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What is counselling like? 

Talk therapy with a counsellor can feel a lot like speaking with a trusted friend, with a few important differences:

 

  • Registered counsellors are equipped to provide you with unbiased, judgement-free support, taking into account your unique your personal context (culture, family background, stage in life, responsibilities, history), laying the foundation for deep understanding.

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  • The session is all about you! You don't need to worry about trying not to monopolise the dialogue or being a 'burden'. Instead, you're free to be unapologetically self-focused.

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  • You're guaranteed a safe space to open up and be vulnerable without the fear that your privacy may be breached. 

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  • In counselling, you're empowered to explore your options and insights to make decisions which are right for you. We're here to wholly support your choices.

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Powerful things are happening below the surface when you're able to open up to a counsellor who is fully present and connected with you:

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Emotional attunement - providing validation and support for your feelings, offering corrective experiences for those who have previously faced invalidation and being misunderstood.

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Truth telling - openness and honesty cuts through shame and isolation, empowering you to break free of constraints from the past.

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Unburdening - expressing your thoughts, fears, concerns and inner conflicts - even without immediate solutions - eases pressure and frees up valuable mental space.

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Acceptance - feeling understood and receiving confirmation that your thoughts, feelings, and experiences are not only valid but make sense, especially in your personal context, is deeply affirming. 

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Separation and integration - restructuring your perception of experiences, feelings, and emotions as distinct from your core self, while acknowledging their role, existence and impact, paves the way for personal growth.

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And that's just the basics. 

A typical session

Sessions usually start with a few minutes of casual conversation, allowing you to establish rapport with your counsellor and feel at ease before diving into the reasons for seeking counselling.

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In your initial session, your counsellor will go over what's referred to as the 'counselling contract' - this is about establishing mutual understanding of responsibilities and boundaries, for your safety and for transparency. 

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At this point, your counsellor will ask what you'd like discuss.

 

Whether you're naturally open or prefer more time before delving into deep topics, your counsellor is there to support you at your own pace.

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The structure of a session will vary based on the counsellor's style and modalities used. You'll usually be told when there's only 5 minutes or so left, allowing you the opportunity to request tools, strategies or homework to maximise the benefits of your session.

 

As the client, it's important to know that you always have a choice in shaping the session to ensure you get what you need. Your preferences and comfort are the priority.

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How many sessions? How often? 

This is completely up to you. 

 

You may prefer or require intensive support for a period of time, especially if you're navigating major life events or recovering from complex trauma.

 

On the other hand, a single session may be what you need to help clear your mind. 

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I'm happy to assist you in creating a plan which will address your priorities and work towards achieving your goals. 

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With the convenience of telehealth, you have the flexibility to schedule sessions to fit seamlessly into your routine. No need to worry about logistics like transport or navigating through traffic - this is designed to be as convenient as possible for you.

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