What to Expect
Therapy is a powerful and rewarding journey that can lead to positive changes in various aspects of your life. However, starting something new can feel a bit intimidating, especially when you're unsure of what to expect. Understanding how the process works can make it easier and help you feel more comfortable.
The direction of our sessions will largely be shaped by what you choose to share with me. You have full autonomy in this process, and I respect your boundaries, allowing you to decide what to discuss and what to keep private.
Each session is 50 minutes long.
The process
Initial phone consultation
When you’re ready to take the first step, please reach out to me via phone or email to schedule a complimentary consultation call. Simply send a brief message with your contact details, and please speak slowly when leaving your phone number so I can respond to you.
This free 15 minute consultation call is a chance for you to get a feel for whether I’m the right counsellor for you.
Effective therapy is built on trust and mutual respect, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with me.
During this call, we’ll briefly discuss your reasons for seeking counselling, and I’ll answer any questions you may have or address any concerns about the process. There’s no obligation to proceed if you don’t feel I’m the right fit for you.
First session
In our first session, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know me better, and I’ll also be learning more about you. We’ll discuss the challenges you’re facing and what changes you hope to make.
That said, nothing is set in stone at this stage, as the focus of our work may evolve as we progress. We’ll regularly review our sessions to ensure that the therapy remains tailored to your needs as they develop.
During the first session, we will also go over the working agreement. I will have already sent this to you (as long as you have email) prior to our meeting. This is your chance to ask any additional questions or clarify anything you might be uncertain about.
Ongoing sessions
I offer both short-term and longer-term therapy, depending on what best suits your needs and preferences. You may choose a brief course of therapy to address a specific issue, or you might opt for longer-term support if you need a more in-depth process. We’ll discuss this at the beginning and continue to review it as therapy progresses.
Everyone’s journey is unique, and the amount of time needed varies from person to person. Ideally, our goal is to work together for as long as it takes to achieve the outcomes you are looking for. However, you are not contracted or obligated to stay with me on your counselling journey.
Therapy is weekly, and is researched as most effective this way. But later in your counselling journey, if you feel ready, we may decide to spread sessions out. For example, after some time you may want to reduce to fortnightly.