Who Do We Help With Counselling?
Zenith Counselling offers in-person counselling in Kitchener, Ontario and virtual counselling across Ontario to teens, adults and couples.
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling is the bread-and-butter of the traditional western model of therapy and we can trace its roots to Freud’s practice of psychoanalysis. Things have definitely changed since Freud’s day, but what remains constant is the practice of one counsellor working with one client in promoting psychological wellness. This is the setup generally used to explore issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and self-esteem (among many others).
Though no individual exists in a vacuum, we at Zenith Counselling believe that there is great worth to be found in each and every individual. Be it subtle, unseen changes or monumental shifts in life, we consider your ability to choose as the foundation of meaningful change.
The structure of these counselling sessions can be anything from a source of psychoeducation to a place of deep reflection. At the very least, individual counselling will function as a place where you feel heard and respected without judgement.
Relationship Counselling
Commitments made to another person are not made lightly. Problems can materialize in relationships new and old. Consider that each person is carrying YEARS of personal experiences and an entirely unique perspective into a relationship. It’s understandable that there will be times where each person may not see eye-to-eye. Breakdowns in communication can reach the extremes of heated arguments and infidelity, but it would be a mistake to consider this to mean that the love is lost in the relationship.
If it were up to you, it’s likely that you’d never choose to be in an argument with your significant other. In these situations, the message each partner is looking to relay is often lost in translation. Couples counselling intends to provide perspective for each partner to gain insight into their attachment and communication styles.
We can all recognize that clear communication is key… and it is often the first thing to go missing when we need it most. Our desperate attempts to find the words to express what we need can quickly become a heated argument. Our emotions are effective at getting a point across but have the potential to lead to unintended responses from our partners, even leaving them hurt in the process.
Unlike individual counselling, relationship counselling emphasizes the relationship as the client. The work in-session will consist of focusing on how each partner expresses themselves. This is key in aligning with one another through times of distress and ease and will be an opportunity to learn healthier ways to express what each partner needs from the relationship. We place emphasis on understanding the emotions each partner expresses to one another when in distress. These emotions may seem to be the complicating factor during arguments, but emotions are essential to create clearer communication in relationships. Emotions like anger, jealousy, and frustration may seem like obstacles but are important in letting those around us understand what we need from them. This is no different in a relationship.
Generally, the first session will include both partners with the second and third sessions being held with each partner individually. However, this can be adjusted case-by-case. If you have any concerns or doubts about what couples counselling might look like for you and your partner, we welcome any questions you may have.
Counselling for Teens in Kitchener-Waterloo
Let’s be real: being a teen is weird. Even if everything else in life is working out just fine, simply existing between the ages of 13-19 is complicated by itself. Biological, emotional, and social changes seemingly come out of nowhere and hit you all at once. These changes usually make for an interesting time for everyone involved (shoutout to the concerned parents reading this).
From bullying and issues with self-image to figuring out what the hell is going on emotionally, counselling is a discrete place where you are able to openly share your experience without judgement. Oftentimes, simply speaking about something that is on your mind can provide a sense of relief. We’re not so far from once being teens ourselves (believe it or not) and have enough personality to take the edge off of this whole counselling thing.
If you’re a parent and have some concerns about your child, please contact us so that we can work together to support your teen in a way that is most beneficial for them and, most importantly, includes them in the process. Making decisions without including your teen is a pretty reliable way to accomplish the exact opposite of what you intend while sending the message that your teen is incapable of expressing their own autonomy.