Here's how counselling can help... Counselling can help you cope with difficulties that you are facing and to gain a deeper insight into yourself. My passion is helping people find peace, meaning, and hope in their lives. I'd love to join you for part of your journey. We will focus on improving overall well-being from a holistic perspective, by exploring the physical, emotional, psychological, and relational parts of you.
Settle in to a comfortable and welcoming space where you can feel like yourself and experience unconditional acceptance, empathy, and compassion. Many people report feelings of relief and hopefulness after their first session, because it feels good to be taking action. Attending a counselling session is a true act of caring for your own needs. |
"Jen has been a great resource to me through all different kinds of life events over the past five years. Through grief and loss, to differentiation and relationships; her kindness, understanding, and guidance have helped me to become the person I am today." E.M.
Getting started...
Finding a good fit in the client-counsellor relationship is essential to successful therapy. You can book a full length session to start off, or you can request a free 15 minute phone call to make that first connection and get a feel for my style and energy. Use this time to ask questions, to be open about your goals, and to determine if you feel heard, understood, and comfortable.
The office is spacious, full of natural light, and quiet to ensure your privacy. All surfaces are wiped down between clients, and a commercial grade air purifier is running at all times for additional health precautions. Help yourself to a cup of tea or water and I will do my best to ensure that you feel safe, accepted, and comfortable. |
Next steps...
Depending on your preference and availability, your sessions may either occur in-person, on the phone, or online video session.
The first session is an opportunity for you and I to get to know each other, and for you to share a more detailed account of your background and present situation. This session is also a good time for you to ask any questions you might have about my approaches, the counselling process, or anything else that may be on your mind. After one or two sessions, it's helpful to check in and make sure you are feeling a good connection with your counsellor. Subsequent sessions will consist of exploring your past and your current circumstances, and creating a plan for moving forward. By this time, you may have more clarity about what your goals are, and we will talk about how to move toward those goals.
During your sessions, you will likely end up doing a lot of the talking, but I will often share my insights, reflecting back to you the observations I am making, and even suggest some tools and resources that may benefit you. Over time, a "therapeutic bond" forms between a client and their counsellor, allowing for increased understanding, trust, and openness. Having this connection with your counsellor is essential for progress, growth, and healing.
At some point, you may decide you would like book more or fewer sessions, depending on your circumstances. There are no rules or ideals when it comes to the frequency of your appointments. When life is feeling overwhelming, you might want more sessions, and when life inevitably settles down again, you'll likely slow down or discontinue your sessions for a while. Do what is right for you. Sometimes it can also be helpful to try another counsellor, with a different style or approach for a varied perspective. You are not locked in at any point.
The first session is an opportunity for you and I to get to know each other, and for you to share a more detailed account of your background and present situation. This session is also a good time for you to ask any questions you might have about my approaches, the counselling process, or anything else that may be on your mind. After one or two sessions, it's helpful to check in and make sure you are feeling a good connection with your counsellor. Subsequent sessions will consist of exploring your past and your current circumstances, and creating a plan for moving forward. By this time, you may have more clarity about what your goals are, and we will talk about how to move toward those goals.
During your sessions, you will likely end up doing a lot of the talking, but I will often share my insights, reflecting back to you the observations I am making, and even suggest some tools and resources that may benefit you. Over time, a "therapeutic bond" forms between a client and their counsellor, allowing for increased understanding, trust, and openness. Having this connection with your counsellor is essential for progress, growth, and healing.
At some point, you may decide you would like book more or fewer sessions, depending on your circumstances. There are no rules or ideals when it comes to the frequency of your appointments. When life is feeling overwhelming, you might want more sessions, and when life inevitably settles down again, you'll likely slow down or discontinue your sessions for a while. Do what is right for you. Sometimes it can also be helpful to try another counsellor, with a different style or approach for a varied perspective. You are not locked in at any point.
Five Things Counselling is NOT:
1. Counselling is not self-indulgent
In the same way you eat when you are hungry, or visit your doctor when you are unwell, seeing a counsellor should not be considered a luxury, but rather an intentional act of addressing your needs to maintain health and wellness. 2. Counselling is not "just talking"
Despite common misconceptions, your counselling session is not an hour of you talking and your counsellor listening. Counselling is an interactive and collaborative discussion. Your counsellor is there to engage actively with you, ask questions, reflect on your responses, and offer tools and resources for you to try. 3. Counselling is not judgmental
Your session is an opportunity to share openly in a safe and confidential environment. Your counsellor will not judge or criticize you in any way, He or she is there to provide unconditional acceptance and compassion toward you and your situation. 4. Counselling is not a quick fix
Counselling does not give you instant solutions. Instead, it gives you an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of yourself and the situation. Often this leads to identification of beliefs or behaviors which may have been contributing to the problem. Learning new behaviors or modifying long-standing beliefs takes time and effort. You will be setting yourself up for disappointment if you go in expecting a miraculous solution to all your problems. Instead, look at counselling as a place where you will learn the skills needed not only to address the current situation, but also to handle future challenges. |
5. Counselling is not advice
Counselling is not the same as giving advice. Advice is judgmental; it assumes that you need to be told what's right for you. A counsellor will not tell you what to do. They will guide you in finding your solution, and not impose their solutions on you. Being told what to do creates dependence, and counselling aims to do just the opposite – to empower you to face challenges in the future. Your counsellor may at times suggest possible behaviors or actions, however the decision to implement those changes is up to you.
Counselling is not the same as giving advice. Advice is judgmental; it assumes that you need to be told what's right for you. A counsellor will not tell you what to do. They will guide you in finding your solution, and not impose their solutions on you. Being told what to do creates dependence, and counselling aims to do just the opposite – to empower you to face challenges in the future. Your counsellor may at times suggest possible behaviors or actions, however the decision to implement those changes is up to you.
Adapted from MyMindOasis, 2017