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Individual Counselling

Individual counselling (sometimes called psychotherapy, talk therapy, or treatment) is a process through which clients work one-on-one with a trained mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Individual therapy gives you a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Unlike couples, family, or group therapy, individual therapy focuses solely on you. This allows for a deeper understanding of the issues and more time for developing coping strategies to help you handle difficult situations.  The therapist helps the client understand and cope with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and confidential environment. Individual therapy can have different goals, such as inspiring change, improving quality of life, or self-growth. People may seek individual therapy for help with issues that are hard to face alone, such as anxiety, stress, addiction, abuse, or relationship problems. Individual therapy can also help people learn new skills, such as communication, coping, or problem-solving. Individual therapy can use different approaches or modalities, depending on the therapist's training and the client's needs. Some common types of individual therapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy, humanistic therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Each type of therapy has its own methods, techniques, and benefits.

Support Groups
  • What is counselling, and how can it help me?
    Counseling is a collaborative process between a trained therapist and an individual seeking support. It provides a safe and confidential space to explore personal challenges, emotions, and behaviors. Counseling can help individuals gain self-awareness, develop coping strategies, improve relationships, manage stress, and enhance overall well-being.
  • How do I know if I need counselling?
    It's common to feel uncertain about whether counseling is right for you. If you are experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress that impact your daily life, relationships, or work, counseling may be beneficial. Additionally, if you're facing difficult life transitions, struggling with self-esteem, or seeking personal growth, counseling can provide valuable support and guidance.
  • How long does counselling typically last?
    The duration of counseling varies depending on individual needs and goals. Some individuals may find significant relief and achieve their objectives in a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term counseling. It's important to discuss your expectations and goals with your counselor to determine an appropriate timeframe for your counseling journey.
  • Is counselling confidential?
    Yes, counselling is strictly confidential. Licensed therapists adhere to professional codes of ethics and legal requirements to protect client confidentiality. Information shared during counselling sessions is kept private unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others. Your counselor will explain the limits of confidentiality during your initial session.
  • How do I find the right counselor for me?
    Finding the right counselor is crucial for a positive counseling experience. Start by considering your specific needs and preferences. You can ask for recommendations from trusted individuals, search online directories, or consult with your healthcare provider. When selecting a counselor, consider factors such as their expertise, therapeutic approach, availability, and personal compatibility. It's often helpful to schedule an initial consultation to assess the counselor-client fit before committing to ongoing sessions.
  • What are the general stages of counselling?
    Step 1: Relationship Building: You and your counsellor will get to know each other and build a therapeutic relationship. Step 2: Problem Assessment: The two of you will attempt to define what the primary issues are, what might be at the root of the issues and what to begin working on first. Step 3: Goal Setting: You will set some goals to work towards. Step 4: Counselling Intervention: You and your counsellor will work in a way that works for you towards your initial goals using theories such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), or Narrative Therapyf. Step 5: Evaluation, Termination: You and your counsellor will evaluate how progress is going and work towards next issues or eventual termination of counselling.
  • What are the Benefits of Online/Virtual/Remote Counselling?
    Online therapy is becoming more popular for several reasons, such as: Online therapy may be as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health conditions, according to research. This means that people can receive quality care from the comfort of their own homes, without compromising their outcomes. Online therapy offers access to mental health treatment to people in rural or remote areas, who may not have access to any other form of therapy. Online therapy can also provide accessibility to people with physical limitations or disabilities, who may find it difficult to travel to a therapist's office. Online therapy can be more convenient and flexible than in-person therapy, as it allows people to schedule sessions at times that suit them, and avoid the hassle of commuting, parking, or waiting in a lobby. Online therapy can also reduce the chance of feeling stigmatized or judged by others, as it offers more privacy and anonymity. Online therapy can be more affordable than in-person therapy, as it may have lower fees, or be covered by insurance or employee assistance programs. Online therapy can also save people money on transportation, childcare, or missed work. Online therapy can offer more options and diversity for people who are looking for a therapist who matches their needs, preferences, or identity. Online therapy can also provide more opportunities for experiential and interactive interventions, such as using apps, games, or multimedia. These are some of the benefits of online therapy that may explain why it is becoming more popular. However, online therapy may not be suitable for everyone, and it may have some drawbacks, such as technical issues, lack of personal touch, or ethical concerns. Therefore, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of online therapy before deciding if it is right for you.
  • Cost of Counselling?
    At Caring Connections Counselling, our typical rate for individual, couple, family or child therapy is $180 per 50 minute session (this is considered a 1 hour appointment). We accept Medavie Blue Cross and almost all private health and benefit insurance policies cover a generous portion of it but your individual coverage will vary. We do offer a sliding scale to clients in financial need and are happy to make counselling as accessible as possible. From time to time we have social work or psychotherapy students who can offer quality services at very affordable rates.
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