About Psychology

• Psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people change their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
• Psychotherapy is a collaborative effort between an individual and a psychologist.
• Psychotherapy provides a supportive environment to talk openly and confidently about concerns and feelings.
• Psychologists consider maintaining your confidentiality extremely important and will answer your questions regarding those circumstances when confidential information must be shared.

What to Consider When Making the Choice… Psychologists and clients work together. The right match is important. Most psychologists agree that an important factor in determining whether or not to work with a particular psychologist, once that psychologist’s credentials and competence are established, is your level of personal comfort with that psychologist. A good rapport with your psychologist is critical. Choose a psychologist with whom you feel comfortable and at ease.

Questions To Ask…

• Are you a registered psychologist?
• How many years have you been practicing psychology?
• I have been feeling (anxious, tense, depressed, etc.), and I’m having problems (with my job, my marriage, eating, sleeping, etc.); what experience do you have helping people with these types of problems?
• What are your areas of expertise — for example, working with children and families?
• What kinds of treatments do you use, and have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?
• What are your fees?

Credentials to Look For:
To become a Registered Psychologist in Alberta, a Master’s degree is required. One year (1600 hours) of supervised practice is also required under an experienced supervisor, and comprehensive written and oral examinations must also be successfully completed. It is this combination of training and supervised practice that distinguishes psychologists from many other mental health care providers. Psychologists must be registered by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Registration laws are intended to protect the public by limiting registration to those persons qualified to practice psychology as defined by provincial law. In addition, members of the College of Alberta Psychologists adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. In Alberta, only Registered Psychologists are allowed by law to refer to themselves as Psychologists.

Will Psychotherapy Help Me?
According to a research summary from the Stanford University School of Medicine, some forms of psychotherapy can effectively decrease patients’ depression, anxiety, and related symptoms — such as pain, fatigue, and nausea. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are closely linked and that psychotherapy can improve a person’s overall health. There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than individuals with emotional difficulties who are untreated. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions, while 75 percent of individuals in therapy improved by the end of 6 months.

How Will I Know If the Therapy Is Working?
As you begin therapy, you should establish clear goals with your psychologist. You might be trying to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression or control a fear that is disrupting your daily life. Remember, certain goals require more time to reach than others. You and your psychologist should decide at what point you may expect to begin to see progress. People often feel a wide variety of emotions during psychotherapy. Some qualms about therapy that people may have result from difficulty discussing painful and troubling experiences. When you begin to feel relief or hope, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behaviour.