I have so much more respect for you. Finding the right therapist is difficult! I had a reminder of how difficult this experience is when I started the hiring process here at The Happiness Factory. You may have noticed a new addition to The Happiness Factory team. As in, The Happiness Factory is now a team (and not just me by myself).
The Hunger
Last year I found The Happiness Factory busier than I could sustain. I like being busy. I love helping people. So how could I be ‘busier than I can sustain’? Simple, I need to love what I do in order to do it. I refuse to do otherwise. While I was enjoying seeing the progress my clients made (one of my biggest motivations for doing this whole therapy thing), I felt like I was losing more energy than I was recovering. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was too worn out to bring the energy I need to be a great therapist. So I started looking for another therapist to work with me here at The Happiness Factory.
I started with a grand goal. I’d hire a Registered Psychologist (just like me) who’d do emotional healing through EMDR (just like me). Some who (just like me) would be able to assist you in getting rid of anxiety and depression, developing better boundaries, or manage stress. I wanted a therapist that could be trusted. The only problem was, I’d already hired me.
I needed someone else. I put an ad out into the universe and had that slow moment of dawning realization: finding a therapist is f***ing hard. Yes, technical skills matter. Training matters. Likability matters. I had so many responses that may have worked.
The Hunt
Honestly, I think I would’ve had an easier time if everyone sucked. I had a pool of candidates that all sounded good. This stumped me. I needed some way to discover the very best candidate. I returned to my reason for starting this process in the first place; you. I wanted someone I could trust to guide and care for you the way I do. That meant I needed someone who was driven by the same core values and beliefs, who could be there for you at times when I couldn’t. Five gruelling rounds of selection later (including one meeting with their partner) and I proudly made my selection.
I Choose Brent
I chose Brent because, while I will never understand his desire to vacation in Las Vegas, or go to hockey games, we share a desire to provide our clients with effective, focused therapy. He puts in his whole effort and as much time as needed to give you great service. I chose Brent because the way he talked, the words he chose, the respect and genuine compassion he displayed all told me that he was a therapist, a person, I could feel safe and comfortable trusting to do a damn fine job helping you.
Three months later, I am proud to say, his actions match his words. Brent’s clients are thrilled. I am, too. C’mon in and meet him!
P.S. Brent is not confined to a Pokeball. He has a lovely home he lives in. Nor would he fit in a Pokeball. Brent is rather large for it. Though if anyone wants to edit a photo of him inside one, I promise we’ll put it up.