Starting counselling, for many of us, is a freaky enough proposition: why add to the stress by keeping the counselling process secret? Writing about counselling and its myriad facets is at the heart of my articles, fuelled by a drive to make information about counselling transparent and accessible. I write about other things psychology-related too, to mix things up.

Therapy & You

Managing While Your Therapist Is Away

January 2024 In Therapy & You

Therapists’ scheduled time can impact clients. Proactive steps can help reduce the impact.

The Higgledy-Piggledy Therapy Schedule

October 2023 In Therapy & You

When random therapy schedules don’t support your growth (and what to do instead).

How Often Should I Go To Therapy?

September 2023 In Therapy & You

Addressing the common question of how often should you ideally be meeting with your therapist.

In Arrears: When You Owe Your Therapist Money

August 2023 In Therapy & You

A dive into the generally untalked-about world of unpaid counselling sessions.

Zoom Fatigue in the Counselling Context

Understanding how Zoom fatigue can show up in the counselling context and exploring strategies to mitigate its effects.

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Self-Help vs. Therapy: How to Choose

An exploration of some of the reasons why you might choose self-help, therapy, or a combination of both.

The Dark Side of Online Booking

February 2023 In Therapy & You

Could there possibly be anything negative about online booking? It’s complicated.

Is In-Person Counselling Dead?

The rise of virtual therapy leaves an old-time counsellor continuing to contemplate the future of in-person counselling.

Multitasking In Counselling Sessions

The changing counselling landscape has also witnessed an uptick in multitasking during counselling appointments. We explore that here, without judgement.

Rare, But Aware: Client Exploitation in the Counselling Relationship

An in-depth look at the relatively uncommon problem of client exploitation by therapists. Next steps for accessing help are also discussed.

Counsellor or Clinic: What’s Right For You?

June 2022 In Therapy & You

As private counselling options have increased to meet public demand, some of us wonder whether we should see a solo therapist or alternatively, choose a counselling clinic.

Can I Contact My Therapist In-Between Sessions?

There’s no rule that says that you can’t contact a therapist in between sessions. But it’s not always clear about whether or not this is the best course of action.

Finding a Therapist, Version 2.0

I revisit this topic 12 years later and in the process learn that teaching others how to find a therapist and finding one myself are two very different experiences.

Do Counsellors Have It All Together?

Counsellors have their own life issues: it’s part of being human. What does this mean for counselling clients?

The Normalization of Therapy

February 2022 In Personal Growth, Therapy & You

The normalization of therapy in our society, including “proactive therapy,” is all good, right? Yes! (mostly).

Counselling Appointments: Who Needs Them Most?

November 2021 In Therapy & You

When you’re wondering whether you should give up your counselling appointment for another client you don’t even know.

Counselling Consent Forms: Just a Bunch of Gobbledegook?

September 2021 In Therapy & You

Everything you ever wanted to know (or not) about counselling consent forms.

The Therapy Threat: Counselling Ultimatums and Why They Suck

When engaging in counselling is, or feels forced, it’s rarely a good thing.

Why Is My Therapist Taking Time Off Again?!

Reasons for counsellor absences with some possible benefits for clients too.

When Loved Ones Are a Focus in Counselling

Navigating the sometimes-difficult choice of talking about a loved one in counselling.

Catching a Counselling Appointment

May 2021 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

Tips and tricks for securing a counselling appointment when times are tough.

What To Expect When You Reach Out To A Counsellor

March 2021 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

A counsellor’s attempt to take the mystery out of what happens after you reach out to a therapist. Possible solutions to common problems are provided too.

How To Book A Counselling Appointment

February 2021 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

An in-depth look at how to contact a counsellor and book a counselling session.

Decisions, Decisions: When You Don’t Know What To Talk About In Counselling

January 2021 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

When we don’t know what to talk about in a counselling session: reasons and solutions.

Boo! I Got Spooked By My Counsellor!

October 2020 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

What do you do when you spot your counsellor in public? The answer has more to do with your counsellor’s response, than yours.

Virtual Is Reality: The Changing Counselling Office

August 2020 In Therapy & You

What happens to the counselling room when we take the therapy experience online or by phone?

