Counselling

Counselling is a confidential process designed to help you address your concerns, come to a greater understanding of yourself, and learn effective personal and interpersonal coping strategies. It involves a relationship between you and a trained therapist who has the desire and willingness to help you accomplish your individual goals. Counselling involves sharing sensitive, personal, and private information that may at times be distressing. During the course of counselling, there may be periods of increased anxiety or confusion. The outcome of counselling is often positive; however, the level of satisfaction for any individual is not predictable. I am here to support you throughout the counselling process.

Confidentiality

All interactions with your counsellor, including scheduling of or attendance at appointments, the content of your sessions, progress in counselling, and your records are confidential. Data from counselling might be used in academic journals in order to broaden the knowledge of how transition impacts the human mind, but all personal information will be anonymous. You may request in writing that I release specific information about your counselling to persons you designate.

EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY:

I may consult with other counselling staff to provide the best possible care. These consultations are for professional and training purposes only.

If there is evidence of clear and imminent danger of harm to self and/or others, a therapist is legally required to report this information to the authorities responsible for ensuring safety.

If I learn of, or strongly suspect, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of any person under 18 years of age. I must report this information to child protection services.

A court order, issued by a judge, may require the counsellor to release information contained in records and/or require a therapist to testify in a court hearing.