Is Counselling for Me?

By Kat Giles, BSW, MSW, RSW | November 8th

Counselling can be a daunting word. When we hear it, we can have misconceptions about what it might look like. As you close your eyes and think about yourself being in a counselling room, what do you picture? Are you lying on a couch or just sitting in a chair? Are you talking while someone sits across the room, silent, occasionally nodding, and writing notes? Or is it a conversation? Perhaps the picture you have about counselling encourages you to sign up to meet with a therapist. Or perhaps it is daunting and keeps you from asking for help. Whatever you are feeling, I hope this post gives you a better understanding of whether counselling is for you and a few questions to consider in finding a counsellor.

The short answer to the question is counselling for me, is absolutely yes. Counselling is for everyone! The purpose of counselling is to understand yourself more, heal from past experiences, and to be curious about the ways we behave. Everyone can benefit from these things – including therapists.

Calling to make an appointment can still be daunting. It is hard work to understand ourselves better and to unpack our past experiences, which can be scary. But staying the same is often scarier. Counselling provides you with the tools to understand your behaviours and make changes that you feel are necessary. You need to be ready for counselling. Although the process may be hard, in the long run, counselling can make life a whole lot easier.

Some important things to remember as you make the call:

Counselling Must Feel Safe. There are many aspects that are involved in safety however, it is crucial for your journey that you feel safe with the person you are talking to.
The Best Results Involve a Good Fit. Each therapist brings their own unique personality and approach to counselling. You want to have a therapist that you feel you can open up to and be honest with. Get to know who you are meeting with from website biographies, phone conversations, consultations, and first meetings. I encourage clients that if I do not feel like the right fit, I am happy to help them find another therapist who is.
Ask Questions. If you’re feeling uncertain, ask questions. For instance, you might wonder what the difference between counselling and coaching is. You might want to ask if you are allowed to lay down. All of your questions are valid; there really are no wrong questions.

When you’re ready to make the call, we will be here!

What is Trauma?

November 29th

What is Trauma?

By Candice Chiu, M.Ed Counselling and Psychotherapy, RP {Qualifying}

What pops into your mind when you hear the word trauma?

Perhaps you see a violent battlefield during wartime. Or you may be visualizing a major plane crash. Maybe it’s a weapon being pointed directly at you.

If you saw one of the above or anything similar, you’re not alone. Most people think of trauma as a life-threatening experience. These dangerous situations can definitely be traumatic for many. However, if you ask most mental health professionals, they will define trauma differently. Dr. Gabor Maté, a leading specialist in the field of trauma and addiction, says that trauma is, “not what happened to you; it is what happens inside of you as a result of what happens to you”. In other words, trauma is not a situation, but an internal experience.

Six Ways to Regulate

August 16th

Six Ways to Regulate

By Kat Giles BSW, MSW, RSW

In this series, Who Are You Emotions, we have looked at externalizing emotions and understanding what they are communicating to us. Throughout this series you have seen me refer to The Three Rs – Recognize, Regulate, Respond. Let’s look a little closer at the last of the Rs – Regulate.

Who Are You Guilt?

April 18th

Who Are You Guilt?

By Kat Giles BSW, MSW, RSW

I remember a time when I lied to my mom.

It was years ago, and I don’t remember exactly what I lied about, but I do remember lying in my bed with the feeling of guilt overwhelming me, keeping me awake. Unable to sleep, I slowly walked downstairs to confess what I had done.

A lot of us have an experience of guilt overwhelming us. Like my story above, we often don’t recall the exact events, but we clearly remember the emotions and feelings we experienced around the event. Like our other blogs in this series, let’s look at ways to recognize, regulate and respond to this emotion when we do experience it.