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Do I Need Therapy?
“Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a
chasm in two small steps.” - David Lloyd George
Many people ask me “How do you know if you need therapy?” My answer is usually “Trust your instincts”.
If something is going on in your life that is causing some kind of discomfort or interference in your
day-to-day functioning or relationships, then you may want to talk to a professional. If you think that
something is not quite right come in and talk about your concerns and we can determine together whether or
not you need professional support.
Signs that you may need professional help:
- Feeling confused, lost, depressed, angry or out of control
- Feeling stuck in your life
- Getting stuck in unhealthy or destructive patterns of behaviour
- You’ve made attempts to try and solve the problem on your own without long lasting success
- You would like an impartial opinion and fresh perspective on the problem
- You’ve talked with friends and/or family and feel they are getting tired of hearing your problems
- You keep the problem to yourself because you don’t want to burden friends or family or are afraid of being judged or ridiculed
Often people wait until a problem becomes severe before they think about seeking professional help. Many
of my clients have said that they wished they had come for help sooner but were afraid that their problem
was not “bad enough”. I often work with clients to build skills and abilities that will help them to prevent
a problem from happening down the road. For example, some couples come in to build their communication skills
so that they can enhance their relationship. I have also had clients come for sessions to explore
how they can make their lives more fulfilling and rich. Whatever your concerns, I will be happy to meet with
you for a free consultation to determine whether I can be of assistance. If I do not feel that I am the best
person to help you, I will try to recommend someone else who can.
Finding the Right Therapist for You!
- When you begin looking for a therapist, make sure you pick someone with the right qualifications and experience.
Most therapists will belong to a professional organization that has a code of ethics and regulating board.
There are several links on this website that can give you an idea of some of the qualifications required to
belong to these organizations.
[Links Page]
- A good therapist should provide you with a free consultation either over the telephone or in person.
When you call a potential therapist ask if they provide this service.
- When you speak or meet with a therapist, make sure you feel comfortable with that person.
Ask yourself if this is a person you can talk to openly and honestly. If not, then find somebody else.
The therapist won’t mind you moving on if you don’t feel they are a good fit.
- Ask specific questions about the therapist’s qualifications and experience. What kind of training do they have?
What professional organizations do they belong to? What is their professional experience? Ask the therapist what
kind of experience and training he/she has specific to the problem for which you are seeking help.
- Take some time to consider whether or not this is the therapist for you. Don’t rush into or feel
obligated to make an appointment if you aren’t sure.
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