FAQ

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there is nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counselling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counselling. Coundelling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

A number of benefits are available from participating in counselling. Counsellors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counsellors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Counsellors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counselling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Some of the benefits available from counselling include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• 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
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Every counselling session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for counsellors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during counselling sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Counselling can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the counselling sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is an important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For counselling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking counselling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

Here are some things you can expect out of counselling:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

In some cases a combination of medication and counselling 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 problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, counselling addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

To determine if you have coverage, 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 health benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per counselling session?
• How many counselling sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counsellor. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule, which are all outlined on our Privacy Policy.