What is counselling and what does a typical session look like?

 

While everyone’s experience with counselling is different, just as each person’s life experience is unique, there are some common

things you can expect in a session. 

 

A typical session is 50 minutes long, and begins with you providing your therapist with a brief explanation of what is distressing or concerning you. Your therapist may also ask questions regarding your history or relationships, so treatment can be tailored to your situation and needs. In a session, you expect to be met with compassion, warmth, openness, and non-judgment. 

 

Counselling is not someone telling you what you need to do or what you have to stop doing. It is a collaborative approach where you and your psychologist together, explore strategies, interventions and insights that support change. Sometimes, interventions may be specific such as Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, or Grief RecoveryⓇ. Your psychologist listens to what you are looking to achieve or change through this process and comes up with a treatment plan to help you get there. 

 

Counselling can support you, regardless of what you are going through. It is a safe space to explore barriers to experiencing joy, limitations that are preventing you from feeling confident and happy, and to process deeper experiences that you have been holding on to.