I don’t know if therapy is for me...
Starting therapy can feel like a big decision. You might be wondering: What will I talk about? Will it feel uncomfortable? How do I know if therapy is right for me? These are completely normal questions.
Counselling is a supportive and secure space, provided for you to share your story, where you will be heard with empathy and without judgment. Through counseling, you can explore your life choices, gain insight into your strengths, develop healthier coping strategies, and empower yourself to shape your own future.
At our clinic, we understand that each person’s experience is unique. That’s why we offer a diverse team of therapists, each with their own approach and specialties. No matter who you work with, therapy is a safe, confidential space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and challenges at your own pace.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or just feeling stuck, therapy can help you gain clarity, develop coping skills, and build a more fulfilling life.
🛋️ Your First Therapy Session: What Happens?
The first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist and begin exploring what brought you to therapy. You might feel nervous, and that’s completely okay—your therapist is there to guide the conversation in a way that feels comfortable for you.
During this session, your therapist may ask questions such as:
What made you decide to start therapy?
What are the biggest challenges you're facing right now?
Have you ever been to therapy before? If so, what was that experience like for you?
Do you have any specific goals or concerns you’d like to work on?
What helps you cope when you're feeling overwhelmed?
This session is not about pressure or problem-solving everything at once. It’s about building trust, understanding your needs, and figuring out how therapy can best support you.
At the end of the session, your therapist may discuss next steps, such as:
✔️ Setting some initial goals for therapy
✔️ Exploring different therapeutic approaches that might be helpful
✔️ Scheduling future sessions (weekly, biweekly, or at a pace that suits you)
💡 Different Therapists, Different Approaches
Therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" process. Different therapists use different approaches, (and have different personalities!), and part of therapy is finding what works best for you.
Some common therapeutic approaches used at our clinic include:
🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns.
Helps with anxiety, depression, and stress management.
🌱 Person-Centered Therapy
A non-directive approach where the therapist provides support and guidance while you lead the way.
Encourages self-exploration and self-acceptance.
🌀 Psychodynamic Therapy
Explores how past experiences shape current emotions and behaviors.
Helps uncover unconscious patterns that may be affecting your life.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Incorporates meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques.
Useful for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
💬 Solution-Focused Therapy
A goal-oriented approach that focuses on practical solutions rather than problems.
Helps build confidence and develop actionable strategies for change.
..... and many more approaches. If you're interested to read more about the different modalities of therapy, click here
Each therapist brings their own expertise, and they will work with you to find an approach that feels right for you.
📈 How Therapy Works Over Time
Therapy is a journey, and progress happens in different ways for different people. While every experience is unique, therapy often follows a general structure:
1. Building Trust & Understanding
The first few sessions are about establishing a comfortable and open space for you to share your thoughts and experiences. You’ll work with your therapist to set goals and define what success looks like for you.
2. Exploring Thoughts, Feelings & Patterns
As therapy progresses, your therapist will help you explore recurring patterns, triggers, and emotional responses. This might involve:
Recognizing unhealthy thought patterns
Identifying coping mechanisms (both helpful and unhelpful)
Understanding how past experiences shape your current emotions
3. Developing Coping Skills & Strategies
Once key patterns are identified, therapy focuses on equipping you with practical tools and techniques to navigate challenges. These might include:
Grounding exercises for anxiety
Communication skills for relationships
Stress management strategies
Emotional regulation techniques
4. Growth & Change
As therapy continues, you’ll start noticing shifts in how you think, feel, and respond to life’s challenges. Change doesn’t always happen overnight, but with commitment and self-reflection, many people find greater clarity, emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of self.
❓ Common Questions About Therapy
What if I don’t know what to talk about?
That’s completely okay! Some sessions may feel structured, while others are more open-ended. Your therapist will help guide the conversation in a way that feels natural and comfortable for you.
How long does therapy last?
The length of therapy varies for each person. Some people find short-term therapy (4-8 sessions) helpful for specific issues, while others prefer longer-term support. Your therapist will work with you to determine what feels right for you.
Will my therapist give me advice?
Therapists don’t usually give direct advice, but they help you explore options, develop insights, and make decisions that align with your values. Some therapists take a more directive approach, while others encourage self-exploration—if you have a preference, feel free to discuss this with your therapist.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is completely confidential, except in cases where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others. Your therapist will explain confidentiality policies in your first session.
What if I don’t connect with my therapist?
It’s important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. If, after a few sessions, you feel that the connection isn’t right, it’s completely okay to discuss it or explore working with another therapist in our clinic.
If you’re thinking about therapy, that’s already a huge first step. You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone—we’re here to support you.
Reasons People Go to Therapy
Existential Crisis
People experiencing an existential crisis may question the meaning of their life or feel disconnected from their purpose. Therapy can help individuals explore their values, purpose, and reframe their thoughts to create a more fulfilling life.
Chronic Stress from Overachievement
Overachievers often push themselves beyond healthy limits, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Therapy can help individuals manage stress, set realistic goals, and develop a healthy balance between ambition and self-care.
Interpersonal Relationship Dynamics
Struggling with relationships, whether personal or professional, can be challenging. Therapy can offer tools to improve communication, set boundaries, and resolve conflict, leading to healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Personal Identity Exploration
Some people seek therapy to explore their identity, especially when it comes to gender, sexual orientation, or cultural background. Therapy provides a supportive space for self-discovery, helping individuals align with their authentic selves.
Healing from Trauma You Don't Remember
Unresolved trauma can affect daily life, even if the person doesn’t consciously remember the event. Therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapy, can help individuals process and heal from these experiences, improving mental health and emotional resilience.
Adjustment to Uncertainty or Ambiguity
Some people struggle with uncertainty or decision-making. Therapy can help individuals develop tolerance for ambiguity and teach coping strategies to handle life's unpredictable situations with confidence.
Creative Blocks
Artists or creators sometimes face mental blocks that hinder their ability to express themselves. Therapy can uncover underlying emotional issues and help individuals overcome creative blocks, allowing them to reconnect with their artistic flow.
Dealing with Chronic Illness or Disability
Living with chronic illness or disability can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, or depression. Therapy offers support in coping with the emotional and psychological impacts, helping individuals manage their condition with greater resilience.
Emotional Impact of Digital Life
Social media and technology can create feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and digital addiction. Therapy helps individuals navigate these digital pressures, building healthier relationships with technology and themselves.
Adoption Issues
Adoptees or adoptive families may struggle with identity, attachment, or unresolved emotional conflicts. Therapy provides a space to explore and address these concerns, fostering healthy relationships and emotional healing.
Unprocessed Grief from Non-Death Losses
Grief isn’t always about death—it can stem from the loss of a job, relationship, or lifestyle. Therapy can help individuals process these types of grief and move forward in a healthy way.
Desire for Self-Improvement Without a Specific Problem
Not all therapy is about fixing something specific. Some people seek therapy simply for self-growth, gaining insight into their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, or to improve their mental well-being in general.
To Summarize....
What to Expect in Your First Sessions
A safe space to share what’s brought you here and what you’d like from therapy.
Looking at what’s working, what’s not, and how you’re coping right now.
Beginning to understand patterns, triggers, and emotional responses.
Identifying strategies to help you manage and grow between sessions.
Therapy is tailored to your needs — there’s no rush, no judgment.