William Cooke and Associates Counselling and Psychotherapy
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What to expect from your first counselling session

28/1/2015

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Our clients have described the first session as a "professional, collaborative consultation."  We put our heads together with you to understand the problem that has come into your life and we begin to map out ways that your relationship with that problem can be changed for the better.  Common problems include:  problems with mood (depression or anxiety); problems in a relationship (conflicts, broken trust, concerns about intimacy and closeness, violence); problems stemming from recent or past traumatic events; family conficts (with children, teens or parents); some form of addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography); problems at work (conflicts, need for a change, returning to work after a leave); challenges with education or career planning, or a general state of unhappiness.

Prior to your first appointment, we will communicate with you by phone or email and send you a client information form which you can fill out and bring to the first session.  _
If you are meeting at our office, we will provide directions on how to get there by car or public transit.  Your appointment time, fee, extended health coverage and payment options will all be confirmed in advance. 

Our office at 2133 Bloor Street West in Toronto is located in a warm and welcoming century home. The owner, Andrew Grenda, operates Paris Hair Salon on the main floor.  You will take some external and internal stairs to our second floor offices, where you will find a waiting area with a washroom.  We provide water, and there are many coffee shops in the area if you would like to bring a coffee or tea with you.

In our first meeting, we get to know one another.  We invite any questions you have about the counselling process, how we work, who we are, our backgrounds or approaches.  We ask you what has you thinking that counselling might be helpful at this time in your life or relationship.  We learn what you may have tried already to address your concern - what has worked and what hasn't.  We learn how you want life to be different, and why.

As the session concludes, we will summarize our understanding of what brings you to counselling, what outcomes you hope for and where you see counselling fitting in.  We will let you know if we believe that we have the expereince and skills needed to help you.  We share a preliminary map of the counselling process we anticipate and how long it might take.  We discuss fees and budgets.  We invite you to go home, review the experience, and let us know if you'd like to proceed with a follow-up appointment.


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    Practice Information

    William Cooke

    is a Registered Social Worker. He started William Cooke & Associates in 1996. 

    Rhea Plosker

    is a Certified Canadian Counsellor. She has been an associate with William Cooke & Associates since 2014.

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