PICKING A THERAPIST
Q: How should I pick a therapist? Is it the same for marriage counselling as individual counselling?
A: Good question! First, you want a therapist who you feel comfortable with. You must trust the person you are opening your life to. You want to feel respected and valued. My office extends that respect and security. Inside, the crackling wood fire, comfortable furnishings and visible wildlife add to your safety and security. Outside, the calming wooded trails, secluded pond, bounding Great Dane and friendly horses will be glad to be part of your experience.
You want a therapist skilled in her craft and with multiple ‘tools in her toolbox’ that are backed in science and research, someone who knows what they are doing and not just experimenting on you. I most often hear from clients that they like me because I am ‘hard hitting’. I say it as I see it and do not sugar coat. I am well versed in specialized therapies such as CBT, ACT, Meditation, EMDR and Sex Therapy. I am successful with hypnosis for issues including smoking cessation, pain management and anxiety reduction. I successfully work with adults, adolescents and even children to manage OCD, anxiety, depression, school refusal and phobias such as flying. I mend broken hearts and sooth traumatized souls.
My extensive education and specialized training also sets me above others. I have 5 degrees including my PhD from accredited, world-renown Canadian Universities. I have been licensed even when it was not a requirement so that I have accountability. I am a reviewer for international research journals and teach Master of Social Work students at 3 Ontario universities—I am the one who teaches the upcoming leaders their counselling skills, human development and professional ethics. Do you want your future in the hands of the student or the teacher—the novice or the expert?
It takes one look at the disciplinary actions of the Ontario College of Social Workers to see how many practitioners are not qualified to do what they are doing. I work within my boundaries and do not test theories out on my clients. It is hard to trust someone to have your best interests at heart when they are acting unprofessionally and unethically.
Lastly, a skilled marriage counsellor has to meet the same criteria. You do not want a ‘neutral 3rdparty’. You want someone who cares enough to be honest even when it hurts so that you can improve communication and enrich your relationship. If you do not want to save your marriage, you need someone to help you separate in a way that retains the dignity of both parties and does not damage the children.
Whatever your needs, I have the skill, training, and expertise to guide you to an improved life. Hope to see you soon.
