4 Keys to Find a Psychologist
Psychologists work with your child to understanding their learning needs.
So you think your child is falling behind in school?
Has your child’s teacher spoken to you about concerns about their learning profile? Keep reading to learn about 5 things to consider when looking for a psychologist.
Looking for a psychologist to work with your child to learn about their learning needs can be hard. It can be hard to work your way through all the possible professionals to find the right one to work with your child. Here are some things to consider when hiring a private psychologist to help you understand your child’s unique learning profile.
Use the Internet
The internet can be an overwhelming space to start your search so I would suggest you start by talking to your family doctor. Some clinics have psychologists already on their team who can help. Another place to seek recommendation would be from your child’s school. Sometimes, the school psychologist might know of a local professional who might be able to help. Alternatively try https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca?tr=Hdr_Brand and enter your location. This will give you a great list of possible people to see.
Interview your Potential Psychologist
Talk to the potential psychologist and interview them. Ask them how they do their assessment giving them a brief overview of your concerns. Do they do it over a few days (I would recommend this as it’s an intensive process) or all in one go? Have they done assessments for school boards before? How long have they been providing assessments? These questions will help in ensuring your hiring the best fit for your child.Provincial Learning Disability Association
Check with your provinces Learning Disabilities Association as they may provide a list of possible psychologists. If they don’t have a list of possible psychologist, as not all like to make recommendations, they can at least help you on the path to finding what you need.
Look in Your Network
Do you know someone in your network who works in psychology or with children? This a great resource for you tap into. When we were looking to find someone for our son I called up an old childhood friend who I’d ‘reconnected’ with on Facebook. Turns out she works as a child psychologist and was able to help me.
The ABC’s to finding a psychologist
Once you’ve found ‘your psychologist’ take time to ensure that everyone is ready for what’s coming. If you are wondering what an assessment might look like my earlier post “And the Testing Begins” to gain some understanding of what it might look. Good luck on your search!
If you are wondering what happens when you visit with your psychologist check out my post And the Testing Begins. This was our experience the second time around with our second son.
Assessments are hard and waiting is tough, but testing allows you to gain a road map for understanding.