Session type
Waiting Room
75-Minute Session
Individuals
Ideal for people who are looking for more time to express their concerns. Less time pressure when you feel that there is a lot of ground to cover. This session length allows more time for goal setting and planning, or if needed, crisis intervention.
Couples
Mandatory session length for couples.
50-Minute Session
Standard session for those who want a concentrated therapy appointment and feel that their concerns can be addressed within this time frame.
25-Minute Session
For established clients who have met their therapy goals and are wanting to maintain their gains long-term.
All session lengths refer to the actual counselling time you receive. Time used for scheduling appointments, payment and other relevant tasks never cut into the time reserved for your counselling and occur after the counselling portion of the session is complete.
A complete list of session fees is located on the Fees & Funding page.
Session frequency
People often ask, “How often do I need to come for therapy?” To help you determine this, it is important to keep in mind: your current situation, your goals, and the rate of change you are seeking. I offer three frequency options to help you make the choice that is right for you. I am also happy to make a specific recommendation for you or collaborate with you on other frequency options that you feel would work better.
Intensive Therapy
Ideal for people currently in crisis who require intense, immediate attention. Two sessions per week. 75- or 50-minute sessions typically work best here.
Making Gains
Opportunity to make solid gains and meet your therapy goals. One session a week. Choose between 50 or 75-minute session format.
Moderate Support
Designed for people who are seeking to maintain gains made in therapy and /or begin to explore goals more independently. One session every two weeks. Choose between 75, 50 or 25-minute sessions.
Maintaining Gains
Almost all goals have been reached but you may have a concern about maintenance over the long term. One session a month or one session every 6 weeks. Choose between 75, 50 or 25-minute sessions.
Counselling process
Initial session
Your first session will typically include a discussion of the issues that brought you to counselling and of your related feelings and thoughts—it is a time for establishing rapport and for you to determine whether this is a comfortable therapeutic ‘fit.’ At this time, we will also set some initial goals for counselling. You are encouraged to share your feedback to ensure that the counselling is benefiting you. I may also share some initial impressions.
Second session
We begin with a brief review of last week’s session, attend to any pressing issues, and further clarify your goals for counselling. Together, we will develop a plan for achieving these goals and identify steps along the path. For best results, the action you take will be a combination of in-session discussion and practice outside of the session.
Subsequent sessions
Salient issues, as identified by you, are discussed in further detail. Progress in meeting goals is reviewed regularly and mutual feedback continues. I provide both short-term and long-term counselling depending on client prerogative and the issues at hand.
When is my counselling complete?
Sessions are complete when we are satisfied that the issues that you came to counselling for have been sufficiently addressed or resolved. Ideally this is determined collaboratively and with some discussion in advance of leaving, however I fully support any reason you may have for terminating therapy. Should you identify a problem outside of my realm of expertise, I will work to present you with the names of alternative counselling professionals.