08/14/2025
Credit:
While we work to regulate the industry, there are several steps you can take now to help you choose the best possible provider.
1. Lawyer referrals can be great but they aren't enough (especially if a non reputable provider is doing business under a different name).
2. Ask if they have any credentials or memberships with other related governing bodies, especially ones requiring criminal record checks, fingerprinting, oversight, & regulation.
3. Determine the owner's name & have your lawyer run it through Canlii.org (Judicial mentions, endorsements, credibility / lack thereof assessments). Or do so yourself.
4. Do they have a Google Business Listing? If not, WHY not? Some agencies don't have a GBL to try to limit negative reviews (check their Better Business Bureau Rating / Reviews as well).
5. Ask what their educational background includes (does the owner hold related post secondary degrees or specialized training? Certain "credentials" can be obtained online in minutes or a couple hours).
6. Ask if they use minimum wage supervisors / have consistency with staff. Ask what their training program looks like.
7. Ask how much direct experience they have / how long they've been in business & if they've operated under any other business name(s) in that time.
8. Ask what business licensing they have. Are they an actual registered company & not just using a name?
9. Ensure they testify at Trial & have the credibility to back it up.
10. Use critical thinking when reading reviews (does a negative review sound like a high conflict client who seems angry at the outcome or does a great review sound fake).
11. If you are having a Section 211 Assessment, ask the psychologist if they can recommend a reputable agency.
Treat your consultation like an interview. Pay attention to communication skills and how they respond to your questions.