What to expect when consulting for psychological services?
After first communicating with our Centre to obtain psychological services, we will match you up with one of our clinicians based on your preferences and their areas of specialization. The wait time before your first appointment varies from a few weeks to a few months. However, please note that we always strive to offer you services as quickly as possible.
The first appointment with your psychologist aims to evaluate your actual difficulties and review your personal history. The person you will be working with will try to understand your therapeutic objectives and formulate a comprehensive treatment plan that allows you to reach these goals. During the subsequent sessions, this plan will be communicated to you and, collaboratively, be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
Based on the information collected throughout the evaluation period, a case conceptualization of your difficulties will be presented to you in order to achieve a mutual understanding of the factors that are initiating and maintaining your psychological difficulties. The first therapy sessions will also have as an objective to develop an optimal working alliance that allows you to trust your psychologist. At any moment during therapy, if you feel any reservations, you can let your psychologist know so that they can try to correct the situation and establish a safe and non-judgemental space.
The length of psychotherapy will vary depending on the severity of your difficulties and your therapeutic objectives. Treatment duration can vary from a few weeks to a few months. Since psychotherapy is an active endeavor, your psychologist will strive to create a climate based on trust so that you feel like you can speak freely about your current difficulties and practice new skills outside of therapy sessions. If your psychologist considers that they are not the best professional to meet your needs, they will help redirect you to another trusted professional in our Centre or in the community. Please do not hesitate to ask your psychologist any questions.
Their role is to help you to the best of their abilities and to adapt their knowledge based on scientific training in psychology to your unique needs.
