How Therapy Works
First Appointment(s)
The first one to three 50-minute appointments are considered clinical interviews. I will ask you questions and may ask you to complete questionnaires. This information helps me assess your needs, clarify your goals, and determine whether my services are likely to be helpful. If so, I will use the information to develop a personalised treatment plan.
If I need to contact another professional (e.g., your family doctor) to complete the evaluation, I will first request your written consent.
At the end of the evaluation, I will let you know whether therapy with me is appropriate. We will then discuss the treatment components I believe will be most helpful. If my services are not the right fit, I will guide you toward appropriate alternatives.
Adult and Adolescent Therapy
Each session lasts 50 minutes. We may meet in person, via videoconferencing, or by phone. All appointments are scheduled directly with me.
To monitor progress, I may ask you to complete short questionnaires at the beginning or end of sessions. This helps ensure that treatment continues to meet your evolving needs.
Typically, we will begin by checking in on your week and collaboratively setting goals for the session. At the end of each session, we will agree on strategies for you to practise between sessions. Research consistently shows that applying new skills outside of sessions greatly enhances therapy outcomes.
I use evidence-based approaches, primarily:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-based interventions
Child Therapy
For younger children, caregiver involvement is essential. This may include observing sessions quietly or joining briefly at the end to review what was covered. I may also schedule caregiver-only sessions to discuss your child’s progress and coordinate support strategies.
Caregivers play a key role in helping children practise skills between sessions. I may also invite you to apply certain strategies at home.
I use CBT and principles from Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS).
Your Participation
Your active participation is essential to the success of therapy. This includes completing any practice exercises or forms we agree on during our sessions. Research shows that people who apply what they learn in therapy to their daily lives make the most progress.
Together, we will make a plan that feels manageable and helpful for you.
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