Finding a therapist/counsellor can be a daunting task. However, in order for counselling to be
effective, it is important to find a counsellor/therapist who is the right fit for you and your
partner as a couple to teach new skills, deliver support and provide guidance in a non-
judgemental atmosphere.
In British Columbia, the best resource to use is the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
website. A properly trained and educated Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) can be found
using their website search tools.
When searching for a couples counsellor, it is important to consider a variety of factors:
Qualifications: education, credentials, certifications, licenses and professional memberships.
Areas of specialty. It is not uncommon for counsellors to have several speciality areas. Be sure couples counselling is one of them.
Experience. As with any profession, the more experienced a counsellor is, you may find they can be slightly more expensive. On the other hand, new counsellors who are just starting out in their practice may charge less than a counsellor with 5 or 10 years of experience. While you may save money initially, it can take months if not years to effectively transfer theory taught in classrooms into practical application with a couple.
Approach to Therapy. As I have indicated here Emotionally Focused Therapy has substantial research indicating it is the most effective therapy for couples counselling.
No matter what type of therapist you choose, it is essential that they have the necessary
qualifications and experience in order to provide effective treatment. Taking the time to
research and evaluate potential therapists will help ensure that you find the best fit for
your needs.
