Getting Started: What to Expect
-
Choose Your Therapist
Choosing a new therapist can be a daunting experience, both for someone new to therapy or for those who have seen counsellors in the past.
We believe that a good fit is one of the most important aspects to seeing progress in our time with clients.
This is why we have profiles on our site, and offer free, 20-minute consultation calls for new clients.
-
Book Your Appointment
Book with our easy-to-use booking software!
Click to book your appointment then choose your preferred location, therapist, and appointment time.
Once you have a Jane account set up, you can manage scheduling, connect with your counsellor via instant message, navigate billing aspects, and receive documents directly though the platform.
-
Appointment Confirmation
Once you are booked, Jane will email you to create an account and complete our intake forms. Have a read through these and let our team know if you have any questions or concerns. You are welcome to discuss these with your counsellor or our admin team.
While waiting for your appointment, be sure to confirm our location if you have an in person appointment, read through our counselling FAQ, and feel free to read more about our clinic and the services we have to offer.
-
Prepare for Appointment
Online Appointments
Jane will email you 30-minutes before the start time with a link to the video session.
We recommend bringing a notebook if you’d like, to write things down during a session.
In-Person Appointments
We are located in the Landmark 2 building, on the 2nd floor (room 210). Parking is available on street, in the various Landmark parkades, or in the parking lot off of Dickson Ave.
Upon arrival, please head up to the office and have a seat in our waiting room. Your counsellor will meet you in the waiting room at the start time of your appointment.
If your appointment is after hours and the elevators or doors are locked, you will need to wait outside the main doors and your counsellor will come down to meet you a few minutes prior to your appointment start time.
-
Your First Appointment
The beginning of a first session is to go through introductions, review any intake forms completed, and discuss the layout or scope of counselling. This is a great opportunity to focus on telling the story of what brings you into counselling, ask questions you may have at the time, and do your own assessment of whether the counsellor you are with feels like a good fit for you.
Your counsellor will seek to understand what brought you to counselling, what you hope to gain from the experience, and determine what you might find most helpful in your work together. They can answer any questions you may have, or address any concerns or fears that might present themselves.
Near the end of the appointment, we may discuss scheduling future appointments and what method of payment you are most comfortable with, along with any goals or desires you have for the process.
-
Reflection
It may take time to trust or lean into the therapy process. Don’t feel rushed to open up, and let it happen at its own pace. The first session does not commit you to working with that particular therapist. It is important to have a good ‘fit’ with your counsellor for the most successful therapy. The first session will help you decide if the therapist’s approach and personality will work for you.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________If you don’t feel comfortable, it may be best to try someone else. Remember, you may not like the first person you meet, but that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. You are always welcome to schedule a first session with another counsellor, or book a 20-minute consultation with someone else to find a better fit. Our admin is happy to help explore what you are looking for in a therapist and help find some options that could be a good fit.