Expert Existential Therapy Services in Canada

Taking Your First Step: Initial Contact & Free Consultation

Starting therapy takes courage. We understand that reaching out can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already struggling. That's why we've designed our first step to be as gentle and supportive as possible.

Your journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation. No commitment. No pressure. Just a warm conversation to see if we're the right fit for your healing journey.

What to Expect During Your Free Consultation

This brief conversation is your opportunity to meet Melissa Davies, our registered clinical counsellor, and share what's bringing you to therapy. You'll discuss your current concerns in a safe, non-judgmental space. Melissa will explain how existential therapy might help you find deeper meaning and peace in your life.

The consultation is completely flexible. We can meet in person at our Nanaimo office, connect online through a secure video platform, or simply talk by phone. Whatever feels most comfortable for you.

During this time, you can ask any questions about the therapeutic process. Wonder about confidentiality? Curious about session frequency? Concerned about costs or insurance coverage? This is your time to get clear answers.

Multiple Ways to Connect

What Happens After Your Consultation

If you both feel it's a good match, you'll schedule your first full session. This intake appointment typically lasts 50 minutes and can happen in whatever format works best for you. We'll complete some basic paperwork together. Nothing overwhelming. Just essential information to help Melissa understand your unique story and what you hope to achieve.

You'll discuss your goals collaboratively. Maybe you're searching for life's meaning after a major transition. Perhaps you're grappling with anxiety about mortality or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. Existential therapy helps you explore these deep questions in a supportive environment.

Preparing for Your First Contact

Before reaching out, take a moment to reflect on what's prompting you to seek therapy. You don't need to have everything figured out. Sometimes the answer is simply "I know I need support, but I'm not sure where to start." That's perfectly valid.

If you have extended health benefits, gather that information. We offer direct billing with many insurance providers across British Columbia, including First Nations Health Authority, Pacific Blue Cross, and SunLife, making your care more accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the consultation really free?Yes, absolutely. This 15-minute conversation helps us both determine if we're a good therapeutic match before you invest in full sessions.

What if I'm too anxious to talk on the phone?Email us first. We can arrange the consultation in whatever way feels safest for you, including starting with written communication.

Do I need to know exactly what's wrong before calling?Not at all. Many clients start with a general sense that something needs to change. We'll explore your concerns together during the consultation and first session.

What if I've never done therapy before?Most of our clients are new to therapy. Melissa specializes in creating a welcoming environment for first-time clients, explaining the process clearly and moving at your pace.

Can I bring someone with me?For the consultation, you're welcome to have support nearby if that helps you feel more comfortable. We can discuss what works best for ongoing sessions.

You're Not Alone in This

Taking this first step shows incredible strength. Whether you're questioning life's purpose, struggling with difficult transitions, or seeking deeper meaning in your experiences, existential therapy offers a path toward understanding and growth.

Melissa's approach is collaborative and culturally inclusive. She sees you as a whole person, not just symptoms to treat. Together, you'll explore the questions that matter most to you in a space designed for healing and discovery.

Ready to begin? Reach out today. Your future self will thank you for taking this brave first step toward a more meaningful and peaceful life.

Step 2: Assessment & Goal Setting

Your intake session is where we begin understanding your unique story. This is our foundation together.

During this comprehensive 50-minute session, we'll explore what brings you here and what you hope to discover about yourself. Think of this as a collaborative conversation rather than a clinical evaluation. We're building the roadmap for your existential journey together.

What to Bring & How to Prepare

• Government-issued photo identification
• Extended health insurance information (if applicable)
• Any relevant medical or mental health records you'd like to share
• A list of current medications or supplements
• Your thoughts on what you hope to achieve through therapy
• Any questions or concerns about the therapeutic process

Before our session, take some quiet time to reflect. What aspects of your existence feel unclear or troubling? What values matter most to you? These reflections will help guide our conversation, though there's no pressure to have all the answers.

The Assessment Process

We begin with paperwork that captures your personal history and current concerns. This isn't about labeling or diagnosing. It's about understanding.

I'll use gentle questionnaires that explore your emotional well-being, anxiety levels, and overall life satisfaction. These tools help us identify patterns and starting points for our work together. You might complete brief surveys about your mood, stress levels, or how you're managing daily life. Everything we discuss remains confidential and serves your healing journey.

We'll also explore your cultural background, relationships, and life experiences that have shaped who you are today. This cultural exploration ensures our work together honours your unique identity and values.

