ATTUNE

Can people find out that I am seeing a therapist?

Can people find out that I am seeing a therapist? I maintain strict confidentiality with all conversations and materials from our sessions. All information about you is held in the strictest privacy and security. You have the right to control access to any information that I maintain about you. I adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the Code of Ethics of the Candian Association for Music Therapists. My practice follows the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP). In our first meeting, we'll talk about my commitments to provide you with professional and confidential therapy services.

How often do I come to counselling and for how long?

How often do I come to counselling and for how long? Counselling can be a very effective and powerful way to work through pressures, concerns, or issues that are currently a part of your life. DIfferent people take different lengths of time to reach the outcomes they desire. Some issues will involve us working together in short-term sessions. More complex concerns and long-standing patterns may take more time to resolve. Some people find counselling to be an important part of their commitment to self-growth and well-being and maintain an ongoing therapeutic relationship with a counselling therapist. We'll work together to monitor movement toward the outcomes important to you. Most people attend one session per week. I typically suggest meeting every week for several sessions and then gradually spacing appointments a bit further apart. We'll come up with a plan for how often we work together that is sensitive to your schedule and needs.

How do I pay for sessions?

How do I pay for sessions? I offer a variety of therapeutic services. Fees are based on the service offered and session length. Phone Consultation: 15 minutes - No charge Counselling Therapy Session: 60 minutes - $120.00 + HST Music Psychotherapy Session: 90 minutes - $180.00 + HST Couples Counselling Therapy Session: 75 minutes - $150.00 + HST Cash, Interac® Debit, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted for payment of fees. Fees are payable at the start of each session. Some third-party insurers, such as Medavie Blue Cross, Great West Life, and Green Shield Canada, cover fees for counselling therapy services. Please check with your insurance plan administrator or human resources department to confirm if "Counselling Therapy" is covered by your plan. To help you figure out what insurance coverage you have, I suggest asking the following questions when you speak with your insurance provider or Human Resources department:

• Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits?
• Does my health insurance cover Registered Counselling Therapists or Canadian Certified Counsellors?
• Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
• Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
• Do I need written approval (prescription) from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

What can I expect in my sessions?

What can I expect in my sessions? During your sessions, you can expect to talk about what is bringing you into therapy. We'll focus on the pressures, concerns, or issues that are currently a part of your life. Early in our work together, we'll explore how the struggle that has brought you into therapy is affecting you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our conversations aim to help you gain greater awareness of yourself, idenitify strengths you bring to work with the issue, and assess challenges to creating the outcomes you desire. A part of our work together might give you practical skills that help you gain greater clarity, heal old wounds, alleviate suffering, feel better about yourself, and strengthen your relationships. We'll regularly assess our work together and I'll invite your feedback as you move toward greater self-awareness, self-empowerment, and well-being. ​

Why do people seek counselling?

Why do people seek counselling?
People come into counselling for many reasons: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship troubles, childhood trauma, bereavement, work conflicts, stress management, grief and loss, substance abuse, and many more. It's important to remember that coming into therapy doesn't mean you're weak or that you've somehow failed. Seeking help says you have the courage to talk with someone about issues important to you. Counselling is an active, engaged way to work with pressures, concerns, or issues that are currently a part of your life. For many people, working in therapy provides an on-going path toward greater self-awareness, self-empowerment, and well-being. ​

How will I know if you're the right counsellor for me?

How will I know if you're the right counsellor for me? Sometimes you'll know instantly, instictively. More often, choosing someone to work with in therapy can take time. Taking the time to find the right therapist, one who can provide support for issues that are important to you, can be a transformative experience and provide you with the relief you are seeking. The fit between you and me—our therapeutic alliance—is a critical factor in our work together. It can take time to develop a strong alliance—a therapeutic connection that is trusting, non-judgemental, and provides you with opportunitities to explore what has brought you into therapy.

What types of issue can I deal with in counselling?

What types of issue can I deal with in counselling? I offer individual, couple, and group counselling for adults (ages 18+). People come into therapy seeking relief from pressures, concerns, or issues that are currently a part of their lives. My areas of counselling interest and speciality include: Abusive behaviours Addictive patterns Anger management Anxiety Assertiveness / Social skills Body image Caregiver stress Change / Transition Chronic health issues Decision-making Emotional regulation & resilience End of relationship Family violence Gender identity Grief / Loss / Bereavement Intimate partner violence Low mood and depression Male survivors of sexual assault & abuse Personal growth Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / Trauma Relationship communication & conflict Relaxation training Road rage Self-awareness Self-worth / Self-esteem Self-care Sexual/Affectional orientation & identity Sleep disruption & regulation Spiritual exploration Stress management