If you are not sure where to start, you are not alone. Often times, taking the first step in finding help can be the hardest part. You are in the right place, and here we break down different pathways you can take in finding the right help for what you need.

The first thing to be aware of is who exactly you are getting help from. In British Columbia, currently anyone who has received certification in providing a service can label it as “therapy”. There is an active effort in place to make this a protected and regulated field in British Columbia, however until that can happen it is important to be aware of who you are receiving help from.

Diploma Certifications & Gurus:

As mentioned before, currently anyone can take a diploma course and then start offering their services as a therapist / providing a therapeutic service. While this might be the right fit for some people, these providers often have limited education in addressing many mental health concerns, and are unregulated in how they administer their services. Sometimes this means that the cost for their services are lower than others, and if you are just looking for basic talk therapy, they might be a good resource for you.

Lifestyle Coaches & Registered Clinical Counsellors:

A lifestyle coach and a registered clinical counselor serve different purposes in the realm of personal development and mental health support.

  1. Focus and Training:

  • Lifestyle Coach: Primarily focuses on helping clients improve various aspects of their life, such as health, career, relationships, and overall wellness. They often use motivational techniques and can provide guidance on goal-setting and achieving aspirations. Lifestyle coaches may have training in coaching practices but are not required to have specific mental health or psychological training.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Trained in psychology or counseling, these professionals provide therapeutic support to individuals dealing with mental health issues, emotional challenges, or traumatic experiences. They often employ evidence-based therapeutic techniques and are qualified to treat psychological conditions.

2. Approach:

  • Lifestyle Coach: Takes a more holistic and proactive approach, focusing on future goals and personal growth. The relationship is often collaborative, where the coach assists the client in identifying their objectives and designing plans to achieve them.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Takes a more therapeutic approach, focusing on understanding the client’s emotional and psychological struggles. The relationship is more structured, often involving in-depth discussions about past experiences and feelings.

3. Certification and Credentials:

  • Lifestyle Coach: Generally requires less formal education and may obtain certification from various coaching organizations. Credentials can vary widely.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Must have specific educational qualifications (usually a master's degree in counseling or psychology) and is licensed by a governing body to practice therapy, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and professional training.

Registered Psychologists & Registered Clinical Counsellors:

The difference between a registered psychologist and a registered clinical counselor primarily revolves around their training, qualifications, areas of practice, and the types of services they provide.

  1. Education and Training:

  • Registered Psychologist: Typically holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. Their training includes extensive education in psychological theory, research methodologies, and clinical practice. Psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders using various therapeutic techniques and psychological tests.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Usually holds a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field. Their training focuses more on therapeutic practices and clinical skills rather than extensive research. Clinical counselors may focus on helping individuals cope with emotional or psychological issues but are not as extensively trained in assessments or diagnostics.

2. Scope of Practice:

  • Registered Psychologist: Can provide a wider range of psychological services, including psychological testing, assessments, and diagnoses of mental health disorders. They are often involved in research and may offer specialized treatments based on psychological assessments.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Focuses on providing therapy and counseling services. Their work typically involves support, guidance, and coping strategies for clients facing various life challenges, emotional issues, or mental health concerns but may not conduct detailed psychological assessments.

3. Regulatory Bodies:

  • Registered Psychologist: Must be licensed by a regulatory body that oversees the practice of psychology in their jurisdiction, which often requires meeting stringent educational, ethical, and practical training standards.

  • Registered Clinical Counselor: Also needs to be registered or licensed by a professional body, but the requirements can vary by jurisdiction and may not be as stringent as those for psychologists.

Neurofeedback & Neuromodulation:

Psychotherapy may not be the right fit for everyone. At our practice we also offer scientific, research-backed approaches to mental health in the form of Neurofeedback & Neuromodulation. Psychotherapy and Neurofeedback/Neuromodulation are two distinct approaches to mental health treatment, each with its own methodology and objectives.

Psychotherapy:

  • Definition: Psychotherapy, or clinical counselling, involves verbal communication between a therapist and a client. It aims to help individuals understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to promote emotional well-being.

  • Methods: Various modalities exist, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and more. Therapists guide clients through discussions, helping them to reflect on their personal experiences and develop coping strategies.

  • Focus: This approach often focuses on psychological processes, interpersonal relationships, and personal narratives. It seeks to address issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties through conversation and reflection.

Neurofeedback/Neuromodulation:

  • Definition: Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that trains individuals to increase awareness and self-regulation of brain activity. Neuromodulation refers to techniques that alter nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus (e.g., electrical impulses or magnetic fields).

  • Methods: Neurofeedback typically involves the use of EEG (electroencephalogram) technology to measure brain waves, where individuals receive real-time feedback about their brain activity and learn to modify it. Neuromodulation can include techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial photobiomodulation (TPBM), & transcranial alternating/direct currant stimulation (TACS/TDCS).

  • Focus: The focus in neurofeedback and neuromodulation is on the physiological aspects of brain function. The goal is often to treat specific neurological conditions, such as ADHD, PTSD, or mood disorders, by directly influencing brain activity.

In summary, psychotherapy emphasizes cognitive and emotional exploration through conversation, while neurofeedback and neuromodulation focus on modifying brain activity to alleviate psychological symptoms. Both approaches can be effective, but they cater to different aspects of mental health treatment.