We talk for 20 minutes about what your current struggle is, what your goal might be for sessions, and I share about how I can be of service. This consult allows you to get a better sense of who I am, and you can decide afterwards if you feel comfortable enough to try some sessions with me. We can arrange to have this consult by phone, or online with Zoom.

The number of sessions for therapy varies for each person. Your purpose for therapy, your goal, your finances and your time availability will all affect this decision. We collaborate to determine what therapeutic pace will best suit you. We encourage clients to try out 4-6 sessions to get a sense if this counselling experience feels good and like things can change.

Short term therapy (6-10 sessions) is chosen in order to work on a specific problem or struggle. Medium term therapy (8-20 sessions) is chosen to work deeply on a reoccurring pattern or issue in your life that could use a shift in perspective and strategies that enable you to get to know yourself better and in doing so, affect change in where you were once stuck. Long term therapy (12 + sessions) is chosen when you desire ongoing support while working on meaningful and transformative intentions in many aspects in your life.

We will meet online through Zoom. Our first session together will include general questions for you so I can get a sense of your overall health and well being and all the factors that may be contributing to your current struggle. Our following sessions will include talking, space for feelings, and learning about tools and strategies that might help you move through your challenges. What we do and how we spend the time is a collaborative journey; your needs and your voice matters to us.

YES! We love when parents and teens are willing to have sessions together. Changes in family dynamics and individuals’ wellness happens more powerfully and for longer term when parents and youth are both willing to shift and stretch themselves emotionally and mentally. We recommend that the initial free consult includes both parent and youth and we then collaborate to decide how the sessions will look to best serve the struggles and challenges you are working on. Sometimes, youth like to have their own sessions as this allows them to have their own space to be themselves and be heard outside of the family system. And if that is the case, we highly encourage parents to participate in their own counselling work until both youth and parents feel safe, trusting, and ready to have sessions together when possible.

This is a normal response. Teens rarely want to be the only ones making the change in their family system, particularly if parents have not shown a willingness to adjust or evolve alongside them. We recommend that parents start the counselling process themselves with a focus on developing a stronger relationship with their teen, and to begin modeling how counselling can have a positive impact on your life and your relationships.

What is shared in individual counselling sessions is kept confidential which means that the information is not shared with parents, friends, or anyone else. The only time information is shared is for serious reasons, such as being in danger of harming yourself or another person, or there is abuse of vulnerable peoples, or you are involved in a legal situation. In couples or family sessions we discuss the importance of privacy of information and building trust with each other about what is shared. We encourage our clients to share with friends or family about what they learn or realize through their counselling sessions. We strengthen our new awareness and new ways of being in the world when we teach others about ourselves.

You will likely experience a variety of feelings before, during and after a counselling session. Your counsellor will be supportive of you and they will also look to challenge you and your perspectives during your sessions. Changing your long held beliefs and patterns can cause discomfort to begin with, but over time it can help bring lasting change. As you consider new perceptions, or new steps you may feel hesitant, tired, or agitated, while other times you may feel hopeful, lighter, or experience relief.

Your counselling sessions will benefit most when you come with a willing and open mind; your commitment to taking steps towards your goal outside of our sessions will also help you immensely.

Your friend might need support or guidance and may not be ready to ask for it yet or know where to find it. What you can do is offer a listening ear and encourage them to connect with a teacher, mentor, or counsellor. You can offer to attend counselling sessions with your friend. Also, if your friend is unwilling to get support, it could be very beneficial for you to receive your own support through a trusted adult or counsellor as you navigate supporting your friend. You can also call a crisis line to get support: Crisis Line – BC available 24/7 1-800-784-2433 YouthSpace.ca – available 6pm-midnight – text support: 778-783-0177 Youth in BC – available noon – 1am – chat support: http://youthinbc.com

To find out if your sessions with me can be covered, please contact your insurance or extended health benefits program first. You can give them the following information: Leanna Madill is a Master Therapeutic Counsellor, registered with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (registration number #2400) and is a Registered Professional Counsellor, registered with Canadian Professional Counsellor’s Association (registration number #3618).

The convenience of having your counselling session online allows you to navigate a busy schedule with work or family and still get the support you deserve. This counselling method is also cost effective since no travel is required to get to and from an office. As well, counselling online allows you to experience your process from the comfort of your own home and sometimes people feel more open to sharing their struggles with a counsellor who they likely won’t run into at the local store.

If you find yourself in a state of crisis, there is FREE 24 hr/7days a week support. There are trained professionals who have skills like counsellors to help you when you are lonely, sad, depressed, desperate, or angry, or scared. The first crisis line is for all ages and is available to people who are worried about a friend or family member who is in danger. Crisis Line – BC available 24/7 1-800-784-2433 YouthSpace.ca (for ages under 30)– available 6pm-midnight in Canada – text support: 778-783-0177 Youth in BC (for ages 25 and under but they do not turn anyone away) – available noon – 1am in BC and Yukon– chat support: http://youthinbc.com