What is counselling? What does it look like? What is normal? What can I expect? I am unsure and it builds my anxiety to make the first step.
I get it. Being uncertain about basic aspects lead to a compounding stress level to even start. Now, let me caveat this that I speak about my own experience as a client and a clinician but not everyone is the same.
I offer a free consultation so we can meet and go through some quick details first. You can tell me a bit about you, I’ll tell you about me and my approach and we will go through some practical pieces. This gives me insight in answering, “Can I help this person the way they are needing me to right now?” I know a lot of things and continue to grow but I also know I have limits and sometimes I am not the best suited to a client. That is ok. But that doesn’t mean you are alone. I will help try and connect you with potential other clinicians who are suitable. It also gives you the opportunity to see if you feel comfortable with me before making that commitment for yourself.
So, to the original question: What is counseling? Well interesting enough counselling is not regulated and the title counsellor can be nearly anyone. The titles Psychotherapist, social worker, & psychologist are protected by our licensing bodies. For example I am a Registered Psychotherapist (short form RP) under College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). This means we have standardized education and experience as well as adherence to a set of laws and ethics to protect the public and to hold our license.
May approach is transparent. I have nothing to hide. We work together in an integrative approach to therapy and treatment. After all, you are the one doing the work, you should have a day in the approach as well.
Send me any questions you have and I will work at answering them one at a time!