Counselling
Providing guidance to help people navigate life’s challenges
According to 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counselling, the delegates comprised of 31 counselling organizations agreed upon a unified definition of counselling:
Professional counselling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
Counsellors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.
A Personal Choice
Deciding to see a counsellor is the first step. Finding the right counsellor to help you takes some research.
Counselling Q & A
What is professional counselling?
Counselling is a collaborative effort between the counsellor and client. Professional counsellors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behaviour change and optimal mental health.
How long does counselling take?
Ideally, counselling is terminated when the problem that you pursued counselling for becomes more manageable or is resolved. However, some insurance companies and managed care plans may limit the number of sessions for which they pay. Check with your health plan to find out more about any limitations in your coverage.
Types of Counselling
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling is a personal opportunity to receive support and experience growth during challenging times in life. Individual counselling can help one deal with many personal topics in life such as anger, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marriage and relationship challenges, parenting problems, school difficulties, career changes etc.
Couples Counselling
Every couple experiences ups and downs in their levels of closeness and harmony over time. This can range from basic concerns of stagnation to serious expressions of aggressive behaviour. Marriage counselling or couples counselling can help resolve conflicts and heal wounds. Overall, couples counselling can help couples slow down their spiral and re-establish realistic expectations and goals.
Family Counselling
Family counselling is often sought due to a life change or stress negatively affecting one or all areas of family closeness, family structure (rules and roles) or communication style. This mode of counselling can take a variety of forms. Sometimes it is best to see an entire family together for several sessions. Common issues addressed in family counselling are concerns around parenting, sibling conflict, loss of family members, new members entering the family, dealing with a major move or a general change affecting the family system.
Group Counselling
Group counselling allows one to find out that they are not alone in their type of life challenge. To be involved in a group of peers who are in a similar place not only increases one’s understanding of the struggles around the topic but also the variety in the possible solutions available. Typically, groups have up to eight participants, one or two group leaders, and revolve around a common topic like: anger management, self-esteem, divorce, domestic violence, recovery from abuse and trauma, and substance abuse and recovery.
Request an appointment
Not sure which of these is right for you? Tell me what you would like help with and I will point you in the right direction.