Psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy, or counselling, where you and your psychologist work together to understand the root causes of your problems. This helps you to find alternative ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, which can bring relief from your symptoms.
The process starts with an initial call To book a free consultation with a Registered Psychotherapist, click here!, often by telephone. You can leave a message with your name, contact information and what your questions are, or just say you’re interested in starting psychotherapy. Usually, a therapist will call you back within a day or two to schedule your first session. It’s best to choose a time when you can be free from distractions and commitments. If you have children, it’s not a good idea to bring them along to your first sessions, as they may get upset by what you discuss.
During the consultation, you and your therapist will work collaboratively to create a treatment plan. This involves establishing a mutually agreed upon diagnosis and setting treatment goals. Some therapists will write these down so that both of you can refer to them during the course of treatment. In some cases, you and your therapist will also create a treatment contract that lays out the purpose of your treatment and lists both your and your therapist’s responsibilities in achieving the goals established.
Most therapists will provide you with referrals to other professionals, such as physicians or social workers. These are people who can help you with a range of issues, from depression to addictions. These individuals may also suggest other modalities of treatment, such as psychotherapy or medications, depending on the nature of your problem.
A therapist who is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) has completed 6-10 years of university study, including a master’s degree and thousands of hours of supervised practice. They are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and they must follow a set of professional practices and ethics. They have also likely specialized in a specific area of psychology, such as grief and loss, which makes them more valuable to you if their specialties align with yours.
Many therapists also participate in peer consultation, which can give them new ideas and insights to incorporate into their own clinical work. This can help them to develop more effective treatment strategies, and can make the experience of working with clients more rewarding.
Therapists who participated in this research reported that they valued opportunities to connect with and relate authentically with colleagues. They also viewed consultation as an opportunity to learn from their peers and gain new knowledge that could improve the quality of their practice. However, therapists who were not connected to their colleagues or felt that they did not receive enough useful feedback from their consultant experienced less positive outcomes in consultation. The following are some suggestions for creating a more successful consultation: