So you’re ready to book your first therapy appointment, but find yourself staring at the ‘Meet our Team’ webpage asking yourself a thousand different questions, including:
- How am I supposed to know who I should book with?
- Which therapist will accept my insurance?
- What if the therapist I try isn’t right for me?
- Should I try EMDR? What even are the different modalities?
These are all important questions, and trying to find the answers yourself can be nearly impossible, but fear not! It’s Megan, Dóchas’ Client Care Coordinator on the blog this week, and I hold all the answers.
How Do I Find The Right Therapist For Me?
The first place I’d suggest starting the search for a therapist is our ‘Find Your Ideal Therapist’ Dóchas Compass – a 2-minute, thought-provoking quiz designed to help you better understand your therapy needs and preferences. The quiz asks you multiple choice questions like:
- What’s your main goal for therapy?
- What’s your ideal therapy vibe (tools and strategies vs. somatic therapy vs. emotional regulation work)?
- How do you want your therapist to help you tackle problems?
- What type of personality would help you feel most comfortable?
Once you’re finished, you’ll have the opportunity to review your results and even schedule a free Meet & Greet (or two) from there.
How to Get a Personalized Therapist Recommendation
If the quiz isn’t for you, or you received a ‘Contact the Clinic for More Information’ result, I’m more than happy to work with you to find you the best therapist for your needs.
I have the inside scoop about each practitioner- how they work, what modalities they are trained/specialize in, and if they’re accepting new clients.
Here’s how to contact me to have a discussion:
- Pop into the Dóchas office at 636 King St Unit 202, Spruce Grove, AB T7X 4K5 from 9-5 on weekdays.
- Call me at 780-446-0300.
- Email me at info@dochaspsych.com.
Then, I’ll recommend 2-3 practitioners for you to consider. This list will include links to their bios and their availability.
Try A Free Meet & Greet With A Therapist
Once you have an idea as to who you are considering to be your therapist, we can schedule a free 15-minute Meet & Greet with one, or all, of the practitioners that were recommended to you.
Alternatively, if someone really resonates with you and you think ‘Oh, I just know they’ll get me’ we can schedule a full 50-minute session right off the bat. It’s completely up to you and what you’re comfortable with.
These Meet & Greets are a great way for you to interact with your potential therapist, get a feel for how a session might go, and to help you (and the therapist!) determine if you’re a good fit for each other.
Speaking of…
What If The Therapist I Try Isn’t Right For Me?
Every once in a while I get asked this question: Will the therapist’s feelings get hurt if I don’t want to pursue therapy with them after our Meet & Greet?
The answer, and I say this with 100% confidence, is no. Our therapists want the best for YOU, whether that means you continue therapy with them or with someone else.
You deserve a therapist who truly gets you and your life experiences. They won’t take it personally if you don’t choose them- they want you to receive the highest level of care with someone that’s best able to offer you the support you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts On Finding A Therapist
Finding the right therapist can be intimidating. We’d love to work with you to make this process as seamless as possible.
Whether you have no idea where to start, you’re unsure if your insurance covers therapy, or you just want someone to walk you through what a first session will look like, I’ve got you and I’m here to answer all your questions.
Even if you can’t quite put into words what you’re going through yet, that’s okay too! You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That’s what our first conversation is for.
We’re with you every step of the way at Dóchas Psychological in Spruce Grove, Alberta. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’d love to help you find your person.
Not Sure Where to Start with Therapy?
Take the Dóchas Compass (1–2 minute quiz) and we’ll guide you toward the best fit therapist for you.
If you already know what you’re looking for, you can book an appointment online (in-person in Spruce Grove or virtual across Alberta) or call us at 780-446-0300.
References
Cruwys, T., Alexander Haslam, S., Dingle, G. A., Jetten, J., Hornsey, M. J., Desdemona Chong, E. M., & Oei, T. P. S. (2014). Feeling connected again: Interventions that increase social identification reduce depression symptoms in community and clinical settings. Journal of Affective Disorders, 159, 139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.019
Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. (2021). ADHD 2.0. Ballantine Books.
Palis, H., Marchand, K., & Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2020). The relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated mental health among Canadians with mental or substance use disorders. Journal of Mental Health, 29(2), 168–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2018.1437602
Samsamiardekani, B. (2025, October 14). The power of belonging: Caring for yourself and others. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2025/10/power-belonging-caring-for-yourself-and-others.html
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
