Counselling and Therapy in Bedford, Nova Scotia
Working with a Psychologist
When we are ill or injured, most of us have little hesitation about seeking help from a physician. When we don’t feel well physically we want to do something about it so that our suffering stops. If someone can help us feel better sooner, why not take advantage of this? It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?
However, it seems like we do not always apply this same reasoning to personal distress and psychological suffering. Perhaps this is due to the stigma that was previously attached to seeking help from a mental health professional. Maybe is it because we believe that we “should always be able to handle personal problems myself”. Perhaps some people believe that seeing a psychologist means that you are weak or even “crazy”.
None of this is true.
However, it seems like we do not always apply this same reasoning to personal distress and psychological suffering. Perhaps this is due to the stigma that was previously attached to seeking help from a mental health professional. Maybe is it because we believe that we “should always be able to handle personal problems myself”. Perhaps some people believe that seeing a psychologist means that you are weak or even “crazy”.
None of this is true.
What Therapy Really Is
Working with a psychologist certainly does not mean that you are “crazy”, “weak”, or that this is something you should be embarrassed by. Consulting with a psychologist (either for therapy or assessment) simply means that you have identified issues in your life that you would like to address with the help of a professional. It means that you would like to make positive changes in your life so that you will be happier, make healthier decisions, feel better about yourself, and be more likely to succeed academically, in your career, and in your relationships.
Seeing a psychologist does not have to be a “last resort” after years of struggling or suffering. We often work with normal, healthy people who may be going through a particularly difficult time in their lives (for example, depressed mood, family difficulties, relationship problems, etc.) and would like to address these issues before they become more problematic.
Counselling does not have to be a long-term commitment, nor does it take years to notice the benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated that psychotherapy clients can start to notice an improvement in their situation after just a few sessions.
Seeing a psychologist does not have to be a “last resort” after years of struggling or suffering. We often work with normal, healthy people who may be going through a particularly difficult time in their lives (for example, depressed mood, family difficulties, relationship problems, etc.) and would like to address these issues before they become more problematic.
Counselling does not have to be a long-term commitment, nor does it take years to notice the benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated that psychotherapy clients can start to notice an improvement in their situation after just a few sessions.
How We See Life Goals and Therapy Goals
At the risk of over-simplifying a very complex topic, we believe that life is about:
Working with a psychologist does not mean that you require someone else to solve problems for you. In fact, this is something that we strongly discourage. Although we can assist our clients with making healthy choices, it is very rare for a psychologist to tell a client exactly what they should do. This is not the goal of therapy. Rather, we believe that it is far more beneficial to help you make your own healthy decisions, have confidence in the choices you make, set and achieve your personal goals…and to eventually be able to do so without the assistance of your psychologist. Ultimately, we want you to say “I don’t think I need therapy anymore…I am confident that I can take what I have learned, apply it to my life, and continue my progress on my own.”
Please take some time to read How We Are Different for more on the Bedford Psychologists approach to therapy.
In summary:
1) Working with a psychologist simply means that you are actively taking steps to improve your life.
2) It works.
Below, we have listed some of the more common presenting issues that people seek help for at Bedford Psychologists. Of course, this is not a complete list of every possible problem we can provide assistance for, so please feel free to contact us if you have a concern that is not listed here.
- Building meaningful and satisfying relationships with others
- Identifying personal goals and working to turn dreams into realities
- Facing fears and insecurities so that they no longer hold us back
- Gaining control over the paths we take in life
- Always learning and growing as individuals
Working with a psychologist does not mean that you require someone else to solve problems for you. In fact, this is something that we strongly discourage. Although we can assist our clients with making healthy choices, it is very rare for a psychologist to tell a client exactly what they should do. This is not the goal of therapy. Rather, we believe that it is far more beneficial to help you make your own healthy decisions, have confidence in the choices you make, set and achieve your personal goals…and to eventually be able to do so without the assistance of your psychologist. Ultimately, we want you to say “I don’t think I need therapy anymore…I am confident that I can take what I have learned, apply it to my life, and continue my progress on my own.”
Please take some time to read How We Are Different for more on the Bedford Psychologists approach to therapy.
In summary:
1) Working with a psychologist simply means that you are actively taking steps to improve your life.
2) It works.
Below, we have listed some of the more common presenting issues that people seek help for at Bedford Psychologists. Of course, this is not a complete list of every possible problem we can provide assistance for, so please feel free to contact us if you have a concern that is not listed here.
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Depression
Self-Esteem
Assertiveness
End of Relationship / Divorce
Video Game or Internet Addiction
LGBT Related
Phobias
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Anxiety
Relationship Problems
Shyness / Social Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Agoraphobia
Anger Management
Other Concerns?
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Stress
Panic Attacks
Grief
Perfectionism
Work Stress
Motivation / Procrastination
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NEW CLIENT?
Due to a full caseload, we are currently unable to accept new referrals for personal therapy.
Due to a full caseload, we are currently unable to accept new referrals for personal therapy.
Bedford Psychologists is partnered with Green Leaf Psychological Services in Halifax. Please use the form below to inquire about our services or to book an appointment at our Halifax location.
