What is Counselling and Psychotherapy?
The terms counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably. Counselling generally refers to shorter-term therapy and psychotherapy generally refers to longer-term therapy. The approach depends on the issues, concerns and goals you bring to counselling, and sometimes they are integrated.
Counselling is the intentional process of seeking change and move toward healing. As a therapist it is my role to help facilitate the change that you desire. I enter into a professional relationship with you that provides a secure and confidential environment in which to explore the nature of the change you seek. Together we work to achieve your goals, as I offer you my expertise and training.
People come to counselling because there is something in their life they would like to change or achieve. Some reasons my clients have given for seeking counselling include the following:
- Feeling caught in feelings of anxiety and depression and can’t get out
- Constantly stressed and its affecting all areas of my life
- A relationship problem that keeps recurring
- Feelings of loneliness
- Feeling stuck and don’t know how to move forward
- Experienced something traumatic
- I need someone who will listen without judging me
- Adjusting to a serious medical diagnosis of myself or a loved one
How does Counselling and Psychotherapy work?
There are many and varied theories that exist to explain the underlying assumptions of the human condition, and what is believed to cause symptoms.
Short term counselling can work well to reduce symptoms, while longer term therapy can be effective in uncovering the deeper root cause of a problem. Some theories lean more heavily on technique, and others more heavily on the healing power of the relationship.
Regardless of whether counselling is short or longer term, it is generally agreed that the relationship between therapist and client is very important. I believe it is vital that you feel comfortable entering into a therapeutic relationship. And that there is not a one size fits all therapist. The reality is we click or connect with some people better than others. This chemistry subtlety depends on the therapists personality and whether you feel safe talking to and confiding in this person.
What are the different approaches to Counselling and Psychotherapy?
There are many different scientific and empirically tested and recognised approaches to therapy. My approach to therapy is based on particular client needs, symptoms and personality, as well as my own personality. Although different therapeutic approaches are generally seen as distinct, the process and the theories often overlap. I believe that rigidly adhering to one therapy may limit results and miss the whole picture. Hence I sometimes borrow tools from different modalities if they best fit a client at a particular time.
Approaches I am oriented to in therapy include:
- Attachment Based Therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Developmental Model of Couples Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Mindfulness Based Therapy
- Person Centred Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
- Systemic Therapy
Issues I work with in therapy include:
- Anxiety
- Adolescent/Teenager Issues
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse/Violence
- Emotional Disturbance
- Family Issues
- Grief & Loss
- Life Adjustment & Transitions
- Marital Issues
- Parenting Issues
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
- Suicidal Ideation
- Traumatic Stress
- Trauma and PTSD
What can I expect when I get started in therapy?
Taking the first step to seek support can be intimidating and takes great courage. Let me tell you what to expect to ease any fears and answer any concerns you might have.
Making Contact
Firstly, you will either email me or call me, leaving a message letting me know you are looking into counselling. I will get back to you as soon as is possible. I will give you a call back and we will talk for a few minutes. We can get to know each other, determine if I am at least initially, the right person to assist you, and talk about some basic business up front. If you decide to take the next step, we will set up an appointment to meet.
Forms
Before your first appointment I will email you some forms that you will need to fill out and bring with you at our first session. There are four documents, three are forms you will need to complete and bring with you to our first session. I will give you clear guidance about these forms in my email to you. They will take 10 to 15 minutes to fill out.
First Session
Our first appointment is not a normal therapy session, rather it is an intake assessment. The intake assessment is for me to obtain information about you, your background, as well the problems that you are facing. After learning about your issues, I will then give you feedback and recommendation for intervention. The intake also helps you assess whether you feel comfortable working with me and to decide whether or not to commit to counselling following the intake. Should you then wish to proceed with therapy, we will set a date for the next session, where we would work on identifying goals for therapy and discuss your issues further.
Our intake session is typically longer than a standard therapy session to allow us time to cover some of your history and that of your problem. Individual Intake is typically 75 minutes and Couples Intake is typically 100 minutes in length at our initial intake session.
I will also go through the forms I emailed and that you filled out in more detail. The Policy, Rights & Consent form outlines your rights in therapy, the expectations and requirements of treatment, and must be signed as a legal consent for treatment before the counselling relationship can begin.
Length of Counselling
Most often, sessions are scheduled for once a week in the beginning. Once we have decided to work together I ask clients to commit to 8 sessions. This will vary depending on your individual circumstances. After a few sessions I will be able to give you an idea of the length of therapy to achieve your goal. This depends on the type of symptoms you are experiencing, how long you have had your symptoms, and how much stress you are experiencing. If you want to expedite your counselling process, I can give you homework assignments to do between sessions, suggest books to read, and ask you to reach out to additional sources for support.
In individual counselling, our first session will be for 75 minutes while I am getting to know you and your problem. Following our sessions will be for 60 minutes in length.
In couples/family counselling, our first session will be for 100 minutes and there after 90 minutes in length. On occasion, family sessions may be scheduled for longer and pro rated in 15 minute blocks.
Payment
Payment is due at the end of each consultation and can be made by cash or bank transfer.
