We Believe
At our clinic, we believe in the power of self-discovery and personal growth through individual counselling. While marriage counselling and family therapy are well-known, one-on-one sessions have, until quite recently, had a bit of a stigma attached to them. Now that this mindset is starting to change, the benefits of personal counselling can be truly appreciated by all the people who need them. To that end, our team of skilled and compassionate therapists provides a nurturing space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, ultimately guiding you on a journey towards a brighter and healthier future.
The Meaning
What is the meaning of Individual Counselling? It is exactly what it sounds like: a profound and transformative form of personalized therapy, where you engage in one-on-one sessions with a qualified therapist. These sessions take place in a safe and confidential environment, allowing you to dive deeper into your inner world, gain new insights, and understand yourself and others better than ever before. With consistent sessions, you’ll learn to address your challenges and develop effective coping strategies, empowering you to create lasting, positive changes in your life.
Who Benefits from Individual Counselling?
Individual counselling is a valuable resource for anyone facing difficult life challenges or simply seeking personal development. Our therapists have experience in helping people with a wide range of conditions and stressors. If you find yourself struggling with any of the following, individual counselling may be able to help:
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Excess stress or stress disorders
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No feelings of happiness or excitement
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Insomnia or lack of focus
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Problems with family or home life
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Issues at work or in your career
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Self-doubt and low self-esteem
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Dealing with a major life event – separation/divorce, illness, disability, grief, trauma
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Anger and irritability
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Depression
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Anxiety (either general disorder or specific)
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Irrational fears/phobias
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Burnout
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Chronic medical and health concerns
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Pain management
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Sexual abuse
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Women's issues
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Issues related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or self-identity
Why is Individual Therapy Better?
“Better” isn’t quite the right term, but we know what you mean!
Individual therapy offers a focused and personalized approach to addressing your unique concerns and challenges. Unlike group sessions, couples counselling or family sessions, which may involve multiple people's needs and dynamics, individual counselling focuses entirely on your well-being and progress. This makes it particularly useful for those seeking support with personal issues, allowing clients to openly discuss their experiences, feelings, and thoughts with a trained professional who is here to help navigate such obstacles and develop effective coping strategies.
Note that these sessions may overlap with others, too – for example, individual sessions may be part of marriage counselling. We’re here to provide what you need to truly be your best!
What to Expect in Personal Therapy Sessions
Your well-being is our top priority, and we strive to create a comfortable and supportive environment for every personal counselling session. When you step into our space, you can expect an open, honest, and judgment-free conversation with your therapist about your concerns, and a genuine effort on our part to better understand your unique circumstances. We may ask a lot of questions, but that’s what allows us to tailor our treatment, since there are many possible methodologies we can use.
It’s also likely that your therapist will provide a shortlist of useful resources to support your growth. Beyond the 50-to-60-minute sessions that happen at regular intervals (one to four times per month), we may recommend insightful books, thought-provoking articles, or enlightening videos for you to explore. These can supplement your progress and give context to the strategies we work on together.
What Issues Does Individual Counselling Help With?
The most common issues that inspire people to seek out individual therapy are:
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Anxiety and depression
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Stress
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relationship problems
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self-esteem
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grief, loss, and trauma
Keep in mind that you may not experience any of the above. Therapy can also be beneficial for individuals facing major life changes or a shake in their belief system. There is no “wrong” reason to seek individual therapy, and almost everyone can benefit from having a neutral and empathetic professional listen to their experiences and provide support in gaining new perspectives.
How Long Does Individual Therapy Take?
It’s impossible to predict the length of time required for a therapeutic treatment, because it depends on the specific person’s circumstances. You may have a breakthrough after a few sessions, or you may have a road of months or years to slowly unravel a lifetime of challenges. The best we could say is that as long as you are getting value out of it, individual therapy will continue to have a positive impact on your life – and we will work with you to figure out a treatment plan that works best.
Different Types of Individual Therapy
We offer a range of individual therapy types to meet your unique needs. Each one provides valuable insights and tools in its own way to help you overcome challenges and become more introspective. With our therapists to guide you, you’ll be empowered to find the one that resonates best with your journey to healing and well-being.
Our 5 Main Approaches to Personal Therapy
1) Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an innovative form of therapy that utilizes rapid eye movements, relaxation, and visualizations to help clients process traumatic memories and alleviate distressing symptoms. By engaging in these techniques, individuals can create new neural pathways that reprocess their experiences, leading to healing and the ability to overcome negative impacts.
2) Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy revolves around exploring the stories and themes that shape an individual's experiences, enabling the creation of empowered new perspectives and meanings that foster personal growth and empathy. By understanding and reshaping these narratives, individuals can find renewed strength and hope in their lives.
3) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This is a widely used therapeutic approach that targets negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Through self-awareness and cognitive restructuring, individuals identify and challenge their unhelpful thoughts, leading to positive changes in emotions and behaviours.
4) Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
5) Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection and involves becoming aware of physical sensations that may indicate stress or triggers, such as muscle tension, stomach aches, headaches, shallow breathing, throat tightness, or numbness. It allows you to learn techniques to calm or discharge stress, tension, and trauma, promoting holistic healing and well-being.
Scheduling an Individual Therapy Session in Calgary
Scheduling your first individual therapy session in Calgary is simple and convenient. We aim to make the process as seamless as possible – here's an outline of how it’s done:
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15-Minute Consultation
Start by filling out our user-friendly online contact form, which will set you up with a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist of your choice. That’s where you’ll briefly share your personal concerns and what you hope to achieve. It also gives us the opportunity to make sure we’re a good fit for you, too.
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Choose Your Therapist
After your free consultation, take the time to reflect on your experience and decide if you feel comfortable and connected with the therapist you spoke with. If so, you can book your first therapy session. If not, we can try someone else, or recommend a different clinic if we feel we cannot provide you with what you need.
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Choose Appointment
Choose the format – in-person or online – that best suits your comfort level and circumstances. Our virtual sessions are always secure, confidential, and convenient, but if you aren't a fan of online and would prefer face-to-face interactions, we'll warmly welcome you for your appointment!