How to Begin Counselling?
Starting counselling can feel intimidating. Uncertainty about what to expect and how to begin can feel overwhelming. Many people hesitate to seek the support they deserve because of fear of the unknown or concerns about being judged or seen as weak. Sometimes we justify "putting it off" by saying we "don't have the time or the money." Other times, we delay in the hope that we can "figure it out ourselves" or believe that once certain circumstances change, things will improve. Unfortunately, this often results in more of the same difficulties.
There is no right or wrong way to begin. You start with one step: asking for help. Despite what many of us have been told, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The counselling relationship is meant to be your safe place to explore, reflect, transform, and discover the life you were intended for. While this process may require confronting painful emotions, thoughts, memories, and realities we have tried to avoid—sometimes intentionally and sometimes not—we can often release that pain by acknowledging it.
Finding a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and connected is essential to support you on this journey. Allowing someone else to share in both your pain and joy, your strengths and challenges, can foster the courage and skills necessary to navigate this experience. This means don't hesitate to ask about their qualifications, training, and any other aspects that matter to you. It is not unusual, and even recommended, to meet with multiple counsellors to find the right match for your needs. Research indicates that the quality of the therapeutic relationship significantly influences positive treatment outcomes; often, the strength of this connection matters more than any specific technique. It is essential to feel safe, heard, and understood in your collaboration with your counsellor as you work toward a more satisfying life. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and you deserve a supportive partnership throughout this process.
There is no right or wrong way to begin. You start with one step: asking for help. Despite what many of us have been told, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The counselling relationship is meant to be your safe place to explore, reflect, transform, and discover the life you were intended for. While this process may require confronting painful emotions, thoughts, memories, and realities we have tried to avoid—sometimes intentionally and sometimes not—we can often release that pain by acknowledging it.
Finding a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and connected is essential to support you on this journey. Allowing someone else to share in both your pain and joy, your strengths and challenges, can foster the courage and skills necessary to navigate this experience. This means don't hesitate to ask about their qualifications, training, and any other aspects that matter to you. It is not unusual, and even recommended, to meet with multiple counsellors to find the right match for your needs. Research indicates that the quality of the therapeutic relationship significantly influences positive treatment outcomes; often, the strength of this connection matters more than any specific technique. It is essential to feel safe, heard, and understood in your collaboration with your counsellor as you work toward a more satisfying life. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and you deserve a supportive partnership throughout this process.
About Me (Serena)
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to witness the profound possibilities of healing. I have come to know—not simply believe—that there is always hope, “no matter how far down the scale we’ve gone.” I believe each of us has the right and the capacity to decide which parts of our history and legacy we want to carry forward, and which parts we are ready to leave behind.
Being a counsellor is a privilege I do not take lightly. I am humbled each day by the courage of those who trust me with their stories—the darkest parts, the brightest parts, and everything in between. I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel safe, heard, understood, and free to explore who they are and who they want to become.
I have worked in the fields of mental health and addictions since 2004. I hold a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Socio-Behavioural Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals navigating addictive behaviours, PTSD, complex and intergenerational trauma, childhood sexual abuse, interpersonal and relationship challenges, family-of-origin concerns, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and the many emotional and behavioural patterns that can develop in response to difficult experiences.
My approach to healing is grounded in a bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective. I believe that meaningful healing involves caring for the whole person—our bodies, minds, emotions, relationships, sense of meaning, and connection to something greater than ourselves. While understanding the roots of self-defeating or self-destructive thoughts and behaviours can be an important part of therapy, I also want to understand the strengths, wisdom, and resilience that have helped you survive and brought you to this point.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to bring my experience, knowledge, and therapeutic skills alongside your strengths, experiences, and insights. Together, we can develop a therapeutic path that feels meaningful and responsive to your needs, your goals, and where you are in your life right now.
To support this process, I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and polyvagal-informed approaches. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), EMDR G-TEP, EMDR R-TEP, and EMDR DETUR. In addition, I am certified as a Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), and in the Safe and Sound Protocol through Unyte Integrated Listening.
Ultimately, I hope therapy can offer you more than relief from what hurts. I hope it can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, reconnect with your strengths, heal from what has happened to you, and create a life and relationships that feel more whole, authentic, and your own.
Being a counsellor is a privilege I do not take lightly. I am humbled each day by the courage of those who trust me with their stories—the darkest parts, the brightest parts, and everything in between. I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel safe, heard, understood, and free to explore who they are and who they want to become.
I have worked in the fields of mental health and addictions since 2004. I hold a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Socio-Behavioural Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals navigating addictive behaviours, PTSD, complex and intergenerational trauma, childhood sexual abuse, interpersonal and relationship challenges, family-of-origin concerns, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and the many emotional and behavioural patterns that can develop in response to difficult experiences.
My approach to healing is grounded in a bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective. I believe that meaningful healing involves caring for the whole person—our bodies, minds, emotions, relationships, sense of meaning, and connection to something greater than ourselves. While understanding the roots of self-defeating or self-destructive thoughts and behaviours can be an important part of therapy, I also want to understand the strengths, wisdom, and resilience that have helped you survive and brought you to this point.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to bring my experience, knowledge, and therapeutic skills alongside your strengths, experiences, and insights. Together, we can develop a therapeutic path that feels meaningful and responsive to your needs, your goals, and where you are in your life right now.
To support this process, I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and polyvagal-informed approaches. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), EMDR G-TEP, EMDR R-TEP, and EMDR DETUR. In addition, I am certified as a Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), and in the Safe and Sound Protocol through Unyte Integrated Listening.
Ultimately, I hope therapy can offer you more than relief from what hurts. I hope it can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, reconnect with your strengths, heal from what has happened to you, and create a life and relationships that feel more whole, authentic, and your own.
CCPCP-r. with the Canadian College of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists
The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals
MPCC with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association
EMDR Trained Clinician and EMDRIA Member with EMDRIA
Safe & Sound Protocol Provider with Unyte Integrated Listening Therapies
The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals
MPCC with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association
EMDR Trained Clinician and EMDRIA Member with EMDRIA
Safe & Sound Protocol Provider with Unyte Integrated Listening Therapies