
If it’s your first time getting into counselling, there can be a lot of uncertainty about what to expect. For instance, counselling can come in many forms: couples, individuals, groups, etc. As well as many styles: psychodynamic, mindfulness-based, solution focused. What makes all these styles and forms therapeutic and which should you choose? The good news is there is common thread between them all. Much like how all different exercises styles move us towards the goal of getting fit and healthy, all different counselling styles all help move us towards the goal of health and wellbeing. That is because all counselling styles allow us to understand ourselves in relationship to self, others, and the world, and provides space to heal the wounds of our past. The integration of these experiences, knowledge, and skills from counselling, leads to more adaptability, compassion, and agency to make life affirming choices. However, each person is unique and may prefer some modalities over others. So, it is a process of discovering what’s best for you. For this reason, I like to draw from multiple philosophies and methods to best serve the needs of the client. Whether you are on the top of your game or hitting a low point, I believe almost anyone can benefit from the counselling process.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.“
Victor Frankl