Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

counselling and psychotherapy: What’s the Difference?

Counselling and Psychotherapy are talk therapies and often interchangeable terms used to help clients deal and cope with internal issues and external challenges.

Counselling is offered by a practitioner that can offer more specialized services for immediate concerns. Counsellors generally offer more short-term treatment centred around changing behaviour patterns and refer clients to psychotherapists for more complex issues.

Psychotherapy is provided by psychotherapists who undergo two or more years of post-graduate training and focus on assisting clients identify deeper emotional issues and aim to reveal the root cause of these issues. Treatment is more long-term and more extensive in order to unravel sometimes complex histories. The typic outcomes are to assist clients in having a better understanding of their feelings, thoughts, and actions.

What is the goal of therapy?

Every client has different needs that are discussed between the therapist and the client at regular intervals during the treatment process. The therapist will work with the client to develop an outline with targeted aims to assist the client through the counselling process. Goals are discussed and negotiated between both parties, and usually remain flexible.

Successful outcomes depends on a trusting and confidential therapeutic relationship. It is common for clients to just not click with their therapist. If you feel this way, please do not hesitate to speak with your therapist. We will happily recommend one or more of our colleagues.

It is not the therapist’s job to “fix” the client, but to guide the client into understanding their concerns. and provide the client with skills and tools to a healthier, brighter future.

is therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is fundamental because personal, private and intimate information is being shared. Without strict confidence, the relationship between the client and the therapist has no foundation.

There are four legally obligated exceptions to confidentiality. Upon your first session, the therapist will review with you confidentiality terms and exceptions.

What can I expect in the first session?

For your first visit to our clinic, we ask that you come 10 minutes early as you will need to fill out intake forms. Not only will this allow you time to provide us with necessary information but also it will allow you to enjoy a full counselling session as we have to be mindful of other clients that we are scheduled around your visit.

The therapist will review your documentation, inform you of terms of our service, confidentiality and other housekeeping items to ensure you have a full understanding and consent to the counselling process.

From here the counselling session begins, the therapist will listen to your situation, ask appropriate questions intermittently to gather information on your history and begin to prioritize the issue(s): those requiring immediate attention and those that can be dealt with later. Towards the end of the session, the therapist will summarize and discuss potential goals with you and, sometimes provide you with exercises to try between treatment sessions if agreed upon.

More often, it takes more than one session to assist clients but that decision is between you and the therapist. We do not push clients only guide them. Ultimately, the client decides what is best.

how many sessions Are Needed?

As mentioned above, every client is unique and the number of sessions needed varies. Generally, counselling services approximates anywhere between 5 - 10 sessions. With psychotherapy, this could take longer between the treatment is more in depth. We have had clients go through a set of sessions and then come back after awhile for “maintenance” sessions. There are no set rules.

How often are sessions booked?

Sessions usually start once per week initially and the duration between visits lengthens as clients progress towards their goals. After each session, the therapist will discuss your next visit booking.

Our Expectations From Our Clients

At Bearfrog Counselling, in order to meet the needs of all our clients, we ask that you show up on time for your appointments. We can accommodate up to 10 minutes late but anything longer, we will have to reschedule you as it effects others’ appointments after you.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please call us as soon as possible and we gladly reschedule you for another session.

Please understand that if you are a “no show” then we will have to charge the full session amount for the missed appointment.