What to look for in a counsellor

There are a few things to keep in mind when searching for a counsellor:

1. Look for someone with appropriate qualifications and experience. Counsellors come from a variety of backgrounds and training, so it's essential to find someone who is appropriately qualified and has experience working with the issues you are dealing with. Counselling can essentially be provided by anyone from a Master’s qualified to someone who has zero qualifications. So, it’s important to check the credentials of the individual providing therapy. We suggest seeking someone with in-depth training in counselling such as a psychologist, social worker, mental health occupational therapist or tertiary-trained counsellor.

2. Consider the type of therapy that will work best for you. There are many different types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, to name a few. Research these different types and consider which one resonates with you. Or you may wish to deep dive in with someone who has an eclectic approach. At Wellbeing Campus our clinicians are trained in various approaches and theoretical models such as CBT, DBT, ACT, Schema and Psychodynamic theory. However, we rarely use one model and apply a client-centred eclectic approach that focuses on the individual needs of the person. And if you have no idea what approach works for you, that’s perfectly okay, in fact probably more common than not.

3. Trust your gut. It's important to find a counsellor who you feel comfortable with and who you can trust. This means that you may need to try a few different counsellors before finding the right one for you. It can be difficult to gauge if a person is right for you or not simply by reading a profile online, therefore, we would encourage you to reach out and have a phone conversation with the clinicians (like an interview) to see if they’re right for you.

Counselling is a personal journey, and finding the right counsellor can take trial and error. It's okay to take your time and ask questions before committing to a counsellor. You want to make sure you find someone who you feel comfortable with and who can offer the support you need.

If you would like to make a time to speak with one of our counsellors, please contact us today for a confidential chat