Counselling

Call 514-826-6365 for your free session, or e-mail Nancy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What is Counselling?
Benefits of Counselling
The Counselling Relationship
How do I Know When I Need Counselling?

What is Counselling?

counselling-2 Counselling involves the development of a relationship between a client and a trained professional that focuses on the client’s concerns and difficulties.

It is a process in which individuals have the opportunity to improve upon their understanding of themselves, including their patterns of thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and the ways in which these may have been problematic in their lives.

Counselling also provides individuals with opportunities to examine how to tap into existing resources, or develop new ones, that make for more effective living and relationships. Counselling is a collaborative effort as it involves us working together to identify goals.

Do normal people need counselling? - I thought only “crazy” people seek counselling.

The idea that only “crazy” people seek out counselling is a common myth. In fact, a large segment of society will benefit from counselling at some point in their lives.

Individuals seeking out counselling face normal developmental and life concerns and difficulties managing many diverse issues, including but not limited to:

Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
Identity Concerns
Poor Self-Esteem
Relationship Problems
Loneliness

Counselling provides support, guidance and clarification because sometimes the world can seem pretty “crazy.”

Counselling addresses the issues whenever you feel obstacles are getting in the way of living your life with satisfaction.

Counselling helps show those who choose counselling that they possess the strength and abilities to manage their challenges.

Counselling is an activity where you and I work as a team to make positive changes in your approach to life.

Counselling is a vehicle for strong people who decide to face their challenges directly, rather than continue in the more frightened and “escape”-oriented ways that others use to deal with difficulties.

Benefits of Counselling

Counselling has a long and proven history of assisting people overcome their personal traumas and dilemmas. Counselling can help you work through any personal or relationship “issue” that is troubling you.

Professional counselling is effective because it allows you the time and space to work through your personal or relationship issues in a safe, non-judgmental fashion.

counselling-3 In a supportive, non-threatening counselling environment, I help you sort out and clear up any personal or relationship issues that you might have.

As a highly trained and experienced Counselor - both academically and through the ‘school of life’- I understand people’s motivations, desires, wants and actions. In short, I understand why “people do the things they do and act the way that they do”.

Using this knowledge and experience I focus on assisting you deal with, and work through, your own personal and/or relationship issues and help you to create ways to think more clearly, make better decisions, and to feel better about yourself.

This is achieved by me “walking with you” on your journey and helping to guide you when you want it. By talking through your tension, dilemma or issue you will gain insight, clarity, direction, and power.

Think of me as a Mirror!
Counselling is a unique relationship in which my job is to hold up a mirror in which you can see for you to see yourself. We all have experiences in which we can’t see things about ourselves without a mirror.

Whether our hair is fully combed, whether we have something stuck in our teeth, or whether we have a wound in a hard to see place, we often need mirrors to see these things well enough to do something about them.

And, sometimes, we need someone to hold the mirror so we can see the things that are at more hidden angles.

In addition to knowing at what angles to hold the mirror, I understand that sometimes it takes a while for folks to see what they need.... especially if there are more subtle things needing our recognition.

Most people tend to be hard on themselves (if not downright mean to themselves) which is why I hold the mirror in such a way that the you can see yourself from a caring, supportive, and sympathetic perspective.

Counselling is about reflecting back to you that I hear what you’re saying and providing back to you an opportunity to hear yourself.

Often, hearing one's own thoughts and feelings in another person's words adds a clarity and support that's difficult to grasp when the emotional turmoil simply swims around in our heads without any form.

When people can see the most complete reflection of themselves, pain and all, they are more capable of learning about the details of themselves. With this enhanced perspective, you can make the adjustments needed to make your life more satisfying.

The Counselling Relationship

Sometimes, because I have a lot of experience witnessing human beings in various forms of life challenges, I can ask questions or share observations that are more revealing than those friends or family members might ask or say.

With these new revelations, you’ll make decisions and—with my support - take action toward positive growth in your life.

Thus, our relationship is helpful in and of itself. The Counselling Relationship is a relationship that emerges through a sharing of personal history and exploring powerful emotions.

Confusions
Traumas
Rejections
Hurt
Hopes
Anger
Fears
Abandonment

How Do I Know When I Need Counselling?

It may be an appropriate time to consult with me if you are experiencing any of the following:

Personal issues that interfere with sleep, eating habits, concentration, academic performance, and/or relationships with others
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Persistent worry
Indecisiveness or difficulties making decisions
Prolonged sadness
Loss of control of your life
Feeling depressed, lethargic, or apathetic
Having thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm yourself.
Increased irritability, inappropriate mood swings, angry outbursts
Uncertainty about your choice in your life and career
Concerned about the behaviour of someone else (e.g., partner, family member, peer) and wondering about how or even whether you should intervene
Engaging in bizarre, threatening or dangerous behaviour, violent or other extremely disruptive behaviour (e.g., hostile, threats, assaults).

If you decide that you may wish to explore Counselling as a valuable resource to help you, or someone you care about, simply call or e-mail me to arrange for a confidential and complimentary discussion.