Collaborative Goal Setting

Goals in existential therapy aren't about fixing problems. They're about discovery.

Together, we'll identify what you want to explore about your existence, your values, and your sense of meaning. Maybe you're questioning your life's direction. Perhaps you're struggling with feelings of emptiness or searching for authentic purpose. Or you might be grappling with major life transitions that have shaken your sense of self.

We'll establish both immediate focuses and longer-term aspirations for your therapeutic journey. These goals remain flexible because existential exploration often reveals unexpected paths and insights along the way.

Session Formats & Scheduling

Addressing Common Concerns

Will I be judged or pathologized? Absolutely not. Existential therapy views you as the expert on your own experience. My role is to walk alongside you as you explore life's big questions, not to judge or label your struggles.

What if I don't know what my goals are? That's perfectly normal and often where the most meaningful work begins. Not knowing what you want from life can be the starting point for profound self-discovery.

How long will this process take? Existential exploration unfolds at your pace. Some people find clarity in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term therapeutic relationships. We'll regularly assess your progress and adjust accordingly.

What if I become emotional during assessment? Emotions are welcome and honoured in our space. Crying, anger, confusion, or any other feelings that arise are natural parts of examining your existence and experiences.

This assessment phase creates the foundation for meaningful therapeutic work. By the end of our intake session, you'll have a clear understanding of how we'll work together and what you can expect from your existential therapy journey.

Remember, this is your process. You set the pace, and you determine what feels most important to explore as we begin this journey of self-discovery together.

Step 3: Your Ongoing Existential Therapy Sessions

This is where the real work begins. Your ongoing sessions become a sacred space for deep exploration. Together, we'll dive into the questions that matter most to you.

What Each Session Looks Like

Every session follows a gentle rhythm designed around your needs. We start with connection. How are you feeling today? What's been stirring in your mind since we last met? This check-in grounds us both in the present moment.

The heart of our work unfolds in the middle portion. Here, we explore your unique existence. We might examine a value that's been calling to you. Perhaps we'll sit with a difficult emotion that's been visiting. Sometimes we'll explore what freedom means in your specific circumstances, or we'll gently approach the anxiety that comes with life's uncertainties.

Each session closes with integration. We'll reflect on insights that emerged. You'll receive personalized practices to carry forward. This isn't homework in the traditional sense but rather invitations to continue our work between sessions.

Therapeutic Techniques We'll Use Together

Your Between-Session Journey

Growth happens in the spaces between our meetings. You'll receive personalized invitations to continue our work.

Your meaning journal becomes a trusted companion. Write about moments when life felt particularly meaningful. Notice what circumstances created that sense of purpose. Record questions that arise about your existence. There's no right or wrong way to approach this practice.

Values-based decision making becomes a daily practice. When facing choices, pause and ask yourself which option aligns with your authentic values. Start small with everyday decisions. Notice how this feels different from choosing based on others' expectations.

Mindful mortality reflection might sound intense, but it's surprisingly liberating. Spend a few minutes each week contemplating life's precious, finite nature. This isn't morbid thinking but rather a practice that helps you prioritize what truly matters.

Freedom exercises help you recognize choice even in difficult circumstances. Each day, identify one area where you have more freedom than you initially realized. Practice taking responsibility for choices within your control while accepting what lies beyond it.

Tracking Your Growth and Progress

We'll monitor your journey using approaches that honour the subjective nature of existential growth. Traditional symptom scales have their place, but existential therapy requires more nuanced measurement.

Your personal meaning assessment involves regular conversations about how connected you feel to purpose in your life. We'll explore whether you're living according to your values. You'll notice shifts in how you approach difficult decisions. These qualitative changes often prove more significant than numerical scores.

Anxiety and depression measures help us understand how existential work impacts your overall wellbeing. Many clients find that addressing fundamental life questions naturally reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. We'll track these changes through gentle check-ins and standardized questionnaires when helpful.

Freedom and choice awareness grows throughout our work together. You'll develop increased recognition of personal agency. Responsibility for your choices becomes less burdensome and more empowering. We'll regularly discuss how this shift feels in your daily life.

Your Support Between Sessions

You're not alone in this journey. Our therapeutic relationship extends beyond our scheduled meetings through carefully boundaried support.

