This type of therapy is called Psychosocial Intervention. In Alberta, it is a restricted activity. Restricted activities can only be provided by certain regulated health professionals who have passed multiple exams to prove that that are competent to do so. Examples of other protected activities are prescribing medications or performing surgeries. Most likely, you are going to want to find a psychologist or social worker for psychosocial intervention. Some psychiatrists may also provide this. Other regulated health professionals, like nurses or occupational therapists, may also provide psychosocial intervention if they have received additional training and proper supervision.
Choose a therapist with the appropriate education and training, such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in psychology or social work, or a medical degree with specialization in psychiatry. A Ph.D. level psychologist will have extensive research training and be well-versed in the latest innovations in therapy. A social worker is skilled in navigating systems and resources. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialized in mental health, and may primarily focus on medications.
This type of therapy is called Supportive Counselling. A psychologist or social worker can help you with this and so can a regulated counsellor or psychotherapist. A regulated counsellor or psychotherapist differs from a psychologist or social worker in a few ways:
Counsellors or psychotherapists:
Provinces usually regulate under one or the other title. In Alberta, "counselors" will be regulated in the next few years. See here for regulation updates in your province.
The main purpose of regulating is to protect the public from harm. Regulated health professionals are responsible to uphold a certain standard of care. They have had to prove that they have proper training, pass multiple licensing exams, and they have to prove yearly that they continue to learn and stay up to date. Non-regulated professionals do not have this same oversight. If you choose someone who is not regulated and they cause harm, there is no governing body to investigate and protect you.
Anybody can use unregulated titles, with or without any training or credentials. They are not responsible for upholding any standards of practice and there are no governing bodies to protect the public if they cause harm.
Once you've chosen a few regulated professionals who look interesting, ask for a free 15–minute consultation. This is a normal practice and most therapist will encourage it. Ask questions to determine who is the best fit for you
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