Individual, Family and Couples Counselling
Why do people seek Counselling?
People seek counselling when they have a strong sense that their lives are not balanced or in harmony with how they want to live.
Some people have trouble in their personal or professional lives. Some notice recurring patterns of unsuccessful behaviours or outcomes in love, friendships or work. They know that their lives can be different and are looking for a place to explore these issues and make positive changes.
People choose to meet with a counsellor instead of talking to friends or family because they may feel ashamed or embarrassed about what they are feeling or thinking, or they may not want to be a burden.
Others may seek a compassionate listener who has training and expertise in developing new ways of thinking and behaving. Ultimately, such exploration can, and often does, lead to productive change and happier, healthier lives. Counselling helps us to feel more confident, happier, have more fulfilling relationships, and brings a sense of hope for the future.
How does Counselling work?
A counsellor provides people with a place to explore thoughts and behavioral change in order to make a difference in their lives. I believe that people know what they need and with support and information they can achieve their goals. Without insight and change, we tend to repeat the same self-defeating behaviors.
My style is collaborative, interactive and respectful. I help individuals to increase self-awareness and develop satisfying personal relationships, make healthy decisions and gain a greater sense of control over their lives. We will check in often to see how the work we are doing together is impacting you. This allows us to focus on what is beneficial for you and to build on that work.
I have a broad knowledge of various psychological theories but my work with people is predominantly called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. By focusing on how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are interconnected we can change what isn't working and develop new skills that will bring positive change. In doing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, people are required to work on developing their new skills between sessions. This work will always be discussed prior to starting it and once it is completed.
Typically, we meet once a week or every two weeks for fifty minutes each time. When we first start I’ll want to know more about why you decided to seek counselling and what your ideal outcome is. Because I want to understand the context of your situation, we may spend time talking about your relationships, goals, strengths, vulnerabilities and supports. Together, we’ll decide how to best address your concerns that brought you to counselling.
Choosing a Counsellor
It is important to feel that your counsellor respects and understands you. I can provide a free 15 minute phone consultation, which may give you a sense of how you would feel about working with me. Some people opt to meet several counsellors to find someone they feel comfortable talking with.
If you think we’re a good fit and want to start counselling we will schedule weekly or bi-weekly appointments based on your preference. Clients who feel somewhat at ease, or have enough of a positive experience in the first meeting often opt to continue with counselling. It may take a few sessions before a person can fully know if they wish to continue. Like any new relationship, the passing of some amount of time will help determine how to proceed.
Having a good working relationship is critical in being able to talk about troubling thoughts and strong feelings; in fact, research shows that the relationship between a client and counsellor is one of the most important factors for success.
However, this should not be confused with being expected to feel comfortable immediately. Seeking help and talking about difficulties with a relative stranger may initially feel intimidating or scary. Sometimes people feel a little worse before they feel better. This is normal and usually a sign that we are making progress.
The therapeutic relationship is a relationship based on truth and honesty, and if the client decides that we are not a good fit and the counselling is not working, I will be happy to assist in finding another counsellor who might be a better fit.What does it mean to counsel using a holistic perspective?
