WHAT HAPPENS IN THERAPY?

Therapy looks different for everyone. For most, the presence of an objective and compassionate listener helps. Your experience in counselling may involve looking back - or looking forward towards the future. Whatever the journey looks like, I can assure it’s not as scary as it seems. We’ll identify your goals and work towards them as a team. Whether we laugh or cry together, we will undoubtedly grow. 

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST SESSION?

In the first session together we’ll go over an informed consent form. This form will provide more information surrounding therapy in general, as well as address confidentiality within the counselling process. It also covers payment, my qualifications, and my style of counselling. From here, we’ll discuss what brought you to counselling and any goals you may have for therapy. It can be helpful to reflect on this prior to the first session, but we can also go over this together. 

ARE THERE ANY TIPS TO SUCCESSFUL THERAPY?

An open-mind, a courageous heart, and a willingness to be vulnerable with yourself is a good start. I will offer a space where you can feel safe expressing yourself - and in that process you can learn how to connect with, or return to your true self. 

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL IT TAKE TO FEEL BETTER?

This is a difficult question and depends on the person. Put simply, counselling takes as long as it takes. In my experience, people intuitively know when they are ready to end the counselling process. For some, this may be a few ‘tune-up’ appointments. Or, we may work together for long periods of time. In general, I find it takes at least 3-6 sessions to get to the core of what has brought someone into counselling. 

I AM A BC RESIDENT. DOES MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER COUNSELLING/PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH A REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR?

While my services are not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in Canada, many extended health plans in BC cover the services of Registered Clinical Counsellors(RCC’s). Refer to your plan manual for details, or call your insurer and they will be able to assist you.

DO YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN?

I love working with adults 18 years old and up, however, I believe there are other counsellors more suited to helping children and youth. If you would like a recommendation for a child and youth counsellor please reach out, or check Psychology Today.

WHAT IS WALK AND TALK THERAPY?

Sitting down and talking with someone in an office isn’t for everyone. I offer ‘walk and talk’ counselling sessions and meet with clients in preferred outdoor settings. We can walk and talk,  or stop and sit somewhere outside. Same counselling, different environments. 

WHAT IS SOMATIC BASED THERAPY?

Verbal narrative and our interpretations are only half the story of an experience. The physical body also holds a story of it’s own. The somatic narrative takes into consideration physical elements such as gesture, posture, facial expression, eye gaze, and the ‘felt sense’ of an experience into the therapeutic process. Our bodies are wise, but we have often learned to disconnect, push away or ignore them. Somatic based therapy focuses on incorporating the wisdom of the physical body into the counselling process. 

DO YOU OFFER ONLINE COUNSELLING?

Yes, through a secure confidential platform called doxy.me