The details

What a counselling session at DPMH looks like:

Research continues to show that engaging in counselling services is incredibly effective in helping people manage and cope with daily stressors and mental health concerns.

The act of speaking to someone, in a safe, non-judgmental space should be as normal as going to a medical doctor when feeling physically sick. Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy”, is what counsellors use to communicate with their clients; the goal in talk therapy is to help you identify areas that cause you emotional distress and offer space and support to work through them.

Additionally, coping tools, skills, and strategies are explored. YOU are the expert - a counsellor’s job is to promote and encourage self-growth and autonomy while equipping you to meet your goals. If you do not know “where to start”, your counsellor can be a great help with prioritizing concerns and approaches to best manage them.

When you come to DPMH for a session, you can expect to spend your time in a comfortable room, speaking to one of our trained counsellors about what YOU need to speak about. Our counsellors will then support you in working through the identified stressors or concerns in your life.

In addition to this, if you choose, you will also be able to access animal therapy; animal therapy will allow you to have one of our support animals present with you during your counselling session. For more information on this service, please see our animal therapy page.

The first session:

We recognize that the idea of entering a new space, with a stranger, and discussing what may be your most intimate struggles and concerns can be anxiety-provoking. That is why we have made every effort to create an environment that is comforting, safe, and hygge-inspired.

Naturally though, your first session will likely be the most nerve-racking for you; to ease these nerves, we have outlined some of what to expect:

1. Your counsellor will want to explore what brought you to counselling and will ask questions while encouraging you to share comfortably

2. Intake forms will be completed and discussions will occur; this means that you and your counsellor will discuss your history – such as your family dynamics, current stressors, occupation, relevant historical events – that may be contributing to your current concerns

This part of the counselling process may feel overwhelming and leave you feeling vulnerable; please know that your counsellor asks intake and history-related questions with your best interest as the priority to help direct future sessions. Just like a medical doctor would ask for a history of physical ailments, your counsellor will look to do the same relating to mental health concerns.

After your first session:

You and your counsellor will work to identify your goals for counselling and collaboratively create a plan to achieve them. The frequency and duration of counselling will largely depend on these goals. The most important piece though is that you and your counsellor spend time building your professional, therapeutic relationship and create a safe space for you to express your concerns, needs, and work towards your goals.

Counselling is more than “just talking”; it is about ‘talking with intent’. Naturally, speaking with friends and family can be helpful; counselling however, offers a neutral, non- judgmental space directed by evidence based practice solely dedicated to supporting your wellness that is different than the support we may seek from even our closest loved ones.

Interested in counselling services?

Book an initial session with one of our counsellors today.