FAQ | Brightside Counselling
You may be wondering…
Your first session is a chance to talk about what’s bringing you in, what you’re hoping to work on, and what you need from counselling. We’ll get to know each other and figure out where it makes sense to start.
No. You don’t need to walk in with everything figured out. We can start with what’s been bothering you, what feels stuck, or simply what made you decide to reach out.
Yes, all of our sessions will be virtual, through the OWL platform. In the near future I will be offering in-person sessions in Red Deer, Alberta.
Individual sessions are 50 minutes but clients can request 75-minute sessions. Couples sessions are available 75-minute sessions.
That’s exactly what a consultation is for. We can talk about what you’re looking for, answer any questions you have, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. Not everyone is compatible. If it isn’t a good fit, I can refer you to another therapist.
I currently offer a reduced rate for students with proof of current enrolment. I offer reduced rates for other clients on an individual basis. Feel free to email me at kelly@brightsidecounselling.ca to discuss.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation. My rate for a 50-minute individual session is $160. My rate for a 75-minute couples session is $270. This is a reduced rate from the standard recommended fee schedule put out by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta, as I have just completed my Masters of Counselling Psychology and practicum.
There’s no one right answer. Some people start weekly, while others prefer every two or three weeks. We can talk about what makes sense based on what you’re working on, your goals, and your schedule.
Absolutely. Men’s mental health is one of the areas I work with. You don’t have to fit a certain idea of what therapy is supposed to look like.
Yes. I work with couples around communication, conflict, trust, intimacy, connection, and the patterns that can leave both people feeling stuck. I use the Gottman Method as one of the approaches that informs my couples work.
No. You don’t need a diagnosis or a referral to book counselling. You can reach out because something isn’t feeling right, you’re going through a difficult time, or you simply want to make some changes.
No. I cannot diagnose a client. That’s out of scope for me.
Yes. EMDR is one of the approaches I use in my trauma work. If you’re interested in EMDR, we’ll first make sure it’s appropriate for you and that you have a solid foundation of support and coping tools before beginning the processing work.
This is entirely dependant on your provider.
Yes, as long as you are not a risk of harm to yourself, someone else, or a vulnerable population, such as children. I am bound to the legal and ethical rules that Registered Psychotherapists follow. For more information see the CRPO website.