What to Expect from the Counselling Experience

By Co-founder & Counsellor Devony Baugh

Embarking on a counselling journey can feel like taking a significant step, one that carries both curiosity and perhaps a little apprehension. Understanding what to expect from the process can help you feel confident as you move forward.

Professional Support with a Purpose

Counselling isn’t like chatting with a friend over coffee.

While friends offer well-intentioned advice, counsellors provide structured, professional guidance tailored to your personal challenges and goals. They’re trained to listen deeply, ask meaningful questions, and use proven approaches to support your growth. A counsellor's role is to walk with you through the challenges and to provide insights that may help you see things from new perspectives, all while respecting your pace and comfort level.

Safe, Confidential, and Respectful Space

Trust allows you to speak openly, without fear of judgement or exposure­.

In counselling, you’re stepping into a safe, non-judgemental environment dedicated solely to your well-being. One of the most essential aspects of this process is the assurance of confidentiality. Everything you share remains between you and your counsellor, with rare exceptions only when safety is a concern. This foundation of trust allows you to speak openly, without fear of judgement or exposure, which many clients describe as a liberating experience that fosters true openness and growth.

Your Story, Your Comfort Level

There’s no rush to reveal everything!

Beginning counselling often involves sharing parts of your life story, helping your counsellor understand the context of your challenges. However, there’s no rush to reveal everything. You’re encouraged to take your time, sharing only what feels comfortable. A good counsellor will gently guide you, respecting your boundaries and building a relationship of trust at your own pace. This thoughtful, supportive approach creates a meaningful experience where you feel empowered to explore, reflect, and grow.

Examples of Counselling in Action

To give you a clearer picture of how counselling works, here are a few examples of situations where professional support can make a real difference:

Example 1: Dealing with Work Stress

Imagine you’re feeling overwhelmed at work. When you talk to a friend, they might say, “Just take it easy!” or “Maybe your boss is just having a bad day.” While these comments are meant to be comforting, they’re often based on personal opinion, and sometimes offered with a touch of flippancy, and may not address the root of the issue.

A counsellor, however, will explore the situation with you more deeply. They might ask questions like, “What specific situations make you feel overwhelmed?” or “How does this impact your overall sense of well-being?” Based on your responses, they may introduce cognitive behavioural strategies to help you reframe unhelpful thought patterns, set helpful boundaries with co-workers or managers, or guide you in developing practical skills to manage stress, tailored specifically to your personality and situation.

Example 2: Navigating Relationship Challenges

Imagine you’re feeling frustrated with your partner because you don’t feel heard in conversations. When you vent to a friend, they might say something like, “Maybe they’re just not good at listening,” or “Have you tried being more assertive?” While these responses can be supportive, they’re often based on limited perspective and may overlook deeper patterns.

In a counselling setting, however, your therapist would approach it more thoughtfully. They may start with offering empathy for how this relationship dynamic feels to you.  They might explore deeper and ask questions like, “How long have you felt unheard in the relationship?” or “Can you think of specific moments when this happens?” By examining these patterns, they could help you identify underlying needs, such as feeling valued or understood. The counsellor might then guide you through communication techniques, such as using “I” statements, that allow you to express your feelings and needs without blame. They might also explore how past experiences or unspoken expectations could be influencing your communication style and your partner’s response. Over time, you learn tools to engage in healthier, more constructive dialogue, creating lasting positive change in your relationship.

Example 3: Healing from Trauma

Perhaps you’ve experienced a traumatic event, and you’re struggling with lingering anxiety, intrusive thoughts and nightmares. When you confide in a friend, they might try to comfort you with reassurances like, “It’s in the past now,” or “You’re safe here.” While these sentiments are caring, they may not provide the depth of support needed to truly process the trauma.

A counsellor, on the other hand, approaches trauma in a structured way, using methods that are specifically designed to help people heal. They might start by helping you understand how trauma affects the brain and body, giving you context for why certain thoughts or sensations feel overwhelming. From there, they could introduce grounding and coping techniques to help you manage anxiety in the moment. Over time, they might guide you through evidence-based therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Body Work, Expressive Art Therapy, or trauma-focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which help you gradually process the trauma in a safe environment.

More Than Just Support

Over time, counsellors help you connect the dots, identifying patterns that may not be immediately apparent.

These examples are just a glimpse of the many ways counselling can offer profound support. Whether you’re facing relationship challenges, healing from trauma, or simply seeking a better understanding of yourself, a counsellor’s guidance is uniquely tailored to your journey. As they listen to you over time, counsellors help you connect the dots, identifying patterns that may not be immediately apparent. By helping you develop effective coping strategies and create lasting change, counselling becomes a valuable tool for navigating life’s complexities.

We’ve heard from many clients—and experienced it ourselves, as some of our team members also seek support through counselling—that it can be deeply comforting and even relaxing to have a space dedicated entirely to your well-being. In counselling, you’re not just working through immediate issues; you’re building a foundation for personal growth, resilience, and a sense of peace that can extend to all areas of your life.