Getting Started on choosing a Registered Psychologist, Counsellor or Therapist in Vancouver, B.C.

Judith Beale, M.A. Registered Psychologist – First steps for Couples, Relationship or Marital Counselling.

Step 1 - Initial Phone Contact Assessment

The first step toward counselling involves a very basic assessment /discussion over the phone. I will ask you some general questions by phone about your current situation or what is happening in your life now that you are thinking about seeking help for. You may or may not be able to clearly define your problems or be at all certain as to whether you really need counselling at this time. I am open to discussing and hearing what is going on for one or both of you by phone, regardless of how well you can articulate or express your problems and concerns, and regardless of your level of certainty about pursuing counselling.

One or both parties may choose to contact me for this initial 10-20 minute phone contact/ assessment, which serves the following purposes:

• • To answer questions you may have of my competence to work with your issues, my availability and other issues of concern such as confidentiality, cost etc.
• • To provide you with some alternative referrals where possible and appropriate
• • To determine if there are any obvious reasons your problems and issues may not be appropriate or best addressed in couples counselling at this time
• • To set up an appointment for an Initial In Person Couple's Assessment

For all couples sessions I will provide either a 50 or 70-minute timeframe with the associated cost. This can be arranged in advance or during the session as the process unfolds and is mutually agreed upon. See link to fees

Step 2 - Initial In-Person Couple's Assessment (by Appointment Only)

At the start of the Couple's In Person Assessment, I will talk about confidentiality, rights, and counselling structure and also obtain your written consent to proceed. During the Initial Stage of the In Person Assessment, not only will I be assessing you both and your situation but you will be assessing many things too:

• • do you feel comfortable with me
• • how does your partner seem in the session
• • do I understand most of what you are saying
• • do I answer your questions adequately
• • do you think we can work collaboratively together

The initial couple's assessment will be an opportunity for both parties to speak about how they perceive and are experiencing their relationship difficulties. I will ask questions that facilitate exploration of the problem areas you both identify and assess relational dynamics between you and with myself as a new third party. I will ask you both questions about areas of your life that are stressing your relationship and conversely whether your relationship issues are interfering in these other areas. This session is intended as an opportunity for you both to speak as much or as little as you can from your own unique subjective points of view. The focus here is on understanding and respecting each other's differences without judgement or criticism and my role is, in part, to keep this focus a priority. During the assessment phase we may determine that an immediate intervention or treatment is necessary and if so I will address this directly.

Step 3 - One Time Private Assessment Session with Each Individual - Optional, to be determined.

In some cases, the next step in the assessment process is to see each of you privately for one session. This is intended for a personal history taking and to determine if there may be any issue(s) that needs to be addressed prior to commencing couple's work. This session is completely confidential. Whatever may be identified as either an obstacle or pre requisite to couple's counselling is the responsibility of the individual being assessed to disclose to his or her partner.

This will be the only time I see either party individually. If individual counselling is also requested or recommended during the couple's process, I will provide you with referrals.

Counselling Commitment or Mutual Agreement

After these two Assessment sessions, (couples and one time private assessments sessions), we need to arrive at a consensus on a number of issues such as problem areas to address; goals or objectives; timeframe of short or longer term therapy; frequency of sessions and scheduling. It is important to assess and determine together whether or not the timing is right for you and that you both are able to commit to the work ahead. If we arrive at a mutual agreement to proceed, I am committed to working very hard with you toward your objectives and expectations for counselling or psychotherapy. Please feel free to contact me by phone at 604-224-6236 and refer to the contact link.