Choosing the Right Psychologist

(adapted from guidelines published by the British Columbia Psychological Association)

A Psychologist and a client work closely together in partnership.

It is important to choose a Psychologist and a setting you are comfortable with and where you feel confident that your needs can be met.

These sample questions may be useful:

Are you a Registered Psychologist"?
I have been feeling (anxious, depressed, etc.)… am having problems with (my job, my relationship, eating, sleeping, etc.).
What kind of training/experience do you have helping people like me?
What might I expect during our sessions?
What are your fees?
What types of insurance do you accept?
How do you bill for services?

Feel free to prepare some questions relevant to your concerns and interview several Psychologists - by telephone or in person - before making a choice.

Following the initial contact, you may want to meet one or more times before you decide to work together. These consultations will help you determine if the Psychologist is right for you.

Make sure to look for the “Registered Psychologist” or “R.Psych.” designation to select a qualified Psychologist and make sure she or he is registered with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia.