Frequently Asked Questions

I use the words counselling, therapy, and psychotherapy interchangeably. 

When you decide to come to counselling, you enter in a safe space that is just for you. This space is for exploring your thoughts and emotions, understanding the root of your concerns, telling your story, and moving forward with a wider perspective than when you started. It can be seen as a form of unlearning what isn't helpful and relearning what is helpful. Counselling can restore your hope, help you feel better, and be the person in your corner while you take your next steps forward. Therapy makes room for personal growth, self-acceptance, and healthier ways of navigating life's challenges. There is always more than one way to look at something.

At Modifi Counselling and Psychotherapy, I work from a solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) lens. This is a goal-oriented approach that focuses on identifying and amplifying your strengths and resources to build resilience and create positive change. We work collaboratively, finding solutions to everyday problems and helping you reconnect with yourself. 

You might consider counselling if you're experiencing persistent emotional distress, struggling with relationships, facing major life changes, or feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or depression. Perhaps you just feel stuck - stuck in your job, stuck in your exhausting routine. Counselling can benefit anyone looking to improve their mental health and well-being.

At Modifi Counselling and Psychotherapy, I help you identify and amplify your strengths and resilience. No matter what your reason is for attending counselling, we can work together to help you find new meaning and create positive transformational change.

The duration of counselling varies depending on your goals and the challenges you are addressing.

I love building lasting relationships with clients where they know they always have someone in their corner, whether it's 6 months or a year down the road after our initial work together. My goal is for you to get something meaningful out of each session and evaluate your progress regularly, celebrating every win along the way, big and small.

Some people find relief in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term counselling. It's a collaborative decision between you and your therapist. 

The general rule for best results is to start with weekly sessions, then biweekly, then monthly, then periodic check-ins. 

Think of counselling as a workout for your mind – it's a space where you exercise your emotional muscles, build resilience, and work towards mental well-being. Just like a tough gym session, counselling can be mentally draining at times. That's why it's essential to be extra kind to yourself on counselling days. Planning for self-care before and after your sessions can make a world of difference.

Whether it's carving out time for relaxation, engaging in a favourite hobby, or simply giving yourself permission to rest, self-care is your mental "cool-down" period. It helps you process and reflect on what you've discussed in counselling and recharge your emotional batteries. Remember, counselling is a journey of growth, and taking care of yourself along the way is a vital part of that process.  

The very first session is typically called the "Intake" session, which means that we will spend some time getting to know each other and what you want to achieve from being in therapy. We will look at significant areas of your life and map out what's going well and what you would like to work on. Your goals essentially become our "roadmap" for therapy. It is not unusual for the intake to span a couple of sessions.

A "Follow-up" session will start with a wellness check-in, a review of the previous session, and setting the agenda. The middle part of the session is where we will go deeper into items from the agenda. At the end, I will start to close the session by letting you know the end of the session is approaching, summarizing what was accomplished, discussing tasks to be done between sessions by you or myself (if any), and booking the next session. If the work in session is particularly heavy, it won't be unusual for us to end the work earlier and to focus on planned self-care that follows your therapy session.

Yes, counselling is a safe space to discuss a wide range of topics, including personal and sensitive issues. As a counsellor, I am trained to handle various concerns and will provide a non-judgmental environment for you to share your thoughts and feelings.

Consent and confidentiality will be consistently addressed as new topics arise, when insight is available, if an intervention is proposed, or whenever the client requests third-party communications or referrals.

I practice from a non-pathologizing, solution-focused, and strengths-based lens. This means that we will look at all areas of your life and define what is going well and see if those resources can be used in other areas where you want to create change. We will not only explore the challenges and barriers you face but also actively work together to identify practical solutions and actionable steps toward positive change using your desired outcomes or "goals" as our roadmap.

If you feel like you have so much to talk about, bring it all. We can work together to organize your thoughts into meaningful goals and actions that have you feeling more in control of your life and mental health within a couple therapy sessions. 

Finding the right counsellor is essential for a positive therapeutic journey, and at my practice, I prioritize that connection. I understand that sometimes, despite our best intentions, the therapist-client fit might not be a perfect match. In such cases, or if a client’s needs extend beyond the therapist’s scope of practice, I am committed to ensuring that your care continues seamlessly. My primary goal is your well-being, so if it’s determined that a different therapist or specialized service would better suit your needs, I will work with you to provide a referral and guide you toward the appropriate resources. 

Feel free to reach out by booking a free consultation, sending an email, or leaving a voice message at 289-216-8418 with your questions. When you reach out, I will be in touch with you within 24 hours.