What to Expect From Therapy
Understanding How Therapy Can Help and What Your First Session May Look Like
In-person therapy is available in Calgary and Red Deer, with secure online counselling offered across Alberta and Ontario where available.
How Does Therapy Help?
Therapy offers a supportive and confidential environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, and life experiences with the guidance of a qualified mental health professional.
At Calgary Mental Health & Wellness Centre and Cienna Mental Health & Wellness Centre, we provide in-person therapy in Calgary and Red Deer, along with secure online appointments across Alberta and Ontario where available.
Therapy may help clients address concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, self-esteem concerns, and major life transitions.
Through therapy, clients can develop a deeper understanding of themselves, learn practical coping strategies, strengthen communication skills, build resilience, and make meaningful changes that support their goals and overall well-being.
Skills Therapy Can Help You Develop
Depending on your needs and goals, therapy may help you develop skills in areas such as:
- understanding and managing emotions such as anger, jealousy, grief, sadness, and frustration
- using coping strategies during situations that cause anxiety, fear, overwhelm, or avoidance
- managing stress related to work, school, family, caregiving, relationships, or everyday responsibilities
- navigating relationship concerns, recurring conflict, communication difficulties, or changing boundaries
- developing problem-solving and decision-making skills
- strengthening self-esteem, confidence, self-compassion, and body acceptance
- improving communication, listening, assertiveness, and the ability to express your needs
- recognizing personal strengths, abilities, values, and positive qualities
- reducing the impact of concerns such as panic, persistent worry, emotional distress, or difficulty sleeping
You Do Not Need to Be in Crisis to Begin Therapy
The decision to begin therapy is personal. People seek therapy for many different reasons, including diagnosed mental health conditions, relationship concerns, work or school stress, grief, personal growth, major transitions, or simply feeling that something in life is no longer working.
You do not need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what you want to discuss before scheduling an appointment. Your therapist can help you identify your concerns and clarify what you would like to gain from therapy.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Whether you attend in person in Calgary or Red Deer or meet with your therapist online, your first session is an opportunity for you and your therapist to begin getting to know one another.
Your therapist will ask about the concerns you would like to address, what you hope to gain from therapy, and any goals or preferences you may have for treatment.
You may also be asked about relevant aspects of your history, including significant life experiences, family relationships, health, childhood, school, career, previous treatment, and current sources of stress or support.
You are also encouraged to ask questions about your therapist’s approach, experience, recommendations, and what future sessions may involve.
Building a Supportive Therapeutic Relationship
A trusting and supportive relationship between a client and therapist is an important part of effective therapy. Each therapeutic relationship is unique, but several values guide the care we provide.
During therapy, you can expect:
- to be treated with compassion, empathy, respect, and understanding
- to have space to explain your experiences in your own words and from your own perspective
- to receive evidence-informed strategies, education, and recommendations relevant to your concerns
- to participate in a supportive and confidential therapeutic environment
- to work collaboratively on goals and a treatment plan that reflects your needs
- to receive practical strategies that can be used between sessions and in everyday life
As therapy progresses, you and your therapist can continue evaluating what is helpful, whether your goals have changed, and which approaches may be the best fit.
Where Therapy Is Available
Calgary Mental Health & Wellness Centre
In-person therapy in Calgary and secure online therapy throughout Alberta.
Cienna Mental Health & Wellness Centre
In-person therapy in Red Deer and secure online therapy throughout Alberta.
Secure online psychological services are also available to eligible clients located in Ontario. Availability depends on the therapist’s professional registration, the client’s age, and the service requested.
Find the Right Therapist for You
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to ask questions, discuss what you are looking for, and determine which therapist or service may be the best fit.
Appointment Time Zone Notice
Appointment times on our booking page default to Mountain Time. Clients booking from Ontario should change the time zone to Eastern Time at the top of the booking page before selecting an appointment.
Is Therapy Confidential?
Privacy and confidentiality are important parts of therapy. In general, information shared during therapy is kept confidential and is not disclosed without the client’s consent.
However, confidentiality has legal and professional limits. Information may need to be disclosed when required or permitted by law, when there is a serious safety concern, when there are concerns involving the protection of a child or vulnerable person, or in response to a valid legal requirement.
Confidentiality, consent, parent or guardian involvement, and access to information may also differ when therapy is provided to a child or youth.
Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits during the intake and consent process and can answer any questions you may have before treatment begins.
We look forward to getting to know you and supporting you as you work toward your therapy goals.