work together to find the best fit for you!
Question 7: What is the difference between a Psychiatrist, A Psychologist, A Psychotherapist and A Social Worker?
It can be so confusing when you start therapy to figure out which professional does what, which one is best for you and what your insurance company covers so I have broken them down for you to help you choose your best fit.
Psychiatrist: A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry. They are able to diagnose mental health issues and prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are covered by Manitoba Health due to their being a medical doctor and some of the provide therapy services while others refer out for therapy.
Psychologist/Associate Psychologist: A Psychologist has a Doctorate Degree and an Associate Psychologist has a Masters Degree plus additional supervision. Both are able to diagnose mental health issues but not prescribe medication. Some provide therapy services.
Psychotherapist/Counsellor: A Psychotherapist is a counsellor generally with a Master’s level education or equivalent. They cannot prescribe medication. They can conduct some assessments depending on their level of education. They are trained therapist to assist with a variety of mental health concerns.
Social Workers: Social workers can provide community support work or therapy services. Some have a Masters level education (MSW) while others have a Bachelors level education (BSW). All Social Workers belong to a College of Social Workers to practice. Some social workers provide therapy services.
Question 8: What are free consultations?
Free consultations are a period of time, generally around 15 minutes where you can have a risk free conversation with your therapist to decide if you would like to go forward with booking an appointment.
I do free consultations over the phone. During this time you can ask me any questions you might still have about me, my practice or the way I approach working with clients. It is also a time where you get to share a bit about why you are seeking therapy to determine if we would be a good fit. It is a no obligation period of time where at the end you can either book an appointment, take some time to think or end the conversation there and search for someone who might be more what you are looking for.
In Conclusion:
There are a lot of questions that you may have about the specific therapist you are interested in. It is important to check out their website to get a feel for who they are, look for blog posts that might be similar to areas you are struggling with and reach out to them for more information if you have any outstanding questions. This list is meant to act as a starting point and to ease some of that anxiety surrounding finding a therapist.
If you still have more questions for me, or want to know more about my specific practice I invite you to visit my FAQ page or contact me for a free 15 minute consultation to see if I might be the right fit for you!
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