What is Counselling?
Counselling is a form of talk-therapy typically held in a private setting where the individual meets with a trained professional to discuss issues or problems they are facing in their lives.
Counselling provides a safe space for clients to share their perspectives and work to develop new perspectives on their situations and experiences. The therapeutic relationship is a key component of the process. This relationship is one that is confidential and non-judgmental, as well as being collaborative, meaning the client and the counsellor work together towards desired outcomes and goals for counselling.
Counselling is NOTN crisis intervention or suitable for acute mental health disorders. If the practitioner believes the client requires care outside the scope of practice, they will be referred to a higher level of care.
what to expect in a session
Initial sessions start with an introduction and explaining the confidentiality agreement*. After this, the client is given a brief explanation of the counselling process - that this room and the time in this room belongs to them to discuss whatever they need to and will be met without judgement. The client typically will discuss the reason they are seeking counselling, establish goals, and go over history and other important details relating to the client's current situation.
Subsequent sessions will depend on treatment goals but generally involves collaborative dialogue, exploration of personal history, symptoms and current strengths and values.
I equip clients with appropriate tools and strategies to help address symptoms and to better manage everyday life.
What approaches do I use?
I believe in an integrative and eclectic approach to counselling. There are several benefits to using multiple theoretical approaches. Mainly, working from the perspective that no one theory suits every client and each client requires a unique approach. Integrating several approaches provides the freedom to use a collaboration of interventions and strategies that best suit the client and their needs.
Some of the core theoretical approaches I use include Somatic and Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems, Emotions Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
*Confidentiality agreement ensues that everything discussed between the client and counsellor is kept confidential unless the counsellor has reason to believe the client may cause harm to themselves or others. Also if records are subpoenaed by the court, confidentiality will have to be broken