Sparrow Neuropsychology provides assessment rather than therapy. Many people we see are also thinking about therapy, though, so this page explains what therapy is, who provides it, and where to find a therapist.
What therapy is
Therapy (also called counselling or psychotherapy) is a collaborative, confidential relationship with a trained professional. You work together on the things that matter to you. That might be a specific problem such as anxiety, low mood, grief, or trauma. It might be a major life change. Or it might simply be wanting to understand yourself and your relationships better.
Therapy is not only for crises, and you don’t need a diagnosis to benefit. Sessions usually involve talking, but many therapists also use structured, evidence-based approaches. Examples include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), EMDR, and emotion-focused or relational therapies.
How therapy can help
Research shows that therapy helps with a wide range of difficulties. The evidence is especially strong for depression, anxiety, and trauma, and therapy can also help with relationship problems. Therapy can help you:
- understand patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour
- develop practical strategies for managing stress, mood, and anxiety
- process difficult experiences, losses, and transitions
- improve communication and relationships
- adjust to a new diagnosis or a change in health, such as ADHD, a brain injury, or a neurological condition
- put the recommendations from an assessment into practice in everyday life
One of the strongest predictors of good outcomes is the relationship between you and your therapist. Finding someone you feel comfortable with matters as much as their particular approach.
Who provides therapy
Many different professionals provide excellent therapy. They have different training paths and different areas of focus, and each brings its own expertise. These are differences in role rather than a ranking. The best choice depends on what you need, and many people benefit from seeing more than one kind of professional.
Counsellors and therapists
Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) and other counselling professionals generally hold a master’s degree in counselling or a closely related field. Their training includes extensive supervised clinical practice. Others in this group include Canadian Certified Counsellors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists.
Therapy is the heart of their work. Many counsellors have deep expertise in particular areas, such as trauma, grief, relationships, addictions, or work with specific communities. They are often the most accessible place to start. Their services are not covered by MSP, but many extended health plans cover them.
Psychologists
In BC, registered psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology. Their training includes supervised clinical practice, a year-long residency, and research. Psychologists provide therapy and can also diagnose mental health conditions. They are trained in formal psychological assessment, which uses standardized tests to understand how someone thinks, feels, and functions.
Some psychologists specialize further. For example, clinical neuropsychologists like Dr. Benjamin focus on how brain health affects thinking, memory, and behaviour. Psychologists’ services are not covered by MSP, but many extended health plans cover them.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed medical school and then specialist residency training in psychiatry. They diagnose and treat mental health conditions from a medical perspective, and they can prescribe and manage medication. Some psychiatrists also provide therapy, but many focus on diagnosis, medication, and consultation. Psychiatric care is covered by MSP but usually requires a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Finding a therapist
Sparrow Neuropsychology does not offer therapy. Our practice is limited to neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment.
Our clinic is based within Wild/Kind Collective, a Vancouver counselling collective. We are glad to recommend the clinicians there. The collective includes a number of licensed clinicians with a range of specialties and approaches.
If you are in crisis or need urgent help, call or text 9-8-8 (the Suicide Crisis Helpline), call 9-1-1, or go to your nearest emergency department.