How to Choose an Anxiety Therapist

Therapy and counselling sessions can bring a lot of benefits. Among the most common types of mental and emotional health issues we see are anxiety disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide. Canada is no exception to this.

Anxiety Disorders

There are many types of anxiety disorders that people regularly deal with. In the worst cases, anxiety disorders can get in the way of everyday life.

The following are among the most commonly-seen anxiety disorders:

Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is the classic anxiety disorder always shown on TV and in movies. It’s when people live in constant anxiety regarding day-to-day life. It occurs even if there would otherwise seem like nothing exists to be anxious about.

Panic disorder

Panic disorders are primarily characterized by panic attacks, which are moments of uncontrollable anxiety and fear. These panic attacks can cause a person to shut down and fail to function.

Phobias

Phobias are very specific fears that some people have. These cause the sufferers to experience anxiety when experiencing their triggers. In some cases, phobias can also lead to the development of panic attacks.

Anxiety disorders may get in the way of a person’s life, depending on severity. Even the people around them can be affected. As such, people should look for the signs and symptoms that accompany anxiety disorders.

Signs, Symptoms, and Impacts of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are usually characterized by extreme fear, worry, anxiety, and panic. These, however, are not the only manifestations of anxiety.

Anxiety disorders can also have different effects on the people that suffer from them. Some of these effects are the following:

Effects on concentration, cognition, and thinking
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Effects on the body, such as palpitations, hyperventilation, cold sweats, feelings of weakness, and more
Impact on other people around the person with anxiety, which can include worrying and stress

One of the best ways of coping with an anxiety disorder is through therapy. Of course, the therapist should be well-experienced in the field of anxiety disorders. We’ve compiled a number of ways to narrow down your search for an anxiety therapist or counsellor.

How to Choose an Anxiety Therapist: 8 Things to Consider

You may find that there seems to be a wide choice, with several counsellors to choose from. However, you can’t just trust any therapist with your mental health.

Here are eight things to take note of when looking for and choosing an anxiety therapist.

1. Consider your location

You need to consider your location when looking for an anxiety therapist. Find one in a place that is suitable for where you live or work. Make sure that the office is not a hassle to get to. This is important, since a hard-to-reach location may cause you to miss or skip out on therapy sessions.

2. Start collecting therapist details and weigh out the options you have

You may already have a few prospective therapists in your preferred location. Start collecting their contact details. Once you have found a suitable therapist in your area, start weighing out your options. Consider things like the following:

Your budget for therapy sessions
How you will get to the therapist’s clinic
What you are looking for in a therapist

Thinking of these things in advance can help you have smoother therapy sessions in the future.

3. Consider the cost

Some therapists charge more for their services compared to others. Make sure that you consider the costs that you will have to spend – but also know that it’s an investment in your well being for the long term!

4. Look for referrals

If you have friends or family that have gone through therapy, it always helps to ask.

They may have therapists to refer to you based on their experience. You may also look for online referrals in your area. Be warier of these, however, and don’t just fall for promotions, blatant or otherwise.

5. Evaluate their online reviews and testimonials

Some therapists and counselling groups have online pages for reviews and testimonials. Make sure you look at these pages to evaluate whether you think the therapist will be suitable.

6. Check the therapists’ credentials

It’s essential also to check your therapist’s education and credentials. Of course, education isn’t everything in this regard. You also need to check for the seminars and training that the therapist has attended. If you believe that these make the therapist suitable, then consider that one.

7. Do an on-site evaluation

The clinics that you will go to need to be conducive for conducting therapy sessions. You need to evaluate this for yourself and see whether the environment is favorable for you or not.

8. Go for your first session

You won’t know what a therapist is really like until you go to the first therapy session. Make sure that you look out for certain signs that your therapist is a good one.

Some things to ask yourself are the following:

What is my comfort level with the therapist?
Did the therapist ask me what my goals are?
Are we communicating with each other effectively?
What kind of advice does the therapist give?

It would help to ask yourself these questions after the first therapy session. Evaluate whether you think the therapist will be helpful to you or not. Make your decision from there.

Anxiety therapy is a must when you are suffering from anxiety disorders

Of course, you need to find a suitable therapist that can help you deal with anxiety disorders. At Capital Choice Counselling, our counsellors are among the most experienced when it comes to helping people deal with anxiety in Ottawa.

Anxiety