Services & Programs

Counselling Overview

Our counsellors (registered psychologist and clinical social workers) support with warmth, understanding, respect, non-judgement, empathy, support, safety, and encouragement during counselling and training sessions. Our counsellors focus sessions around conscious/unconscious emotional and behavioral patterns. Distorted thought and belief patterns, and unresolved issues create dysfunction. Those patterns may be obvious, or not, to the client. The therapist’s journey is to assist the client in becoming more aware/conscious of these patterns and their consequences. Dysfunctional patterns impact one’s ability to achieve wholeness and wellness. Research supports that finding.

Research reports that unresolved issues and emotions create stress which impacts physical and mental health. Resolving and changing these issues can help people achieve greater authenticity and a sense of wellbeing. Our counsellors utilize a wide range of evidence-based techniques and processes to work with the conscious and unconscious mind. Each counsellor matches techniques to the client’s need/s.

Counselling Session/s:

People come into counselling for a wide variety of reasons, i.e., anxiety, depression, relationships, workplace issues, but they also come in as they wish to maintain a healthy life perspective. Each counselling session is built around the needs for the individual, couple, or group. Judy focuses the session around the client’s goals, and conscious and unconscious patterns. Distorted patterns of thoughts, beliefs, and unresolved issues create dysfunction, distort authenticity, and bring chaos. 

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The client will outline pertinent background, the reason they are seeking counselling and counselling goals they wish to achieve during the initial intake session. Our counsellors will work with you to assess where you are at and to develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan is determined based on your goals. The counselling plan is “in your hands”, meaning you will determine how often you come, and at what rate you wish to work through your issues. Homework and readings are assigned to assist you in moving forward. Clients are encouraged to participate in homework assignments in order to build internal awareness and new strategies. 

The counselling environment is a small microcosm where you begin to learn new cognitions and behaviors. You are encouraged to gently apply these strategies and integrating your new learnings. Life provides feedback and with this “feedback” your “plan” can be adjusted, successes celebrated, and resources strengthened or added. Check-ins will be conducted to determine where you are at in the process, review and ascertain goal achievement, and make any adjustments to your treatment plan. Judy encourages people to be patient with themselves, as change takes time. Small incremental change is valuable. It gives people the opportunity to integrate life changes in manageable chunks. When a person becomes vulnerable, in a counselling session, that supports the process of releasing them from their “inner prisons”.

Informed Consent

Informed consent and the parameters of counselling are covered in the first session. The client has the right to confidentiality, that means the session is confidential and nothing about the session is disclosed to anyone, unless the client gives approval. The client’s records are kept confidential and protected. The client is asked to be responsible for completing homework; come prepared to sessions, with goals or issues they wish to work on; advise at least 24-hours prior to their session if they are unable to attend; pay at their session, unless they are covered by an insurance company that Judy direct bills; and be respectful. Session length is 50 minutes, which includes payment and booking of any additional sessions. Clients are respectfully asked to maintain the 50-minute protocol so that the next clients are able to attend their sessions on time. 10 minutes are utilized to complete client notes, disinfect the office, and give a small break between clients. Fees are $160 per session. If during the session the client states that they may harm themselves or others; ethical guidelines must be followed. Self-harm is assessed and best protocol is determined. If a child reports harm, in any way, that must be reported. Children and adolescents must have approval of both parents to attend sessions; that must be provided in writing. That approval is valid for 6 months. If the client wants information about their progress, sessions, or assessment provided to i.e., physician/s, schools, then written permission to exchange information must be obtained. Clients have the right to cease counselling when they chose. 

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Our counsellors treat clients with respect and dignity. Counsellors remain impartial, and non-judgmental, especially when working with couples, however your counsellor will confront issues as they arise. Our counsellors cannot guarantee your anonymity, meaning someone in close proximity of the office may recognize you, however again guarantees your confidentiality. Music plays in the waiting room to support client confidentiality.  Our counsellors utilize evidenced-based treatments. Our counsellors review treatment plans and goals regularly.