Brief check-ins via secure messaging help you process insights that arise between sessions. Share a meaningful realization from your journal. Ask questions about practices we've discussed. Request clarification about concepts we've explored together.

Crisis support remains available when existential anxiety becomes overwhelming. Sometimes confronting life's big questions triggers intense emotions. You'll have clear guidance about when and how to reach out for additional support.

Resource recommendations continue throughout our work. Books, articles, podcasts, and films that align with your specific existential interests. These materials deepen your understanding and provide additional perspectives on questions you're exploring.

Flexibility in Your Healing Process

Your therapy adapts to your evolving needs. Some sessions focus intensely on specific existential themes. Others integrate creative expression through art or writing. Occasionally, we'll incorporate somatic awareness to help you feel existential insights in your body.

Session frequency adjusts based on your progress and life circumstances. Weekly meetings provide consistent support during intensive exploration periods. Bi-weekly sessions work well when you're integrating insights into daily life. Monthly check-ins help maintain growth during more stable periods.

Your collaborative role remains central throughout this process. You guide the pace of exploration. You choose which existential themes feel most pressing. Together, we create a therapeutic experience that honours your unique journey toward authentic living.

This ongoing work transforms how you relate to yourself and your existence. You'll develop comfort with life's uncertainties. Purpose emerges from within rather than external validation. Freedom becomes a source of empowerment rather than anxiety.

Step 4: Celebrating Growth & Planning Your Path Forward

You've reached a remarkable milestone. This moment represents not an ending, but a beautiful transformation into your next chapter of growth and self-discovery.

Recognizing Your Progress

Together, we'll take time to honour the journey you've traveled. Your courage to explore life's deepest questions has created meaningful change. We use gentle assessment tools to measure your progress, including questionnaires that track your emotional wellbeing, anxiety levels, and overall life satisfaction. These aren't clinical labels but rather snapshots that help us see how far you've come.

You might notice:

• Greater clarity about your values and life purpose
• Increased comfort with uncertainty and life's complexities
• Stronger sense of personal responsibility and freedom
• Improved ability to create meaning from difficult experiences
• Enhanced relationships built on authentic connection
• Reduced anxiety about death, isolation, or meaninglessness

Signs You're Ready to Transition

Completion isn't about perfection. It's about readiness.

You may feel prepared when you can navigate life's existential challenges with greater ease. Perhaps you've developed your own toolkit for finding meaning during difficult times. Maybe you're creating authentic relationships that reflect your true values. These are the markers of deep, lasting change.

Some clients describe feeling more "at home" with themselves. Others speak of embracing both joy and sorrow as essential parts of the human experience. Your readiness might look different, and that's perfectly valid.

Your Maintenance Plan

Growth continues beyond our formal sessions. We'll create a personalized maintenance strategy that fits your unique life circumstances.

This might include:

• Monthly check-in sessions to maintain momentum
• Seasonal reviews during times of transition
• Access to mindfulness resources and existential reading materials
• Journaling practices that deepen self-reflection
• Community connections that support your ongoing growth

Your maintenance plan becomes a living document. It evolves as you do, adapting to new life circumstances and continued discoveries about yourself.

Ongoing Support Options

Our relationship doesn't end here. Life brings new challenges, transitions, and opportunities for growth.

We serve clients across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario through secure online sessions and in-person appointments in Nanaimo. Distance never limits access to continued support when you need it.

Celebrating Your Courage

Take a moment to appreciate what you've accomplished. Existential exploration requires tremendous bravery. You've faced questions that many people spend lifetimes avoiding. You've sat with uncertainty and found strength in vulnerability.

This work ripples outward, touching every relationship and experience in your life. The authenticity you've cultivated becomes a gift to everyone around you. Your willingness to live meaningfully inspires others to do the same.

Looking Forward

Your journey of self-discovery continues beyond these walls. The tools you've developed, the insights you've gained, and the courage you've cultivated become permanent parts of who you are.

Remember that growth isn't linear. There will be moments of doubt, periods of questioning, and times when old patterns resurface. This is normal and expected. What's different now is your capacity to meet these moments with wisdom, self-compassion, and the knowledge that you have the strength to navigate whatever comes.

You're not walking this path alone. Our therapeutic relationship remains a resource you can access whenever life calls for deeper exploration or additional support. Your growth matters, your questions have value, and your continued journey deserves celebration.

The door remains open. Your story continues to unfold. And we're honoured to have been part of this transformative chapter in your life.