Common Questions
Everyone can benefit from therapy. If you want to understand yourself better, figure out why you do what you do, attract certain partners, or improve your self-esteem, therapy is for you. Furthermore, if you struggle with overthinking, feeling low or stressed, getting angry easily, or regulating your emotions, you will also benefit from therapy.
Our sessions are 50 minutes long. The frequency of your sessions can be discussed and agreed upon with your psychologist to best suit your needs and therapeutic goals.
Absolutely. We take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. It is prescribed in our code of ethics to keep all client information confidential, except under specific legal or safety circumstances which will be discussed with you.
Psychologist: Specializes in human behavior, emotions, and mental
processes to assess, diagnose, and treat psychological
disorders.
Registered Counsellor: Performs psychological
screening, and limited interventions.
Life Coach: Encourages and
guides clients toward personal or career goals.
Psychiatrist: A
medical doctor specializing in mental health who can prescribe medications.
What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
The early sessions are primarily about information gathering and building a therapeutic relationship. Your psychologist will be getting to know you—your history, relationships, stressors, and strengths.
WHAT THERAPY IS (AND ISN’T)
Therapy is not advice-giving or quick solutions. It’s an ongoing, relational process. We don’t follow a fixed agenda; we follow what feels alive, relevant, and meaningful in the room.
CLARIFYING EXPECTATIONS
The more transparent you are about what you hope for—whether it's short-term support, depth work, or practical tools—the more aligned and effective the process can be.
How Can I Convince My Partner To Try Couples Therapy?
BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR STRUGGLES
This would mean that you would need to be vulnerable and open about your feelings.
DON'T PLAY THE BLAME GAME
Take accountability for your part in the struggles that your relationship faces.
LET THEM KNOW YOU CARE
The main reason why you might seek couples therapy is because you care about your relationship and you want to see it succeed.
MOVE PAST THE STIGMA
There is nothing wrong with seeing a Psychologist for couples therapy. Sometimes, you may just need some help with communication.
If Therapy Is Not Advice Giving, Then What Is It?
CHALLENGE YOUR BELIEFS, THOUGHTS, & BEHAVIOURS
Challenge your unhealthy, negative beliefs, thoughts and behaviours about yourself and others
IDENTIFYING YOUR UNCONSCIOUS
Identify what is your unconscious which drives your thoughts and behaviours - becoming self-aware of why you do things and where it stems from.
IMPROVE HOW YOU RELATE TO TO OTHERS
Focus on problems with your relationships with other people to improve how you relate to others. This is often identified through transference in your relationship with your therapist.
CHANGING DEEP SEATED PATTERNS
Change deep-seated patterns so that you can more fully take charge of your life.
POINTING OUT BEHAVIOURS
Pointing out behaviours that are present in the therapy room that might be causing issues in your personal life.
ALLOWING YOU TO SEE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Providing perspective on certain situations and allowing you to see it from different angles.
IDENTIFY BACKGROUND INFLUENCES
Help you identify how your childhood, culture, background, and past relationships have influenced your current relationships and behaviours.
GENTLY CALL YOU OUT
Challenge you and gently call you out on certain behaviours that are not serving you.
A Guide To Starting Therapy
FINDING THE RIGHT THERAPIST
Recommendations are important. Read their bios and see if you connect to that. Don't get caught up with age or gender. This is not an indicator of competency.
CHECK FOR COMPLIANCE
Some Psychologists may have more specific areas of interest. Check if that aligns with what you're bringing. Check if they're registered with the HPCSA.
UNDERSTAND WHAT THERAPY IS
Understand that you should be prepared to be challenged and confront things that will bring you discomfort. Also, getting told what to do or tips on how to deal with something is not what therapy is about.
SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF
Think about your goals for therapy and communicate this to your psychologist but be realistic. Keep in mind that therapy takes time. Therapy is a commitment.
WHAT TO EXPECT GOING INTO THERAPY
It's nornal to feel anxious before your sessions. Be open about this to your psychologist. After your session, you may feel drained and not necessarily "better". Try to have some quiet time afterwards, if possible.
BE HONEST & OPEN
Providing perspective on certain situations and allowing you to see it from different angles.
IDENTIFY BACKGROUND INFLUENCES
Remember that your relationship with your psychologist is the most important part of this process. So be honest and open. Talk about your feelings towards them, your concerns, your frustrations, etc.
BE CONSISENT
If your appointements are online - don't be distracted, try not to schedule it when you're at work or when you're in your car out in public. Remember, it is your sacred time and space. It's not a quick business call.
AVOID DISTRACTION
If your appointements are online - don't be distracted, try not to schedule it when you're at work or when you're in your car out in public. Remember, it is your sacred time and space. It's not a quick business call.