Choosing a therapist: Reasons why people start therapy with me

November 19, 2024 | General, Seaglass News, Therapeutic Process

In January 2025, it will be six years since I started Seaglass Psychology. I’ve had experience working with clients since getting my psychology degree in Chile in 2010. However, having a private practice in Canada has allowed me to get to know myself as a professional on a whole new level. Choosing a therapist can feel daunting, so I wanted to share some of the reasons why people start therapy with me. It may help you decide if we might be a good therapeutic fit!

Choosing a therapist: Why work with me

The importance of laughter

Through the years, clients have often mentioned that they appreciate how often we laugh in session. Making space for laughter is very important to me. Not only is laughter healing in many ways, but it can reduce stress and help us feel connected. In my experience, it can also create a sense of warmth and general safety. In short, laughing promotes a strong working relationship.

This matters because these factors are some of the most important predictors for positive therapeutic outcomes. Besides, it just feels good! Using laughter for self-regulation and to take soothing breaks from difficult emotions seems like a good idea all around.

An intersectional feminist lens

I hold an intersectional feminist lens, which is a quality clients say they value about my approach. Often, people have told me they wanted to work with me for my ability to incorporate systemic and political views into the therapeutic process. This seems especially important for people  who seek to deconstruct the messages they have received from patriarchy, colonialism, and other forms of oppression. Additionally, clients appear to value exploring their healing and psychological wellbeing within this perspective, as it allows for personal and systemic accountability.

A feminist and intersectional lens also becomes relevant when working with clients of diverse identities. This is especially the case for people who belong to historically excluded and otherwise marginalized groups. Some of my clients have expressed wanting to work with me in particular for my work in fat liberation, or because I am an immigrant. Sometimes, they mention my understanding of Latine culture or that I speak Spanish. Others have told me they prefer working with me because I’m welcoming of polyamorous folks as well as people whose identity exists within the LGBTQIA2S+ umbrella.

My therapeutic models

The counselling models that I use are another reason why people choose to work with me. My approach is strongly relational. I usually talk about being like a GPS or a process consultant; in other words, I use my knowledge of somatic interventions, emotion processing, parts work, and other similar models to tailor my work to my clients’ needs. This seems to be particularly relevant for folks who have tried other models (e.g. CBT, EMDR, PE) but have chosen to look for alternatives.

A comment I hear frequently is that someone has read through my website, and my words have resonated with them. When I talk about my approach and my specialties, or when I share a blog post exploring therapeutic issues, I’m sharing my worldview and how I work. This information often helps people decide if I might be the right therapist for them.

The benefits of telepsychology

Since moving my practice to the online medium during the pandemic, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with telepsychology. Before I started, I worried about whether sessions would feel colder and more distant. I also worried that it would make it difficult to incorporate the body, sensations, and the complete emotional experience. As it turned out, I had no reason for concern. The face and voice are so expressive that I still get a good idea of what’s going on for someone based on that alone. I actually think that I have the same rate of accuracy tracking experience as I did in person!

Over time, I have come to appreciate the positive things that virtual therapy can bring to me and my clients. It’s been beautiful to continue to laugh and feel deeply with them; I often forget we’re using a device to connect. I’ve also heard from some clients that, although they had been worried as well, now they prefer it. Even though there are clients I’ve yet to meet in person, my experience is that we’ve developed deep therapeutic relationships regardless.

Reclaiming time and distance

One of my favourite things about doing therapy via video is that it helps me avoid a commute. No more worries about traffic! No need to fill up the tank, either. All you need is a private place, a secure internet connection, and a videocall-enabled device.

It’s not all about local traffic, though. Virtual therapy provides an advantage to people in rural communities; folks with physical, medical, or mobility disabilities or concerns; and to people from marginalized communities. Thanks to regulations in places like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Nunavut, I can work with people who reside far away from me. This is especially relevant for people who seek therapists with my specialties!

Considering that research suggests telepsychology is as effective as in-person therapy, I am pleased to continue to work primarily online.

The future of my practice and you

Many exciting things are happening for me professionally that will hopefully become more reasons for people to choose me as their therapist.

As I mentioned, in addition to working with people in Alberta, I can now offer telepsychology to clients in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Nunavut. I’m also considering registering in the Northwest Territories, and I want to continue expanding my competence to work with Indigenous clients.

An area in which I want to obtain additional training in is working with neurodivergent people. Although I have accessed education in these areas, I want to further my skills when working with ADHD, ASD, and AuDHD people. I also want to continue working with folks who are experiencing political and climate-related anxiety, and those interested in engaging in social activism.

Currently, I offer mentorship to future psychologists, but I hope to expand this and start supervising provisional psychologists as well.

As I take my practice into the future, there is much I want to achieve. I want to continue creating a welcoming, affirming, and warm place where to support my clients’ deconstruction and healing. My focus will remain in promoting strong relationships with like-minded clients, and letting that bring the change they want for their lives, and that we all want for the world.