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10 Signs of an Ethical, Trained and Qualified Psychotherapist

Published:

By: Shira Smith Bloomfield,

Registered Psychotherapist

It is important to feel confident in the therapist you choose, and to understand what factors may indicate they are qualified to practice and are practicing ethically. Based on my understanding of the ethics and standards of this profession (informed by the CRPO’s Standards of Practice), and my own clinical experience, psychotherapists should:

  1. conduct themselves professionally and respectfully,
  2. belong to a professional or regulatory body, depending on province, and be clear about their title or designation,
  3. be easy to locate in the registry of their professional or regulatory body (eg. CRPO’s Registry for Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)),
  4. hold professional liability insurance,
  5. seek supervision according to their regulations,
  6. be willing to share their supervisor’s contact information with you, if requested,
  7. act according to an ethical standard (egs. CCPA Ethics, CRPO Ethics)
  8. gain your written and verbal Informed Consent, which outlines:
    • risks and benefits of psychotherapy,
    • exceptions to confidentiality,
    • details around how they keep their records secure and private,
    • payment, missed session, and other administrative policies,
  9. connect you with other resources if they cannot provide what you need,
  10. and – most important – be willing to receive your feedback, be open to your concerns and have your best interest at heart, even if that means ending therapy or referring you on.

The relationship between counsellor and client is called the therapeutic alliance and rapport.  Rapport is the single most important factor in predicting positive outcomes from therapy. Unconditional positive regard and active listening promote trust and open communication. It’s important to trust yourself when choosing a therapist. It’s ok to move on if something doesn’t feel quite right, safe or comfortable.

About the Author:

Photo of Shira standing outdoors. She is wearing a red dress and blue cardigan.

Shira Smith Bloomfield

Registered Psychotherapist

Shira Smith Bloomfield is a psychotherapist, providing virtual therapy sessions at Bloomfield Psychotherapy in Ontario, Canada. She focuses on treating clients who identify as highly sensitive people, those with aphantasia, who experience chronic pain, are overwhelmed parents, or who feel inclined to work with her. She is also the owner and founder of Find a Student Therapist.

Disclaimer: Posts by therapy students and third parties do not belong to Find a Student Therapist, and the information is not verified and may not be accurate or correct. Find a Student Therapist does not endorse or support the content. The content on the Find a Student Therapist website is psycho-educational, the sole opinions of their respective authors, and is not psychotherapy. Do not rely on any information on this website as a substitute for medical orpsychotherapeutic advice. Use of the content on this website does not create a therapist-client relationship. Each person’s mental health needs are unique; consult a qualified professional for personalized support. Use this content at your own risk. Find a Student Therapist will not be held liable for this content.

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