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MARIANNE STEWART ONLINE COUNSELLING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I expect the first time we meet?
Normally on the first day of counselling we'll be figuring out if we are a good therapeutic fit. We'll review the Informed Consent and the Intake documents together to make sure that any questions you may have are addressed before we begin. It's important to discuss what the presenting issue is that you're having and to discuss what your goals are for counselling. How will you know if we've achieved your goals? What does success look like to you? Feel free to write these down and bring them in with you as a starting point. I will be very curious about your life so far and will be very engaged in learning about you so that I can better support your healing journey.
Who attends counselling?
Anyone and everyone can take part in counselling. It doesn't matter how old you are, or what gender you are or what your marital status or sexual orientation are. What matters is that you have realized that you have encountered a roadblock that is related to something intensely personal to you, and you need help sorting it out. It could be a mental health issue that needs to be addressed and - when treated - you may find yourself quickly moving forward. The best sort of person to help you with a psychological problem is one that will not judge you and who understands the different types of issues that we can encounter that may affect us emotionally, and in our day-to-day functioning.
How long does it take for counselling to "work"?
This depends entirely on what the issue is that you are dealing with. For some people, they can have a very specific problem which can be addressed rather quickly. For others, they may need to take more time to address issues that they have been struggling with for many years. Ultimately, understanding the problem and creating a roadmap with your therapist is the best way to determine how much time you wish to spend on counselling.
What is your cancellation policy?
I require a minimum 24 hours notice for all cancellations. Anything less than 24 hours will be charged the agreed upon rate.
What are the risks and benefits of counselling?
As you actively begin to work towards your goals you may began to feel more empowered, in control, and relieved. However, counselling can also stir up feelings of sadness, frustration, and fear. It is helpful to be aware these emotions are a natural part of the journey. I strongly suggest you increase your “caring for self” activities during this exciting time. “Caring for self” activities include creating a sleep routine to support more rest, eating healthy foods, reaching out for support from safe people in your life, and engaging in enjoyable movement suitable for your fitness level.
How do you decide what therapy to use for certain issues?
This depends on what the issue is that you are dealing with. As each individual is unique, oftentimes their therapeutic plan may need to be customized to address their needs and preferences. Flexibility and open-mindedness are important parts of my practice in order to ensure I am able to support any client I am working with.
What is EMDR?
This is the acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and it is a psychotherapy discovered and developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR operates on the basic idea that when a person is traumatized or experiences some severe hardship, this memory is not processed or stored in the brain properly, thus causing symptoms to present themselves in a person's everyday life that are maladaptive and disruptive. EMDR is effective in supporting clients to access and reprocess these old experiences with the guidance of a trained professional. I have been trained and have a certificate in EMDR, and if appropriate would suggest this treatment to clients suffering from trauma. You may learn more about EMDR here.
What about confidentiality...can you keep what I tell you private?
I make every effort to maintain confidentiality for you. Only in very extenuating circumstances would I reveal anything you have disclosed, and you would be informed throughout. I will provide you with Informed Consent documentation which I will request be signed before we begin counselling.
If you have any other questions please feel free to call or email and I will be happy to answer these for you!
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