April 2023

Psychotherapy is a powerful tool for improving your mental health and well-being. But it can be scary to start seeing a psychotherapist for the first time, especially if you don’t know what to expect. This guide will help you understand what goes into a good therapy experience, how to find a registered professional who’s right for you, and how to make sure that the process is actually working for you. Whether or not you’re currently struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma or other life stressors, this article will help demystify therapy so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you or not.

What to expect when you start therapy.

When you start counselling, it’s important to know what to expect. The first session usually consists of information gathering on the part of the psychotherapist. They will ask about your symptoms, what you’ve been going through and you will discuss your goals for therapy. Together, you’ll also talk about what kind of treatment might help you most effectively overcome depression, anxiety or any other concerns you’d like to work on.

How to find a therapist.

Finding the right therapist in London Ontario is an important part of your experience. When you find a good fit, it will make all the difference in whether or not you get what you need out of your sessions.

To begin your search for a psychotherapist:

• Ask friends and family if they know anyone who might be a good fit for you. They may have heard of someone who had a positive experience with a certain clinic or professional, or they know of someone personally that they can suggest.
• Look at websites of local therapists in your area. You can also search online directories such as Psychology Today where there is information about each practitioner and the areas they specialize in.

How to get the most out of therapy.

The best way to get the most out of therapy is to be prepared to talk about your feelings. This means being open and honest with yourself, as well as your therapist. You should also be prepared to ask questions if you are confused or unsure of something. The same goes for your therapist; they may have some questions they want answered in order to help better understand what’s going on or where you might go next. With time, you should begin feel comfortable being vulnerable in your sessions, which means sharing information that might make you uncomfortable or even challenges who you think or believe yourself to be. It might not feel like it right now but trust us when we say that this is a good thing!

Find out what your health insurance covers.

If you have health insurance, make sure to check with your provider to see what kind of coverage they offer. Many insurances cover psychotherapy and social work services. Your therapist will provide you with everything you need to send to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Be prepared for the financial aspects of therapy

Counselling is an investment in yourself and your wellbeing. The cost is usually over $120 per session, so it’s important to understand what your insurance will cover before you start. If your insurance does not cover mental health services, you may have to pay out of pocket for this coverage. Note that in Ontario, our health benefits do not currently cover counselling and psychotherapy services. However, there are some community programs that offer reduced rate counselling, often times with long waitlists.

Most mental health professionals are generally able to provide some flexibility around how often and long sessions are each week based on a client’s needs and budget. They might be able to work with clients at a discounted rate if finances are a barrier for starting therapy.

Most professionals and clinics will require that you pay them directly and will provide you a receipt to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Others may offer direct billing and charge your insurance company directly (if applicable). Make sure you ask what forms need to be filled out prior to scheduling an appointment so nothing is forgotten!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Asking questions might sound simple enough, but when you’re in the middle of a session and feeling vulnerable, it can be hard to think clearly about what questions are most important for you at that moment. A good therapist will always encourage their clients to ask whatever comes up during their sessions; if they don’t seem open minded on this issue, it may be time to look elsewhere for help.

It’s also important that you don’t just ask any old question—after all, there are plenty of therapists out there who could answer some pretty basic inquiries without much effort or investment from their clients (and probably would). Instead focus on asking those questions that matter most: ones about specific concerns or issues you have regarding the process itself; ones about things they may have said that felt confusing, or that you didn’t quite understand. By asking these types of questions early on in treatment (if not before), both parties will know whether or not they’re comfortable proceeding further together down this path together!

Answer your therapist’s questions honestly and openly

• Be honest. It’s important to be as honest as possible, which means being open and upfront about how you feel and what you’re thinking. Never hold back or lie on purpose; if your feelings are hurt, it’s okay to say so in therapy. You should also share all of your thoughts without worrying that they’ll make anyone uncomfortable or upset you in some way.
• It can take some time to build trust with your therapist, and you may not want to share certain things right away – and that is ok! Trust yourself and your own comfort level. Remember, they are trained to be non-judgmental and support you with unconditional positive regard.
• Don’t pretend things are okay when they’re not: If something is bothering or upsetting you, don’t hide it because someone else might think differently than how you do (e.g., “I can’t believe they said/did that”). Your therapist is there as a sounding board for whatever bothers you, without judgement.

Therapy can help you feel better, but only if it’s a good match between you and your therapist.

It can be easy to get caught up by the idea that your therapist is “the one.” You start to feel like they know you better than anyone else. But nobody can really know what’s going on inside someone else’s head—and that includes mental health professionals.

Therapy is a process of self-discovery. It’s important to remember that while they may be able to help guide you toward certain insights and new ways of perceiving yourself and others, ultimately it will be up to you whether or not these things stick.

Counselling isn’t a quick fix for mental health problems—you have to commit time and energy into getting better before any real progress will be made. It takes time for feelings of depression or anxiety to fade away; if you leave therapy too soon without making significant progress toward understanding yourself better, then those feelings are likely just going to come back stronger than ever before.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of what to expect when starting therapy in London Ontario and how to find the right professional for you. Remember, therapy isn’t just something that happens once a week or even once a month; it’s a process that will help you improve your life day by day, week by week. If at any point during this process something doesn’t feel right or like it’s working for you, don’t be afraid to ask questions or consider searching for another professional. We hope that reading through these tips has helped ease some of your anxiety about the process — now all that’s left is finding a psychotherapist who fits into your unique needs as an individual.