Is counselling right for me?

Therapy can help address many types of issues including marital or relational difficulties, depression, anxiety, trauma, conflict, parenting concerns, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives. Through a brief personal consultation, I can help you determine if therapy is appropriate for your situation.

How can counselling help me?

As a therapist, I can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.  Some of the benefits from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships, including your marriage
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is counselling like? 

Every therapy session is unique and caters to your individual and specific goals. For instance, it is common to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. The duration of your therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. To continue processing what has been discussed in a session, at times, I may ask you to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors.

Is medication a substitute for counselling?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional struggles and the difficulties they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

To determine if you have extended health benefits, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• What are my counselling benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• What therapist qualifications are required for reimbursement?

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. What you share with me as a counsellor will be held in the strictest confidence. However, there are three exceptions to confidentiality required by law:

• If there is suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse I am required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If there is a serious threat of harm to yourself or others, I will make every effort to work with you to ensure your and others safety. However, if you do not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
• To comply with a legal order such as a subpoena, or if the disclosure is otherwise required or authorized by law.