Is Therapy for me?
Over the last number of years, the stigma of mental illness has slowly been chipped away and while there’s a long way to go, this has meant that more and more people are able and open to getting the support that they need and deserve from a mental health professional. Therapy now seems more common and accessible than ever. But there is still a lot to understand about therapy before folks can feel comfortable diving in to seeking therapy for themselves. In this blog, we will try to answer some common questions about therapy and who it can benefit. Here we go!
The therapy process is intended to provide a safe and supportive environment where people can fully explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours as well as process and more fully understand their lifetime of experiences that have shaped who they are today. More than that, therapy can help individuals heal from past experiences and traumas so that they can then move forward in life the way they want to and change any problematic patterns that get in the way of leading a fulfilling and healthy life. The idea of a safe space is crucial. Therapists are not your friends, family, or anyone closely connected to you. Therapists can provide a confidential non-judgmental approach to supporting you through this process of introspective exploration and healing.
The therapy session may look slightly different depending on the therapist and the person seeking therapy – we all have our different styles, personalities, and approaches we use. At Therapy Alliance, we take a client led approach in which we will join you in what you see as most important to work (focus) on.
Overall, there are countless reasons why people seek therapy. Therapy can help with relationship issues, overcoming past trauma, working towards life goals, improving anxiety and depression, and improving communication skills. Whatever it is you want to work on, reaching out to a therapist is one of the biggest steps to take.
So what kind of Therapist should I talk to?
Another common question we receive is what is the difference between a Registered Social Worker, a Psychotherapist, and Psychologist, and a Psychiatrist? It’s a great question and can be confusing. All of these professionals are regulated by their own Colleges. They are all licensed and fully qualified Mental Health Professionals, though they have taken different educational paths to reach these designations. Regardless of our different designations we are all authorized and regulated by our Colleges to perform the controlled act of Psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialized in psychiatry. They can provide assessments and diagnosis of mental illnesses and also prescribe medication.
Psychologists have received their doctorate in Psychology and have passed rigorous training and testing to receive this designation. They are also able to provide assessments and diagnosis of mental illness but they cannot prescribe medication.
Registered Social Workers have a Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited social work graduate program and have completed supervised hours in a clinical or social work setting. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is the regulatory body for social workers. Social work is a broad term and covers many different areas in which a social worker can practice.
Registered Psychotherapists will have different educational degrees such as graduate degrees in psychology, psychotherapy, or counseling. They are all regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Phil and Claire are Registered Social Workers with the OCSWSSW and are authorised to perform the act of psychotherapy. To help figure out what fit is right for you or what type of professional and therapy you are looking for, a 15 minute free consultation can be helpful where we can answer questions you may have about therapy, about us, or about our approach. You can share with us what you’re hoping to address in therapy and you can then get a feel for our own personalities and approaches. The therapeutic relationship and alliance is integral to successful outcomes in therapy. That’s why a consultation can be helpful.
Our services are not covered by OHIP. However, most employment benefits cover social work services and psychotherapy. Check your benefit plan to ensure you are covered.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has created a helpful guide for finding counselling and therapy services that are either for a fee or covered by OHIP.