People often ask me what they should be looking for in a counsellor/therapist. First thing, your therapist should be registered with a professional association or college. Did you know that counselling is not currently regulated in Ontario? Did you know that your neighbour could hang his/her shingle on their door and proclaim to be a Marriage/Family Therapist or Psychotherapist/Counsellor? Thankfully, this is changing with the passing of Bill 171- within the Psychotherapy Act(2006)-under the provincial Ministry of Health, in June 2007. A Marriage and Family Therapist, has at minimum, a Master’s Degree, as well as 1000 direct client hours post graduation, along with 200 hours of direct supervision from an OAMFT/AAMFT supervisor.
Aside from credentials, it is imperative that you feel comfortable with your counsellor, that you connect with him or her. If you feel the counsellor is not a right fit, then it is a good idea to ask for a referral.
Ellis