Frequently
Asked Questions

What is Art Therapy?
Art making itself can be an incredibly therapeutic experience. It is about the therapeutic process, rather than the product itself. Art making can become another voice, or mode of expression, that can be used to tell stories, share feelings, release emotions, and allow thoughts to be externalized. Art therapy can be extremely beneficial to clients of any age, dealing with a wide range of reasons for coming to therapy.

I am not an artist, that is too intimidating. What if I don't want to do art?
I never want you to feel like you have do anything that you are not comfortable with. I am a trained in both counselling AND art therapy, so if art isn't for you, we don't have to go near it. We can stick with traditional talk therapy, and still get through the same work. The amazing thing about using art in therapy (should you decide you want to try it), is that it is only for you - no one else. You do NOT need to be an artist to do Art Therapy. There is not right or wrong way to do it. You very much get to lead it, and see where it takes you. I simply provide you with all the materials and a safe space to create and dialogue about what comes up. You are not committed to art therapy - perhaps you feel artsy for only one day, and that's enough for you, perhaps you want to try it out, and half way throughout you decide "that's enough". That's fine too; you get to make the choice.

What should I expect during the first session?
In the initial session, we work together to come up with specific goals that you have, and collaboratively create a plan on how best to achieve those goals. When working with children, the initial session is similar; with both parents or guardians present, to discuss the concerns and goals that you hope to reach with your child, followed by a second session where I meet the child for the first time, and have a similar conversation, regarding goals they have for coming to see me. For parents with teens coming to counselling, we can have a phone call prior to your teen's first session and make sure sure we connect about your concerns, before I meet with them, so they can feel more like the time and session is for them and sacred for their needs.

How often do I need to attend counselling?
There are many factors that should be considered when thinking about often to attend therapy. For some people, it takes a little time to build a relationship of trust with the counsellor before digging into the bigger/deeper stuff. When you first start counselling, it is not uncommon for things to feel like they are starting to get worse before they get better. Due to the nature of exploring the challenges, both current and past, it is not uncommon for you to temporarily experience an increase in stress and discomfort. I often suggest to my clients that coming in to counselling once a week (if possible), during the beginning stages of counselling journey as being most effective. This allows for you to have consistency in your commitment to yourself, and provides with the best support through these challenges, creating a continuity of care through an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Over time (as determined by yourself, or collaboratively with your counsellor), the goal is to start to increase the time between sessions to practice your coping skills and see how you manage with your new found reflections and awareness. Counselling can be terminated at any point in time - there is not set "limit" as to how many sessions you need to attend. Many people choose to continue counselling on a monthly/bimonthly basis just as a regular check-in to help maintain their mental health and well-being. So really, it is up to you! 

Can kids go to counselling?
Absolutely! There are so many things that children experience, both positive and negative, that can have an impact on their moods, emotions, behaviour, social skills, productivity, academic achievements, and more. Common external issues can include; bullying, parental divorce/separation, recent transitions, abuse, witnessing traumatic events, or deaths and illness. Common internal issues can include; low self-esteem, body image issues, over-attachment, depression, and anxiety. If you notice that your child is experiencing any mental, emotional, social, or psychological distress, it might be beneficial to explore if counselling could be option to help get some relief. Counselling can be explained to children as a safe place, with a trusted adult, where they can talk about anything they want. It often helps for children to see it as their "special time" where they don't necessarily have to share with anybody else - their time to talk about what they want, and share what they want. In my work with children, I tend to work from a more child-centered approach, meaning I allow the child to lead, while I follow. I believe in trusting the child in the process that they take and allowing them to develop a sense of safety