What To Expect
Be inspired and championed.
Feel supported and encouraged.
Celebrate your victories and keep them coming!
Counselling sessions are either 55 or 80 minutes in length. Typically, these are face-to-face appointments, however, I do work with clients who live in remote areas or who may be barriered (e.g.; post-operative or house-bound) from easily attending in-office appointments.
Prior to our initial counselling session, we will connect via telephone, “Go to Meeting” (HD online video conferencing), GChat or Skype for a brief introductory conversation. This will enable both of us to get a better sense of one another and I will, hopefully, more fully understand how counselling services and support will be of the greatest service to you and your unique circumstances. It is important you work with a counsellor who you feel comfortable trusting and who offers you effective service provision in your area(s) of challenge. I am more than comfortable appreciating that I am not always the best person for the job! In these cases, I provide you with referral names of other counselling professionals (and services) that may better suit your needs and wishes.
Initial Sessions (our first full appointment) are 80 minutes in length. This gives us time to get a full picture of the matter(s) which has brought you to exploring therapeutic change, any relevant (bio/psycho/social, historical or present) influencing factors, and collaboratively develop a so-called “treatment plan”. Essentially, we will determine what it would take for you to decide our work together has been successful and useful. Before getting started, I like to ask my clients what would be different enough for them to, happily and comfortably, “fire” me with a big smile on their face! If ideas started popping to mind as you read this, please write them down!
A few words about counselling therapy:
- “Brief Therapy” is, generally, considered short in duration and solution-focused towards one singular goal for therapy. Most insurance plans ‘cover’ (inadequately) less than 3 appointments annually. This is an area within our health services that desperately needs better funding and easing of service access.
- Often I see clients more frequently at the outset of therapy and then they find a pattern of visitation that suits their needs (therapeutic goals, financial picture, emotional well being, etc.). I have many clients who I’ve seen on and off over the last number of years (depending on life circumstances, etc.). I have also worked with many clients who come solely for a set period of sessions to focus on a singular therapy or psycho-educational goal.
- It is difficult to determine “how much” therapy a person might optimally require or for positive change(s) to occur. Some challenges are more complex than others, some lives are more complex than others, and, frankly, some people are more complex than others. Whatever is determined, it is my strongly held ethical stance that this determination will be client-centered, client-directed, and collaboratively designed by the client(s) I work with and myself.
- Unfortunately, a too often untold possibility that can occur during the outset of counselling is that sometimes ‘things’ can feel worse before they start to feel better. Therapy is a space and process where we are (hopefully) afforded safety and respect while we explore parts and places of our stories that we may have spent a long time avoiding. Initially, this can be painful and/or cause uncomfortable feelings to arise. As your counsellor, I will attend to such and do my utmost to supply you with effective skills, understandings, and practical tools to help you through these potential experiences.
- I ask all clients I work with to get a complete physical examination by their Doctor, or at their local walk-in clinic, at the outset of counselling. This is important for general health, but it is vital in determining whether or not an underlying medical condition(s) may be contributing to, or causing, psychological symptoms. For example, experiences of anxiety (panic attacks, etc.) and depression (low mood and exhaustion, etc.) can be caused by thyroid conditions. Please, get examined and take care of your temple!
- IMPORTANT – All information shared during counselling sessions is strictly confidential. However, there are exceptions when your information may be shared with “outside” authorities – with or without your consent. Namely, in the following cases:
- A counsellor is required, by law, to report abuse of children, elders and the disabled (vulnerable persons);
- My records can be subpoenaed by a Court, or I may be called to testify;
- If your life, or someone else’s life, is in danger then I must notify proper authorities to keep you or them safe.
- FINALLY… before initiating our dialogue in the first session, you will be asked to read some information forms regarding your informed consent to counselling services and my services specifically. Following this, you will be asked to sign a form giving your signature as evidence that you understand the information provided.
Coaching sessions are generally an hour in length.
Session Communication methods:
- Telephone
- In person (at my office in Vancouver)
- Between session email connection available
Step 1 – Situational Analysis
- Where are you now and where do you want to be?
Step 2 – Exploration and Assessment
- Discover how to get more of what you want and less of what you don’t.
- Uncover your assets and off-load your deficits.
Step 3 – Life Design and Implementation
- Build out a plan together to move you forward in creating your new life.
Step 4 – Holding Yourself Up to Life as You Hope to Live it
- Remain accountable to the plan and, when appropriate, course-correct—to keep you on solid track.
Initially, it is optimal to have weekly sessions for the first six to eight weeks. The sessions may then spread to every second week. A minimum three-month commitment, on both our parts, is the industry standard practice. Benefits of Life Coaching accumulate over time.
During our sessions, I will furnish useful feedback and powerful questions. Through our exploration, your insight is increased and we will discover your significant “next-steps”. I frequently enhance your sessions by offering further resource materials. Clients have the option of using state-of-the-art assessment tools.
We will design a customized “map” that will strategically move you into living the life you most aspire to. We will also address any specific challenges that may be standing in the way of your being the person you most hope to be!
Together, we will implement your plan, celebrate your successes, and keep you realizing your goals.
