by Nancy Bergeron, Registered Psychologist
Over the past year, I have shared many mental health moment topics. It was brought to my attention that, for some, finding the help they need or having a better understanding of who to seek out can sometimes be confusing. In this article, I hope give clarity to those who may be seeking to better understand what to look for and how to access mental health help.
First, talk to your doctor as a first line of assessment to see if there are any medical reasons for why you may be struggling or feeling the way you do. Many health issues can mask themselves as depression and anxiety. Your doctor can run your blood work to see many of these hormonal/chemical imbalances. Your family doctor can prescribe medications. If you are diagnosed or thought to have Bi-Polar or Schizophrenia you may need a doctor referral to see a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that can prescribe drugs and do a more formal mental health assessment. They can better monitor your meds and adjust accordingly.
Next, if it is deemed to be out of your medical doctor’s scope of practice, reach out to a mental health practitioner. They are referred to as psychotherapists, talk-therapists, counsellors, or therapists. Look for a psychologist (RPsych), clinical psychologist, certified counsellor, or perhaps an MSW (masters of social work counsellor). There are also pastors and clergy that may be trained in general counselling or perhaps look for a licensed marriage and family counsellor. Our education level, hours of required supervised training, certification, board examinations and services differ greatly. Please ask for credentials and if they are licensed and insured through a governing body to ensure you are getting the best care.
Each of these practitioners have special areas of expertise that they have been educated, trained, and certified to accommodate. No practitioner can do everything well. Look for someone who specializes in your specific area of challenge. If a practitioner is approached to work in an area they are not competent in, they should be willing to refer you to someone who is, and be able to offer you a few options. Private practitioners charge upfront for their fee and if you have an insurance plan the cost can in most cases be reimbursed. Please ask in advance so there are no surprises. Registered Psychologists are accepted by all insurance companies and sometimes, they are required based on the service you are seeking such as mental health or educational assessments. You do not need a doctor referral to seek private counselling or assessments.
Alberta Health Care does provide many programs free of charge. However, you will need to qualify and there are sometimes waiting lists for services. They also provide free of charge walk-in counselling on a first come first serve basis for a limited number of sessions at a north and south location. Call 211 for info.
In addition, there are publicly-funded training agencies that have qualified personnel that counsel and supervise counsellors, social workers, and psychologists in their practicum and internships that offer fees on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Some of these agencies are Catholic Family Service, Calgary Counselling Centre, Distress Centre and Eastside Family Centre.
In an emergency situation, you can call 911 or contact Distress Centre for 24-hour phone support 403-266-4357 or go to their online site for a chat service from 3-10 pm.
I am a Registered Psychologist.
“Psychologists are regulated health professionals who provide services including psychotherapy, assessment, diagnosis, and research of psychological health and problems. They are trained in evidence-based practices and follow a code of ethics that promotes respect for dignity and fair treatment. Alberta’s psychologists have advanced university degrees (Masters or PhD) and undergo extensive supervised training and examinations. Psychologists study the biological, cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and environmental determinants of behaviour and through such extensive research and practice, psychologists help people cope more effectively in daily life.” Psychological Association of Alberta
I hope this information is helpful for you or someone you care about. I encourage everyone to take care or their physical, emotional, and mental health. Sometimes all we need is to be heard in an empathic, non-judgemental, unbiased way.
