How to Choose a Counsellor in the Lower Mainland

Finding the right therapist for your needs in Maple Ridge, Langley, and beyond.

Deciding on a counsellor can be one of the most personal choices that you can make for yourself. Ideally, therapy is supposed to be a safe and transformative environment. However, if the fit isn't right, it might leave you feeling stuck, unseen, or even cautious about returning.

With hundreds of counsellors in the lower mainland to choose from, this decision can quickly become overwhelming and make it difficult to know where to begin.

Here are some key factors to consider when you are starting out on your journey to choose a counsellor:

1. Consider Qualifications and Registration

When exploring a therapists credentials, check that they are certified. Given that BC is not currently regulated, anyone can call themselves a counselling therapist with minimal training. 

In BC, counselling professionals have various types of educational and professional backgrounds. The following designations all require that a therapist have at least a Masters Degree in counselling or a related field:

• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) — Members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), have obtained a master’s level in counselling psychology or a related field.

• Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) — Certified through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), have obtained a master's level in counselling psychology or a related field.

• Registered Psychologist (RPsych) — Regulated by the College of Psychologists of BC, typically with a doctoral degree and extensive assessment and research training.

Ensure your counsellor’s credentials can be verified and that they belong to a professional body, as this can help ensure a commitment to ethical practice and accountability.

2. Look for a Therapeutic Approach That Fits You

Many different therapists operate out of different frameworks, so it is helpful to find an approach that resonates with what you're looking for help with. All of these approaches require additional training beyond the counsellor's Masters Degree. Some common approaches include:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) - A compassionate, experiential approach that helps you understand and heal inner emotional conflicts or stuck issues.

• Somatic and Trauma-Informed Therapies - Helps individuals develop body awareness and nervous system regulation as well as recognizing and helping change the impact of traumatic events on the body system.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - An approach that uses bilateral stimulation and taps into the brain’s innate ability for healing to help reprocess trauma and memories so they don’t feel as emotionally charged.

• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) - Supports deeper emotional understanding and connection within identified patterns, often used for either individuals or couples.

• Direct Neurofeedback - A brain/body-based approach that uses gentle, real-time feedback to help the brain reset from stuck or intrusive patterns.

While this list is by no means extensive, it is important to note that many counsellors use several different approaches and may draw upon a combination of modalities to ensure an fit for your needs. 

You don’t need to know all the ins and outs of every modality, but it is worth having a basic understanding of what each approach entails. If you don’t know, ask your counsellor about how they work and what modalities/frameworks inform their approach.

3. Prioritize Fit and Connection

Time and time again, research has shown that the therapeutic relationship—aka: The sense of trust, safety, and connection with your counsellor—is one of the best predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.

When you make first contact with a counsellor, try asking yourself:

• Do I feel heard and understood?

• Do I see a future where I could more deeply open up to this person over time?

• Do they listen with spirit of curiosity rather than from a place of judgment or advice-giving?

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Many counsellors, including those at Revive Counselling, provide opportunities for free or low-cost initial contact or consultation to help you figure out if they are the right fit for you before committing to ongoing sessions.

4. Consider Location and Accessibility

If you have been looking for a counsellor in the Lower Mainland, you already know that there are many excellent options throughout our community in Maple Ridge, Langley, Abbotsford, Vancouver and beyond.

At Revive Counselling and Neurofeedback, we offer both in-person counselling (in our Maple Ridge and Fort Langley offices) and online/virtual therapy options. It is important to find something that works best for your schedule and availability, as well as determining what format allows you to feel the most comfortable.

5. Think About Specializations and Experience

Many counsellors have specific areas of expertise or interest and have devoted their time to obtaining extra expertise or education in, such as:

• Anxiety, depression, and trauma

• ADHD and neurodiversity

• Relationships and/or family dynamics

• Chronic pain and neuropathic symptoms

• Grief, identity, or life transitions

  
  

It is important to find someone whose experience and experiences resonate with what you are looking for. Many counsellors list what they specialize in on their websites to make it easier to find someone who has experience with your unique challenges.

6. Trust Your Instincts

At its heart, therapy is supposed to be a process that is collaborative, and you have the final say on what feels right for you. Sometimes it takes a couple sessions to know if it’s a good fit -and that’s okay.

If you feel unseen, uncomfortable, or not supported after several sessions, it might make sense to try someone new. A good counsellor will support you in finding the right person for you, even if it’s not them.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right counsellor can be a time consuming process, but also one that is worth taking your time with. The right fit, approach, and relationship can help you reconnect with your authentic self, develop strategies to deal with stress, build resilience, and experience growth.

If you’re currently looking for a counsellor, our team at Revive Counselling and Neurofeedback offers a wealth of experience and compassionate support for individuals and couples searching for hope and change. We integrate approaches such as IFS therapy, trauma-informed care, and neurofeedback to support the healing of both mind and body.

You can learn more or book a free consultation here to see if we’re the right fit for you.