FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
faq
Maybe you are searching
among the branches, for what only appears in the roots.
- Rumi
What is it like to participate in therapy?
Wondering if therapy would be helpful for you? You’re not alone. Seeking help from a mental health
professional is becoming increasingly common across all ages, stages, and walks of life.
Individual therapy offers a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings and concerns in the context of
a trusting, authentic relationship with a therapist. This relationship allows for a deep understanding of
the issues and for us to develop coping skills that will help you handle difficult situations and most
importantly, enable you to develop a healing narrative.
The goal of therapy is to inspire change and improve the quality of your life through self-awareness,
exploration and processing. I will use a variety of therapies to assist you in achieving the things that are
important to you.
Being in therapy can:
● Help improve your sense of well being
● Help you replace negative behaviours and thought patterns with more helpful ones
● Let go of or transform painful, repetitive emotions
● Help you learn to face specific fears
● Develop greater understanding and insight into your past
● Help you feel empowered
● Develop coping strategies to manage distress
● Deepen satisfaction in your relationships
● Help you navigate difficult life events
● Assist with decision-making and achieve your desired goals
● Discover what matters most to you
● Unfold a new, healing narrative
“Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our most accurate measure of courage.” ~ Brene Brown
Is it Confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components of a client-therapist relationship.
Psychotherapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not
discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their
confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be
shared with anyone. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an
update to someone on your healthcare team. Your therapist can only share this information with your
written permission. However, the exceptions to the Confidentiality Policy include the following situations:
● If there is concern that you will seriously harm yourself or another person
● If there is concern that a child is being abused
● If you report that you have been abused by another regulated health practitioner and indicate their name
● If the clinical notes or records are ordered by a judge during a criminal or civil trial
Is Online Therapy an option?
The way we seek help is changing as more people are asking for convenient access and more providers
move to online platforms. This allows you to meet with a therapist from wherever you might be. You
can reach a therapist from your phone, an app, or online.
Many people wonder about the efficacy of online or telephone counselling. Research is finding that
internet-based treatment for depression is as beneficial as face-to-face therapy. (Journal of Anxiety
Disorders, Vol 55, 2018 p70-78)
Can I have a free consultation?
Can I have a free consultation?
It is important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. You are welcome to call me for a brief
phone consultation to see if we might work well together.
Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable choice. In order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling.
~Brené Brown