Getting Started: What to Expect
A Personal Approach to Therapy
At Nourishing Change Psychotherapy, I intentionally maintain a smaller practice with particular areas of focus, including eating disorders, disordered eating, body image, and anxiety. This allows me to be thoughtful about the work I take on and to offer care that is personalized and responsive to each person's needs.
What does this mean for you?
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You'll communicate directly with me. Whether you reach out through my website contact form, by email, or by phone, I'm the person who receives and responds to your inquiry. There's no assistant or intake staff to speak with first, and you won't need to explain your situation to someone else before being passed along. I aim to respond within one business day, Monday through Friday.
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Our work will be tailored to you. I take time between sessions to reflect on our conversations, consider what might be helpful next, and identify resources or approaches that may be useful. Rather than following a predetermined plan, we'll work together to find what fits your needs and circumstances.
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You benefit from my areas of focus and ongoing learning. I bring particular experience in eating disorders, body image, and anxiety, while remaining open to the other concerns and life challenges that bring people to therapy. I regularly engage in professional development and training to continue expanding the knowledge and approaches I can bring to our work.
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You'll have my attention. I make a point of arriving prepared and being fully present during our sessions, with time and space to focus on what you're bringing to therapy.
Taking the First Step
Reaching out to a therapist can feel daunting, especially when you're already dealing with a lot or aren't quite sure where to begin. You don't need to have everything figured out before contacting me, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to work on.
You can get in touch through my website contact form, by email, or by phone. I'll respond directly to you, usually within one business day (Monday through Friday), and we can take it from there.
Starting with a Phone Consultation
Before scheduling ongoing sessions, I offer a brief phone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to connect, for you to share a little about what brings you to therapy, and for you to ask questions about my approach or services.
It also helps us consider whether my experience and approach are a good fit for what you're looking for. Finding the right therapist matters, and I want you to have an opportunity to get a feel for working with me before deciding whether to proceed. I'll also consider whether I'm well placed to offer the support you need.
You don't need to prepare a detailed account of your experiences or share anything you're not comfortable discussing at this stage. It's simply an initial conversation to help us decide whether it makes sense to take the next step.
Our First Few Sessions
If we decide to work together, the first one to three sessions will generally focus on getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and exploring what you'd like help with. We'll begin identifying your goals and developing a shared understanding of what might be contributing to your difficulties and what could help.
Some people arrive with a clear idea of what they want to work on; others know something isn't feeling right but aren't sure how to put it into words. Both are okay. We'll take time to understand your experiences and determine where to focus, rather than rushing to solutions before we've had a chance to understand the bigger picture.
You don't need to tell your whole story all at once. Building trust and understanding takes time, and we'll work at a pace that allows you to feel comfortable while making room for meaningful progress.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, relationships, and physical experiences can all influence one another. Sometimes, what brings someone to therapy is connected to other difficulties in their life in ways that aren't immediately obvious.
I aim to understand these connections rather than look at each concern in isolation. This can be particularly important when working with eating disorders, where food, body image, emotional well-being, relationships, and physical health may all be intertwined.
If you're already working with another therapist or health professional, that doesn't automatically mean you need to choose between providers. Depending on your needs, we can discuss how my role might complement the support you're already receiving and whether collaboration with other professionals would be helpful. Any collaboration would take place with your consent and appropriate attention to confidentiality.
In-Person and Virtual Sessions
I offer in-person therapy in Owen Sound, as well as virtual sessions for clients across Ontario. Many clients prefer to meet in person, and I welcome that. Virtual sessions can also be a helpful option when distance, scheduling, accessibility, or personal preference makes meeting online a better fit.
Whichever format we use, I aim to create a comfortable space where you can focus on yourself and the work you're doing. If we're meeting virtually, you're welcome to bring your coffee or tea, a snack, or a favourite comfort item. Four-legged companions are welcome, too, when circumstances allow!
Is This this Right Fit?
Choosing a therapist is personal. If you have questions, would like to learn more about how I work, or want to get a sense of whether we'd be a good fit, I'd be happy to hear from you.
You don't have to be certain that therapy is right for you before reaching out. The first step is simply an opportunity to connect and explore whether working together makes sense for you.
Click HERE to learn more about my experience and therapeutic approach.
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If you are ready to schedule a free 20 min introductory consultation.