Hopewell Counselling: Your Partner in Mental Health

There are many reasons people look for a counsellor. A lot of my clients describe functioning fairly well in daily life but notice there is a layer of anxiety that makes things more challenging or they're not feeling joy or excitement about life like they once did. They would rather leave things "in the box" but feel there is something missing. Others know that they're struggling but find it scary to talk about things they've never shared with anyone. Sometimes people have been in therapy before but the counsellor didn't have the right approach, wasn't a good fit, or its just time to find someone new. Or it can be very clear that a person needs a counsellor because of something traumatic that has happened to them. In any case, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose to let into the deepest parts of yourself and your experience. I am happy to meet you where you are at and tailor sessions to meet your goals. 

The 15 minute phone consultation is a low pressure way to connect with a counsellor and see if they might be a good fit for you. We'll chat about what you're seeking counselling for and how I might be able to help. You'll be able to hear my voice and ask me questions that give you the information you need. There is no obligation to book a session with me at the end of the call. 

If you decide to book in with me, I will put you into my Hopewell Jane system which will send you all the necessary forms and information. Our first session will be spent going over the informed consent and intake forms, and setting a goal for our work together.  You'll probably feel a bit of anxiety going to the first few sessions because it is new and we won't know each other very well. It is normal to feel that and can be something we work through together. It's important that you feel comfortable so if you decide after a few sessions that we're not a good fit, I am happy to find another counsellor for you. 

If you've experienced trauma, it's important to seek help from a qualified therapist.  Feel free to ask me about my experience and training. I work hard to help my clients to feel safe in sessions with me. I value being trustworthy, transparent, and consistent so that my clients can process things at their speed. We will find coping strategies and grounding tools that help you stay more present while working through different aspects of your story, developing a coherent and compassionate sense of your self. 

Relationships are an important part of our lives, but they can also be challenging. Couples counselling can be  even more vulnerable than individual counselling so it's important to ask about a counsellor's approach to ensuring safety in the sessions. I often compare couples counselling to going swimming in a pool: we want everyone to walk into the shallow end of the pool together. Pacing of sessions is important, making sure that each partner feels safe and seen. I will coach couples in having deeper conversations together, learning how listen to understand and speak to be understood while also learning to care for each other's wounds. This often involves some repair work for previous conflicts that allows for trust to be rebuilt and strengthened.