What Is Counselling?

Counselling is a place to talk openly about what's happening in your life, make sense of what you're experiencing, and explore what might help.

You don't need a diagnosis, a crisis, or even a clear idea of what you want to work on before coming to counselling.

People seek counselling for many different reasons — anxiety and worry, grief, relationship difficulties, stress, life changes, feeling overwhelmed, getting stuck in familiar patterns, or simply not feeling quite like themselves.

What Does Counselling Look Like?

There isn't one set way a counselling session has to go.

Sometimes you may need somewhere to talk through something that's been weighing on you. Other times, we might slow things down and look more closely at a pattern, relationship, thought or reaction that's been difficult to understand or change.

Depending on what feels useful, we may also explore practical strategies, grounding, mindfulness, reflection exercises or gentle body awareness.

Counselling is collaborative. You remain part of the decision-making about what we focus on and how we work together.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

The terms counselling and psychotherapy are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are important differences in Ontario.

The title counsellor is not regulated by a provincial regulatory college in Ontario. Psychotherapy, however, includes a controlled act under Ontario law when specific criteria are met and can only be performed by professionals authorized to do so.

My work focuses on counselling rather than diagnosis or the controlled act of psychotherapy.

I am a Registered Professional Counsellor (Provisional) with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA) and practise according to its requirements for ethical practice, supervision and continuing professional development.

If your needs fall outside my scope or competence, we'll talk about that openly and, when appropriate, I can recommend seeking support from another professional.

Is Counselling Right for Me?

Counselling may be worth considering if you'd like somewhere to:

Talk through something that's been difficult to carry on your own
Better understand your thoughts, feelings or patterns
Work through grief, stress, relationship difficulties or change
Find practical ways of responding to anxiety or overwhelm
Explore what you want or what might need to change
Have a conversation where you don't need to pretend everything is fine

You don't have to know whether counselling is the "right" kind of support before contacting me.

A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk about what you're looking for, answer any questions you have, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.