Frequently Asked
Questions

Counselling is a safe, non-judgemental space to explore challenging emotions, behaviours or life situations. It is a collaborative process between you and a licensed counselling therapist. By taking direction from you, the therapist will help you make sense of the issues you wish to address and set you on a pathway towards healing and wellness. You determine the length, pace and depth of your experience with your therapist.

The first session will focus on helping you understand how counselling works, to review how the sessions will proceed and what confidentiality entails. It is an opportunity for me to get to know you and your story and learn about the issues you would like to address.

1. Fear of stigma

The reality is that a negative stigma surrounding mental health is still very pervasive. Because the founders of psychology tended to label mental health issues as abnormal, people are still wary of what happens behind closed doors of a therapist’s office. Many people have a difficult time admitting that they need professional help because they don’t want to be seen by others as “crazy," unfit, or incapable of solving their life problems on their own. This fear of being seen as “less than” is an extremely strong force that keeps people from seeking therapy.

The truth is that people choose to come to therapy for all kinds of reasons. Some people are looking for more insight, more self-awareness and tools to improve their overall life satisfaction. People who choose therapy may see the value in working on themselves and are insightful to know if and when they may be in over their heads. Life is full of difficult events, decisions, and transitions. The idea that life is meant to be managed solely on one’s own is antiquated.

2. Fear of diagnosis 

The main misconception regarding diagnosis is that once you’re diagnosed, you will maintain that diagnosis forever. This is simply not true. With more than 300 different mental health diagnoses, only a small percentage of those are considered to be lifelong. In addition, counselling therapists do not formally diagnose clients.

3. Fear of always being in therapy

Just like there is a misconception surrounding diagnosis, likewise there is a false belief that once you pursue therapy you will always be in therapy. In reality, therapy is one of the few relationships in which the main goal is to say "goodbye."

The amount of time spent working with a therapist will vary greatly depending on the issues someone is working through, their commitment to therapy/making therapy a priority, completion of outside homework assignments, and the type of therapy provided. Some people choose to continue to work with a therapist after their presenting issues have resolved, in order to further their self-exploration or begin work on other areas of their life. This choice is always up to the client.

4. Fear of being judged

Many clients are nervous about coming to the first session because they are afraid of being judged.

Therapists undergo specific training to create a safe, therapeutic environment. Besides being taught how to cultivate warmth, unconditional positive regard, and a nonjudgmental atmosphere, current therapists are also required to go through multicultural studies, which increases our insight into the variety of cultural norms that exist in our country.

Some therapists also pursue additional education in specific cultural niches to ensure an open and safe environment for everyone. Good therapists are very cautious in bringing their own biases and judgments into sessions.

5. Fear of opening up to a stranger

Trust me. As therapists, we get it. It can be really uncomfortable opening up to a complete stranger. It’s kind of an unnatural process to go into a room with someone you’ve never met and share some very personal content. But here’s the thing: the therapeutic relationship is beneficial specifically for that reason. The relationship you form with a therapist is a blank slate. We serve as an outside perspective. We are not emotionally involved with you and, for the most part, are not personally affected by the decisions you make.

What’s more, we aren’t at liberty to discuss your issues with other people unless you give us permission to, or other specific criteria have been met. We know this can be difficult for people, which is why most of us are patient and put the ball in your court to decide how much you share and when. Good therapists know how to dance with your discomforts and put more value in organic trust than forcing you into a situation where you clearly aren’t comfortable yet.

6. Fear of confronting the issue

Just like with anything else, people can continue to put off the inevitable regardless of how much evidence they have supporting the fact they need to make a change. In regards to therapy, sometimes people find it easier to deny there is a problem, or they avoid it all together. They may have expectations or beliefs of what will happen if they do confront the issue. They may also be fearful of the emotions it may bring up, so they avoid, put off, or deny it at all costs.

From time to time, some issues can resolve themselves. That doesn’t always happen, and only you know if a problem continues to persist. If a problem doesn’t seem to go away, or you find yourself in the same pattern over and over again, it may be time to warm up to the idea of confronting the issue with the help of a professional.

For individuals, a 50 minute session is $150 including HST.

For couples, a 50 minute session is $200 including HST.

For group sessions, a 1 hour 40 minute session is $100 including HST.

Check with your insurance provider to see if you have coverage for psychology/counselling services. Many providers cover these services now.

I am a Licensed Counselling Therapist, LCT-C, certified by the New Brunswick College of Counselling Therapists. https://www.cctnb.ca

I am also a Canadian Certified Counsellor, C.C.C., accredited by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). https://www.ccpa-accp.ca

I am bound by the principles and ethics governed by the above associations. Please feel free to reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns.

The number of sessions is dependent on the presenting issue(s), the depth to which you wish to engage in the therapeutic approach, your engagement in the sessions and the work between sessions and your financial situation and insurance coverage. Some clients come for only one session and others for multiple years. On average, most clients see their therapists for 6-12 weeks.