I've never been to counselling or therapy before, what can I expect?
It is common for people to wonder what to expect or to feel nervous about seeing a counsellor or therapist. I understand and appreciate the courage it can take to ask for help and trust someone you've never met before. I will work with you and go at your pace. In our initial session I will ask a series of questions in an effort to understand what you’ve experienced and what goals you have in coming to therapy. The work we do together is voluntary and by that, I mean that if at any point you don't want to discuss a certain topic, that is completely your choice. My hope is that you will feel relaxed and comfortable to let me know how things are going from your perspective in order to ensure that we make the most of our time together.
Are your services confidential?
All of our sessions will be fully confidential, unless I have written permission from you to share information. The only exceptions to this rule are:
if I have reason to believe you are in immediate risk to harm yourself or someone else
if a child under 16 years old or someone in a Long Term Care Home is at risk of abuse or neglect
if you report sexual abuse by a Regulated Health Care Professional
if your file or therapist is subpoenaed by court
How often do I need to come to therapy?
During our first session, we will assess your needs and develop a plan of action. Together, we can decide the frequency of sessions based on your situation and goals. I am trained to work in both short and long-term formats. If you are wanting to work on a specific situation in your life we can meet for a shorter period of time, while if you are wanting to work on longer-standing issues or explore deeper struggles in various areas of your life we can continue to work together for as long as we both feel is needed. While I will provide my professional opinion, the frequency and length of time we work together is ultimately up to you.
For all other questions, schedule a free phone consultation.