Session-Talk or Session, Talk?

February 2020 In Therapy & You

The decision to talk about what happens in your counselling sessions with another human being is a personal one.

Why Waiting Lists?

November 2019 In Anxiety, Depression, Therapy & You

A deep dive into why counselling waiting lists exist and how to navigate them.

When You’re Seeing More Than One Therapist At A Time

The pluses and perils of seeing more than one counsellor at a time.

Talking Turkey About Couples Counselling

September 2019 In Relationship Issues, Therapy & You

A counsellor’s lowdown on some hard truths about couples counselling; when we’re aware of our biases we can change up couples counselling in positive ways.

“I’m Too Upset To Go To Counselling!”

Understanding the seemingly paradoxical, yet common, dilemma of being too upset to go to counselling.

“My Counsellor Fired Me!”

When your therapist suggests that your counselling end: why this can happen and what to do next.

I Wanna Fire My Therapist!

June 2019 In Therapy & You

Understanding when and why it might be appropriate to fire your therapist.

When Your First Counselling Appointment Doesn’t Work Out

May 2019 In Therapy & You

Understanding the single-session phenomenon and how to proceed to session two.

Welcome To My (Counselling) World

February 2019 In Anxiety, Therapy & You

Enter (and be comfortable) in the Willow Tree Counselling world.

“What Kind of Counsellor Do I Need?”

Figuring out what ‘type’ of counsellor or counselling you need is often not as straightforward as it would initially seem.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock: What’s Up With Your Counsellor’s Clock?

October 2018 In Therapy & You

The clock in your counsellor’s office: what it’s about and why it matters to your therapy.

How to Save Bags of Money On Counselling (Or, How To Stop Making Your Counselling More Expensive Than It Needs To Be)

August 2018 In Therapy & You, Uncategorized

My lowdown on strategies that will help you save money on counselling costs and maximize the value you receive from your counselling.

The Dilemma of Dual: Dual Relationships in Counselling

An in-depth look at the situation of dual relationships in a counselling context.

Counselling: Picture Perfect?

June 2018 In Therapy & You

It can be common to approach counselling thinking that one has to present a curated image—the kind of image we might pull out when company’s […]

Choosing Counselling: What Does This Say About Me?

May 2018 In Therapy & You

Self-stigmatization can be a big barrier when seeking counselling. We can move through these feelings and surprise ourselves along the way!

Therapist 911?

April 2018 In Therapy & You

Understanding the differences and similarities between getting help from a counsellor versus a crisis service.

The Big Drain: What To Do When Counselling Leaves Us Feeling Wiped Out

March 2018 In Therapy & You

This article is for anyone who has felt wiped by a counselling session and wondered about it, or for those who might be holding back from counselling because of this fear.

Taking Stock: When to Try Counselling?

November 2017 In Therapy & You

There are a number of components that can influence the choice to proceed with therapy.

Going On A Therapy Vacation?

September 2017 In Therapy & You

Defining a therapy vacation may seem a little obvious, as in, it’s time away from therapy…But when I ponder this question, I pick up on a number of elements that make this question more nuanced than it actually seems at first glance.

Seeking Challenge in Counselling: How Much is Right For You?

August 2016 In Therapy & You

In assessing therapeutic fit, a key question is whether you wish your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences to be challenged by the counsellor and if so, how much?

Who Goes For Counselling?

July 2016 In Therapy & You

The question of what ‘kind’ of person goes to counselling is one that may come up when trying to decide if counselling is right for you. It is, however, a question with no definitive answer, because there is no typical counselling client: it could be anyone. 

The Shackles That Bind: Breaking Free From Stigma

June 2016 In Therapy & You

Understanding and moving past stigma.

Open, Closed or Somewhere In-Between? Self-Disclosure in Counselling

May 2016 In Therapy & You

The fear of self-disclosure may be one of the biggest barriers to choosing counselling. But there are options.

Asking For Help: Risk and Reward

If seeking help were easy, people would just do it; it takes a lot of fortitude to reach out to a therapist. 

