Counselling Process

 
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of counselling. It is important that you feel safe to share with me knowing I can be trusted with your personal information. Everything you say will be held in confidence, except for three things:

  1. First, any discussion about abuse/ neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult will be reported to the authorities for the safety of that person.
  2. Second, any threat to harm yourself or someone else will reported to the authorities for your safety and/or the safety of the person threatened; and
  3. Third, if the court of law requests your records the counsellor will do their best to give a limited summary of your counselling with only the needed information. In some cases full records are required.

I will notify you if for any reason confidentiality must be broken. These exceptions are for your safety, the safety of vulnerable others, and the upholding of the law.

ARE THERE RISKS INVOLVED WITH COUNSELLING?

Counselling may come with risks. Opening up about your pain can sometimes, initially, lead to more pain. Talking about painful memories might lead to unwanted thoughts, strong emotions or tension in relationships at home and at work. In theory, things may get worse before they get better. This is a potential risk in the counselling process worth considering prior to beginning. Please talk to me about any concerns you may have.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES?

One important thing for a client to understand is that counselling requires work from both the counsellor and the client. It requires a willingness to be honest, to build trust, to receive feedback and potentially to make changes in the way you think and act. The level of commitment and effort you put into the counselling process will impact what you get out of it.

HOW LONG WILL COUNSELLING TAKE?

Each counselling session is 50 minutes. Initially you will meet with me once every week. As you begin to improve sessions are scheduled every other week and then once a month until the closure of the counselling process. Depending on your needs, the course of counselling can take anywhere from 6 sessions to more extended periods.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM DONE?

This is a personal choice. You can end the counselling relationship at any time. When you begin to gain insight and skills to better deal with life’s challenges you can communicate this success to me and indicate your desire to bring counselling to closure.

WHAT IF COUNSELLING IS NOT HELPING?

If counselling does not seem to be helping please tell me. The sooner we can discuss this, the better. I will most certainly work with to in order to refer you to another counsellor, doctor or to an alternate service that may be a better fit in helping you. The goal is to get you the help you need, even if that means changing therapists.