Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need counselling?
If you’re interested in counselling, you are probably facing specific challenges in a relationship or job; with a decision you need to make; around a major loss in your life; or you may have a more subtle, low-grade, general feeling of unease that you can’t seem to shake.
You may be feeling emotionally overwhelmed or stuck, and be reacting with emotional outbursts, or by shutting down your feelings altogether.
You've probably tried many ways on your own, or with the help of family or friends, to figure out and fix whatever you think is not working for you, but aren’t getting the results you want.
If the discomfort you’re experiencing is feeling intolerable, and you are ready for real change, then professional counselling might be for you.
What are your fees?
60 minute introductory consultation: $135 (including GST/HST)... going up to $140 in summer 2023
60 minute individual session: $135 (including GST/HST)... going up to $140 in summer 2023
Groups: Approximately $45 per hour.
As a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC, I am covered by most insurance policies in Ontario and BC.
How long will I need counselling for?
How long you stay in counselling depends on your needs, goals, and budget.
If you're hoping for lasting change with significant life challenges, then at least 10-12 weekly or bi-weekly sessions may be recommended.
In counselling, your goals come first. We will discuss your goals in an ongoing way, and come up with a plan that offers you the support you need to best meet them.
What can I expect during my introductory consultation?
When you come for an introductory consultation, we will assess your needs, and figure out together what support you might need to meet them.
I’ll typically ask you to tell me about the challenges you’ve been facing, what emotional and physical responses you have been experiencing, how you've been coping, and your history related to these challenges and responses. We will also discuss your hopes, expectations, and goals for counselling.
I will also typically ask you about what’s been going well in your life, and what coping strategies have been helpful to you.
If you’ve been in counselling before, I’ll ask you what worked well for you, and what didn’t.
I’ll provide ample time for you to ask questions you might have about me, my training, the approaches I use, the counselling process, fees, and any other questions you might have.
I’ll also provide referrals to other professionals and resources that might be of interest to you.
What methods do you use?
In addition to my Masters in Counselling from OISE/UofT (2005), here are some of the approaches that I’ve trained in and draw on to meet your individual needs and goals:
Dr. Robert Neimeyer's Portland Institute for Loss and Transition: https://www.portlandinstitute.org/
Columbia Center for Complicated Grief: https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu
Family Systems Theory: https://www.goodtherapy.org/family-systems-therapy
Somatic Experiencing: https://traumahealing.org/
Emotion Focusing Techniques: https://focusingresources.com/
Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/
Tara Brach's Radical Compassion: https://www.tarabrach.com/
Gabor Mate's Addiction Recovery: https://drgabormate.com/about/
Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication: https://www.cnvc.org/
Feminist Approaches to Counselling: http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/feminist-therapy
Diversity Approaches to Counselling: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/cdcp/
Irvin Yalom’s Group Psychotherapy: http://www.goodtherapy.org/famous-psychologists/irvin-yalom.html
Carl Jung’s Depth Psychology: http://www.cgjungpage.org/
Marion Woodman’s BodySoul Rhythms: https://mwoodmanfoundation.org/
Circle Process: http://www.livingjusticepress.org/
Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects: http://www.joannamacy.net/
Larry Nusbaum’s Inner Guidance Therapy: lawrencenusbaum@hotmail.com
The Grief Recovery Method: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/
If you have any further questions about my training or approaches, don't hesitate to contact me by phone or email.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me, and what if you’re not?
Research shows that what we call “therapeutic fit” is the most important aspect of our counselling relationship when it comes to reaching your goals.
Although it’s normal to feel nervous during the first few sessions, a “good fit” means that you feel safe, accepted, respected, and heard in our time together.
"A good fit" also means that you feel a strong sense of agency in your counselling experience, that you’re in the driver’s seat at all times.
It means that you can ask questions, refuse anything that I offer, and bring up anything that may not be working for you, or that feels difficult between us.
My aim is that you feel a deep sense of connection and trust between us. However, if you don’t feel this way for any reason at any time, I encourage you to bring it up, and I will do whatever I can to help work it through.