What is Counselling?
In short, counselling is working with a trained professional, who has an ability to help you understand the dynamics of your particular life issues, and if you choose, how to begin the process of changing how you manage yourself in your life. Some of the negative symptoms you might be having are, deep and unyielding sadness, inability to cope with day to day issues, anxiety, nervousness, fear, anger, frustration, hopelessness, bitterness and so on. You might notice that many of the descriptor words are about emotions. These emotions are the emergency sirens of the mind and body. If we begin to listen to our own emotional output, we can begin to assess the thinking, and behaviors that often go with it. Counselling is to help you to develop a way to have a satisfying, rich and creative life, As in any counselling, I can’t “fix” you, my job is to provide you with the tools and skills to face your challenges.
What is the process?
Our first session together is when I ask you some questions in order to gain information about you, your life and your beliefs and then I’ll ask why you have come to see me. The first session is essentially used to define your particular problem and get a sense of whether you and I will be able to work together on matters that may be very personal in nature. Given that you are unique, we will begin to explore your issue or issues with respect to who you are. You are the creation of the sum total of your life experience combined with your inherent mental and biological characteristics. These basic elements can create very complicated patterns in life. Together we will explore those elements that you find distressing, and try to find solutions and perspectives for them. Once you begin to solve your issues and have the tools and techniques you need to do this, it is my hope that you will be able to move on with your life in a creative and meaningful way. Although the elements appear to be simple, the dynamics we create with them are highly complex. By dealing with each of these in balance, we may find some stability in your life. At any point in time, you are free to leave the counselling process without question.
My Approach
Some clients like to know what my approach consists of, after all there are many approaches available and you have to make sure you understand the way I work and ensure I use an approach that works for you. I tend to use an Integrative Approach that I tailor to your needs and issues. In short, I believe that if we are having difficulties in life, we are not well integrated in our relationships. This means all relationships including your relationship to yourself. This model allows for a multitude of perspective possibilities for finding solutions for you as a unique person. It makes much more sense to me that I use the approach that fits you best rather than having you fit into preconceived model.
I will bring to bear all of my experience, training, empathy, and intuition to your particular issue. Together, work toward getting you into a better space in life.
Frequency/Method of Therapy
Frequency of therapy is highly individual and depends on many factors, most of which are determined by you. These may include severity of the issues presented, time availability and financial factors. Generally to start, once a week works well for serious emotional issues , then as you stabilize we can move to bi weekly, as confidence in your own abilities to cope improve we can move to once every three weeks and so on.
Sessions can be held in my office, via Zoom or telephone. I suggest our first session should be in my office but after that you can choose how you would like to receive your sessions.
Sessions can be held in my office, via Zoom or telephone. I suggest our first session should be in my office but after that you can choose how you would like to receive your sessions.