Astoria Counselling & Assessment
Your counsellor will provide a safe and supportive space for you to connect with yourself and to explore your inner thoughts and feelings. Individual counselling can be helpful in finding and creating meaning in difficult life events, and your therapist can work collaboratively with you to come up with solutions and strategies to cope with the challenges you are facing. No issue is too big or too small to access support for!
The initial session is about setting the foundation for an authentic relationship between you and your counsellor. Your counsellor will share about their approach to counselling and will ask you various questions to get to know you and your therapeutic needs. You will work together to identify your goals for change, and make a plan to move forward with the counselling process. The last 5 minutes of your session are reserved to set up a subsequent appointment(s) with your counsellor.
Follow up sessions are scheduled for one hour, however the time spent engaged in counselling is 50 minutes. The last 10 minutes of your session is reserved for booking your next appointment, and for your therapist to complete important notes about your session. 75 minute follow up sessions (65 minutes spent in therapy) may also be available upon request.
Follow up appointments typically start with a check in, and your counsellor will ask you what feels important to discuss/focus on for the session. Your counsellor may ask questions, actively listen to your thoughts and feelings, engage in exercises with you in session, or provide psychoeducation on particular topics or strategies. Resources, homework, and/or reading material may also be suggested.
*Please check with your insurance provider to ensure you are choosing a therapist whose credentials will be covered, as this varies by provider.