FAQ – Keirsten Provost Counselling

WHAT IS COUNSELLING AND THERAPY?

People come to counselling or therapy because they want change in their lives. Counselling is a process; it’s a collaborative work between a client and Counsellor to aid the client in “rooting out” problems either from the past, present, or even concerns and anxieties about the future. It is about change. You must go to the roots of a problem rather than just look at the symptoms – that’s why you change. The “stuckness”, or grief, loss or bereavement, loss of innocence, couple counselling, relationship issues, separation or divorce, additions, abuse, deterioration of health, financial changes, unresolved childhood issues, anxiety, anger, sense of hopelessness, depression / sadness, self-esteem issues, personal growth development, transition of life, are some of the emotional challenges we face in our lives.

For lasting change to occur in counselling, it is necessary to examine the underlying causes of a person’s problem. My job as a Therapist is to be of support and counsel.

We work together in partnership to examine the roots of the issues, and repair and renew, resulting in a healing and a moving on.

Often the physical body reflects unresolved grief with headaches, backaches, anxiety, depression, heart disease, and arthritis, just to name of few. Our physical and emotional beings are connected, and work together for complete well-being and good health.

ARE YOU CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes, I am. My professional ethics require that our sessions are confidential.

HOW LONG IS EACH SESSION?

Each session is normally 1 hour in length. Although we can go to 1and a half-hours or up to 2 hours. Often In Couple Counselling this happens.

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED TO FEEL BETTER?

Of course this is individual. Often one feels better after only one session; sometimes, it takes 5 or 6 sessions and more. It’s important to know that sometimes a person may feel worse before they feel better, but this is short term and probably necessary for the lasting healing.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF YOU ARE RIGHT FOR ME?

This is an important question. You will generally notice that you feel comfortable with me and that you wish to continue with the emotional work we set out to do. Sometimes, the client doesn’t feel he or she “fits”, and this is perfectly okay; you, as the client, need to feel a “connection” to get the most out of you experience and ultimate healing.

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH?

I believe in the cognitive-therapy model. I believe I am a teacher / communicator, but most importantly: a listener. I very much want to help you see and understand your life and what you really truly want to achieve. I enjoy working with you as you change, grow and become more peaceful and joyful.

I support you, and you will work with me to develop new ways of doing things or thinking about things. We also laugh a lot and enjoy, cherish and honour our time together.

I also am a professional artist and so will exercise that venue if the client would like to pursue Therapy in Art.

ARE OUR SESSION S LIMITED TO THE INITIAL ISSUE I CAME IN WITH?

No. Life doesn’t just stop throwing curve balls at us, and we should always be on a life-long adventure in learning and doing personal work. I welcome those who are on a serious path of personal growth pursuits and development. We can see each other every month or every few months to “check-in”.

DO YOU PROVIDE PACKAGES?

Yes, I do provide packages of 4 individual sessions for a reduced rate. For many reasons this is a great option. Not only is it more economical, it is also a commitment on behalf of the client to continue and grow at an expected pace.

What is RECOVERY?

Recovery means feeling better.

Recovery is being able to enjoy fond memories without having them precipitate painful feelings of regret or remorse.

Recovery is acknowledging that it is perfectly all right to feel sad from time to time and to talk about those feelings no matter how those around you react.

We need to EXPRESS our grief.

Psychological discharge, hyperventilation, catharsis —the emulating out of feelings, weeping, remembering, regretting, appreciating describes the core emotional process.

“CONTAINING” grief carries a fearful danger of physical and emotional sickness.

What is GRIEF?

Grief is the normal ad natural reaction to loss of any kind. Therefore, the feelings you are having are also normal and natural for you. The problem is that many of us have been socialized to believe that these feelings are abnormal and unnatural.

Grief is the CONFLICTING FEELINGS CAUSED BY THE END OR A CHANGE IN A FAMILIAR PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR.

You may be glad that your loved one is out of pain—but this also means that you won’t see your loved one again. How about divorce? You may feel a genuine sense of freedom now that the battles are finished. That is a positive feeling. But at the same time, you may be afraid. These conflicting feelings, freedom and fear, are also a natural response to loss.

The Four Tasks of Mourning

To accept the reality of the loss

To experience the pain of grief

To adjust to an environment in which the deceased is missing

To withdraw emotional energy and reinvest it in another relationship

The Myths in Recovery:

Time heals all wounds

Replace the loss

Grieve alone

Be Strong for others

The Facts in Recovery:

Grief and Emotional Loss issues accumulate

It is not the presenting issue which necessarily brings forth the pain

The accumulation of unresolved loss experiences create a feeling of hopelessness and inability to let go, move on and enjoy life

The physical body reflects unresolved grief with headaches, backaches, anxiety, depression, heart disease, arthritis; just to name a few.

Experiencing distress in your marriage, divorce, death, betrayal, loss of relationship, loss of innocence or trust, childhood issues, financial issues, addictions, retirement, abortion, physical or emotional abuse, miscarriage, loss and deterioration of health, or empty nest syndrome.

It’s Time for Healing…

Recovery is Possible.