Why See a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists help diagnose and treat a variety of human problems. Some of these problems, such as depression, anxiety and relationship difficulties, are clearly psychological in origin. Other problems seem more physical, but can be caused or made worse by psychological factors. These include chronic pain, high blood pressure, and sexual dysfunction. A third group of problems that may be helped with psychological interventions are health-threatening behaviours such as smoking and over-eating.

What Services do Clinical Psychologists Provide?
Assessment services refer to the types of evaluations made by Clinical Psychologists for the purpose of figuring out what kind of help a client needs. Assessments often involve interviewing the client and, when appropriate, the client's family and significant others. In addition, psychological tests may be given. Assessments are generally concluded with a complete reporting of findings and recommendations to the client and, with the client's consent, a release of this information to other professionals.

Treatment services are various forms of talking therapy or psychotherapy given by Clinical Psychologists to help clients achieve their goals. Treatment begins with the Psychologist negotiating a plan of action with the client. This plan outlines what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom. Any parts of treatment that fall outside the Psychologist's declared areas of competency are referred to other professionals. The remainder of treatment involves implimentation and revision of the plan, as needed.

How do You Find a Clinical Psychologist?
In British Columbia, call the Psychologist Referral Line at 1-800-730-0522 or use their online referral service at http://www.psychologists.bc.ca to obtain the names of Psychologists from your area that can provide the kind of help you are seeking. Any one of these Psychologists will in turn assist you by providing names of additional health care professionals as needed.

You may also wish to consult the directory of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Place your order for a hard copy at 368 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7G3, or search the directory online at http://www.crhspp.ca.

How can You be Assured Competent Care?
All Psychologists in British Columbia must be registered with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia before they can legally call themselves Psychologists. In order to become registered with the College, candidates must first possess a doctoral degree in psychology, and pass both oral and written examinations. Most important, they must agree to abide by certain ethical principles and standards of practice.

If you have questions or concerns about the services you are receiving from a psychologist, you may contact the College at 1-800-665-0979, or browse their Website at http://www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/. If you are unable to resolve these concerns with your Psychologist, and wish to file a formal complaint, it must be done in writing to suite 404, 1755 West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4S5.

How do You Pay for the Services of a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists may be thought of as working in either public institutions or private practice. Those employed in public institutions such as universities or hospitals are generally paid a salary and do not charge their clients. In contrast, Clinical Psychologists in private practice are paid an hourly rate and in most cases collect payment directly from their clients. Help is available in paying for some of the services of a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Employers may cover the costs of a Psychologist through extended medical insurance or an Employee Assistance Program. Check to see if these benefits are applicable where you work.

Psychological services required as a result of accidental or criminal injury are sometimes paid by the Workers' Compensation Board or the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Psychological services may also be funded for status Aboriginal people through the Medical Services Branch of the Department of National Health and Welfare. When all else fails, Psychologists will sometimes agree to either reduce their fee or waive it altogether.

1 Over 60% of the physical complaints received by family physicians from their patients are either wholly or partly psychological in nature.

2 The fee schedules for psychologists at Aegis range from $160 to $175 an hour, where an hour is taken to mean a clinical hour, lasting 50 minutes.

3 The Canadian Code of Ethics requires Psychologist who are members of the Canadian Psychological Association to offer "a portion of their time to work for which they receive little or no financial return." (Principle IV.10).