Frequently asked questions
Counseling is a professional relationship that focuses on empowering individuals to overcome personal challenges, achieve their goals, and improve their overall well-being. It involves talking with a trained counselor who provides support, guidance, and practical strategies. The approach that a counsellor uses can vary between counsellors.
Read Below for Conscious Recoverys Specific Approach.
Counseling can help you understand and manage your emotions, cope with stress, improve relationships, and make positive changes in your life.
Counsellors are trained to support early intervention and prevention of clinical mental health disorders, as well as support within clinical mental health issues. A clinical mental health issue is when symptoms reach a level that meets the criteria for a diagnosis from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
How counselling helps anyone, is a very individual and unique experience and can take some trail and error to find your person. This is why at Conscious Recovery, we try to make this process as supportive as possible with a free initial consult to find out if we are a good fit for you.
Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses literature and reading materials to support mental health and well-being. It involves the use of books, articles, poems, and other written materials as tools to facilitate personal insight, emotional healing, and behavioral change. Bibliotherapy can be used as a standalone intervention or as a complement to other therapeutic modalities.
Specifically at Conscious Recovery, we believe that reading and working towards mental wellness is meant to be an enjoyable experience, not everything that is good for you, is meant to be hard work. In alignment with this, we focus our bibliotherapy recommendations and process in fantasy and science fiction, because who doesn't want to read about dragons, vampires and witches and have the added benefit of self discovery and mental wellness.
Emotional Healing
Reading about characters and situations similar to one's own experiences can provide comfort, validation, and a sense of connection, reducing feelings of isolation and distress. This can be achieved by
Cognitive Insight
Bibliotherapy can help individuals gain new perspectives, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop problem-solving skills.
Behavioral Change
Through identifying with characters and stories, individuals can learn and adopt healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms.
Stress Reduction
Engaging with literature can provide a relaxing and immersive escape, reducing stress and promoting mental relaxation.
Self-Reflection
Reading can stimulate self-reflection and self-awareness, helping individuals better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Existential therapy is a type of counselling that helps people explore life’s deeper questions, such as meaning, purpose, freedom, and identity. Instead of focusing only on symptoms, it looks at how you relate to yourself, others, and the world around you. The therapist provides a supportive space for reflection, helping you face challenges, understand your choices, and live in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Existential therapy can help you make sense of life’s challenges, clarify what truly matters to you, and feel more in control of your choices. It offers a safe space to explore questions about meaning, identity, and direction, especially during times of change, loss, or uncertainty. By reflecting on your experiences, you can build greater self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to live more authentically.
Therapy progress can be measured in various ways, such as feeling more in control of your emotions, experiencing improved relationships, and achieving personal goals. Regularly discussing your progress with your therapist can help you understand the changes you're experiencing. It's also important to feel comfortable and supported by your therapist, as a strong therapeutic relationship is key to effective therapy.
In your first therapy session, you can expect to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your personal history, and your goals for treatment. The therapist will ask questions to understand your concerns and may explain their approach to therapy. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and determine if the therapist is a good fit for you.