Q: What is psychotherapy and counselling?
A: Psychotherapy and counselling are methods and processes to help individuals who are experiencing psychological distress in their lives. Therapy typically involves an assessment where the counselor seeks to understand problems from the client’s perspective and how and why the particular difficulties have evolved. These processes enable you to develop a better understanding of your abilities, beliefs, difficulties, motivations or worries in conjunction with a therapist. In general, it is a once-a-week, 50-minute meeting during which issues affecting your life are discussed and explored. Much of what is therapeutic takes place on a deeper emotional level.
Q: When should you seek help?
A: When you are not satisfied with your life you may want to consider consulting a therapist. Personal as well as professional issues that interfere with the quality of your life are all good reasons for considering therapy.
Q: Why psychotherapy and counselling?
A: Psychotherapy and counselling can facilitate a variety of personal changes that will lead to a more satisfying and fulfilled life. This typically means understanding and changing behaviours and patterns that keep you in your current state. Therapy will assist you in making positive life changes, improving your relationships, conquering fears/anxiety and reducing depression. It can also help developing the positive aspects of life such as love, creativity, fulfillment and success in your personal and professional life.
Q: Do my problems require professional help?
A: Many people have associated the use of therapy with some form of ‘mental illness’ or for those that have serious problems. As a result, many individuals do not explore the possibility of therapy and counselling, believing their problems are not serious enough to warrant professional help. The opposite is often true – those with less severe issues often benefit the most from therapy due to their ability to make more rapid changes.
Q: How long does therapy and counselling take?
A: The therapeutic approach varies depending on each individual client’s circumstances and requirements. Length of treatment can vary from a few sessions to longer periods depending on the individual and the issues being addressed. It can often be estimated and discussed by the end of the first session.
Q: What can I expect in the first session?
A: The first session lasts about one hour. We will discuss the issues that seem to be bothering you and determine if therapy can be helpful. If so, we will discuss a preliminary treatment plan, scheduling, and cost. I am trained to choose the most effective approach to fit the needs of the client. All information is treated as confidential, and client details are not disclosed without the client’s permission.
Q: What can I expect to achieve from therapy and counselling?
A: In addition to reducing or eliminating the “symptoms” that brought you to therapy, most people report a variety of changes that lead to a much more satisfying and successful life – greater understanding of self and others; improved relationships with friends, family and many other positive shifts such as career improvements. Through therapy, clients have an opportunity to develop a better understanding of themselves and their difficulties. They can also learn how past relationships may have influenced their ways of thinking, feeling and behaving in the present. Therapy also enables clients to change unhealthy behaviour patterns and improve their lives.