Counselling Confidentiality: An In-Depth Look

Digging deep into the topic of confidentiality in counselling.

Digging Deeper: Understanding Therapeutic Fit

January 2016 In Therapy & You

What makes a counselling relationship strong, why that’s so important and what to do when the fit isn’t right.

Counselling: More Than Just Feeling Better?

December 2015 In Therapy & You

People are diverse and their emotional responses to counselling are just as diverse.

Are We There Yet? (Is My Counselling Done?)

July 2015 In Therapy & You

When and how to know when your counselling is done.

Phone Counselling: Emotional Barrier Buster?

June 2015 In Therapy & You

Phone counselling may have the power to break down the emotional barriers that keep some of us out of counselling offices.

Counselling Ruptures: Crisis or Opportunity?

April 2015 In Therapy & You

Ruptures in the therapy relationship do happen. What’s a client to do?

Counselling Homework: Shame Magnet or Road to Success?

March 2015 In Therapy & You

Deciding which option works best for you–whether it be homework or homeworklessness–can spark self-reflection around what you want out of counselling.

Cutting the Cord: When to Say Goodbye to Your Therapist

December 2014 In Therapy & You

When your counselling has gone well but you’re not sure when to end things.

How to Get the Most Out of a Counselling Consultation

November 2014 In Therapy & You

How to prepare for an initial meet-and-greet with a therapist.

Therapeutic Fit: What to Look For

October 2014 In Therapy & You

Things to look for in finding a counsellor who is the right fit for you.

Counselling: How Weird Is That?!

September 2014 In Therapy & You

On making the mental leap to discuss deeper, personal issues with the counsellor, who is also technically a stranger.

“Am I Covered?” : Understanding Your Counselling Options

July 2014 In Therapy & You

Knowing your coverage options when it comes to counselling.

When Your Loved One Won’t Get Help

June 2014 In Therapy & You

You’ve begged, you’ve cajoled, you’ve reasoned, you’ve researched and you’ve even offered to call yourself and transport them there. And still they say no.

Why Your Counsellor Is Not Your Friend

Understanding boundaries in the therapeutic relationship.

Counselling’s Million Dollar Question

February 2014 In Therapy & You

How much counselling do you need?

Counselling Is Not For Everyone

August 2013 In Therapy & You

Counselling is not for everyone; it works best when the person believes that it could help them or is an approach that inherently makes sense to them.

Truth Talking: The Role of Honesty in Counselling

June 2013 In Therapy & You

How client and counsellor honesty affects the counselling experience.

Facing the Fear of Judgement in Counselling

May 2013 In Therapy & You

You may feel tremendous fear that your counsellor will judge you, but will they?

Please Tell Me What to Do!! The Role of Advice in Counselling

April 2013 In Therapy & You

Because distress is often high when we start counselling, it’s normal to say to the therapist, “Please tell me what to do!”  You want things to be better. Yesterday.

Your Counselling Bill of Rights

February 2013 In Therapy & You

When committing to counselling, it is important to know your rights.

Intermittent Therapy: Is it For You?

January 2013 In Therapy & You

This article is intended to speak to those who may benefit from counselling off and on throughout the life cycle, whether that is twice or several times.

Helping the Helper

When you help people for a living, it can be difficult to ask for help.

How To Fire Your Therapist

July 2012 In Therapy & You

If I’ve done my job correctly, I will have helped clients help themselves, ultimately rendering my role as a counsellor obsolete.

Are You a Counselling Virgin? – What You Need to Know About Starting Therapy

May 2012 In Therapy & You

So you’ve gone to all the hard work of finding a therapist. Now what?

Assumptions for Therapy: Can You Relate?

April 2012 In Therapy & You

I’m writing about the attitudes that many of us bring to the start of therapy.

Ten Tips For Getting the Most Out of Therapy

May 2011 In Therapy & You

Strategies to augment your therapy experience.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Health Care Experience

August 2010 In Therapy & You

Whether you are seeing a physician, counsellor, physiotherapist or other health professional, here are my tips for getting the most out of your visits.

Finding A Therapist

January 2010 In Therapy & You

Things to look for in your search for a therapist who is right for you.