Expert Individual Counselling Services in Canada

Taking Your First Step: Initial Contact & Free Consultation

Starting counselling takes courage. We know this. That's why your first step with Bee Here Counselling begins gently, with understanding, and completely without pressure.

What to Expect

Your journey starts with a free 15-minute consultation. This brief conversation lets you meet Melissa Davies, our registered clinical counsellor, and share what brings you here today. No forms. No commitment. Just a warm, genuine conversation about your needs.

During this consultation, you can ask questions. You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. Melissa will listen carefully and help you understand how counselling might support your goals. This conversation happens by phone, online, or in person at our Nanaimo office, whatever works best for you.

If you decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first full session. This intake session lasts about 50 minutes and can also be held in person, online, or by phone. You'll complete some intake forms that help Melissa understand your background and current concerns. Together, you'll discuss your hopes for counselling and begin creating a treatment plan that feels right for you.

Getting Ready for Your First Contact

Before reaching out, take a moment to think about what you hope to gain from counselling. What would feeling better look like for you? What challenges are you facing right now? There are no wrong answers. Your thoughts will help guide our conversation.

If you have extended health benefits, gather that information. We offer direct billing with many insurance providers, making the process smoother for you. Don't worry if you're unsure about coverage. We can help you figure that out.

Multiple Ways to Connect

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm nervous about calling?Feeling nervous is completely normal. Many people feel this way before their first contact with a counsellor. Remember, this consultation is designed to put you at ease. Melissa understands these feelings and will create a comfortable space for conversation.

Do I need to prepare anything specific?Not for the initial consultation. Just bring yourself and any questions you might have. For your first full session, you'll want to have your identification and insurance information if you plan to use benefits.

What if I'm not sure counselling is right for me?That's exactly what the free consultation helps determine. There's no obligation to continue after this conversation. It's simply an opportunity to explore whether counselling feels like a good fit for your needs right now.

Can I choose how we meet?Absolutely. We offer in-person sessions at our Nanaimo office, online sessions, and phone sessions. You can choose what feels most comfortable and convenient for you.

What happens to my privacy?Your privacy is completely protected. Everything you share is confidential, and Melissa follows strict professional guidelines to keep your information safe and secure.

Your Next Steps

Ready to take this important step? Reach out today to schedule your free consultation. You can email us, book online, or contact our office directly. We typically respond within one business day and work to minimize wait times for appointments.

Remember, seeking support shows strength, not weakness. You deserve care, understanding, and the opportunity to feel better. We're here to walk alongside you on this journey toward healing and growth.

Step 2: Assessment & Goal Setting

Your intake session is where we truly begin to understand your unique story. This is our time together to explore what brings you to counselling and what you hope to achieve.

What to Expect During Your Assessment

We take a gentle, collaborative approach to understanding your needs. No judgment. Just genuine curiosity about your experiences and goals.

During our 50-minute intake session, we'll use several tools to get a complete picture of how you're feeling and what support would be most helpful. You might complete brief questionnaires about mood, anxiety, or stress levels. These aren't tests you can pass or fail. They're simply ways for us to understand the intensity of what you're experiencing and track your progress over time.

We may also explore your cultural background and how it influences your mental health journey. This helps ensure our work together honours your values and identity.

Preparing for Your Intake Session

Here's what to bring and how to prepare:

Our Goal-Setting Process

Goals give direction to our work together. But they're not set in stone.

We'll start by exploring what brought you here today. What would need to change for you to feel like counselling was worthwhile? Maybe you want to feel less anxious in social situations. Perhaps you're seeking tools to manage overwhelming emotions. Or you might be working through grief, trauma, or major life transitions.

Together, we'll identify specific, achievable goals that feel meaningful to you. These become our roadmap, though we can always adjust course as you grow and change through our work together.

Assessment Tools We Use

We use evidence-based questionnaires to better understand your experience:

• Mood Assessment: Brief questionnaires that help us understand symptoms of depression and track improvements over time
• Anxiety Evaluation: Tools that measure anxiety levels and identify specific triggers or patterns
• Cultural Background Review: Conversations about your cultural identity and how it impacts your mental health journey
• Strengths Inventory: Identifying your existing coping skills and resources we can build upon
• Trauma Screening: Gentle exploration of past experiences that may be affecting your current wellbeing

Common Concerns About Assessment

"Will I be diagnosed with something?"Assessment isn't about labeling you. It's about understanding your experience so we can provide the most effective support. Any formal diagnoses are discussed thoroughly with you first.

"What if I don't know how to answer the questions?"There are no wrong answers. If something isn't clear, we'll talk through it together. You can always say "I don't know" or "I'm not sure."

"Will my information be kept private?"Absolutely. Everything we discuss is confidential, with very limited exceptions related to safety that we'll explain clearly.

"What if I get emotional during the assessment?"That's completely normal and okay. We'll go at your pace and take breaks whenever you need them.

Session Details

• Duration: 50 minutes
• Format: Available in-person in Nanaimo, online, or by phone
• Follow-up: We'll schedule your next session and discuss frequency based on your needs
• Cost: Standard session rates apply; direct billing available for many extended health plans

Remember, this assessment is the beginning of our collaborative relationship. You're the expert on your own experience. I'm here to listen, understand, and work alongside you toward the changes you want to see in your life.

Step 3: Your Ongoing Therapy Journey

This is where the real work begins. Your therapy sessions become a safe haven for growth, healing, and discovery. Each session is uniquely yours.

What Your Sessions Look Like

Every session starts with connection. We check in together, creating space for whatever you're bringing today. Some days feel heavy. Others bring lightness. All are welcome here.

The heart of our time together focuses on your goals and needs. We might explore difficult emotions through gentle conversation. Sometimes we'll use creative expression like art therapy to unlock feelings that words can't reach. Other times, we'll practice mindfulness techniques to ground you in the present moment, helping you find calm in the storm.

Your sessions are flexible and responsive. If you arrive feeling overwhelmed, we adjust our approach. When you're ready to dive deeper into challenging patterns, we go there together. This is your space, your pace, your healing journey.

Therapeutic Approaches We Use Together

Between Session Support and Practice

Healing doesn't pause between our meetings. That's why we'll create meaningful homework and practices tailored specifically for you.

You might keep a gratitude journal to shift perspective during difficult days. We could assign mindfulness exercises that take just five minutes but create lasting calm. Sometimes you'll practice new communication skills through role playing scenarios, building confidence for real life situations.

Your between session work might include:

• Daily mindfulness or meditation practice to strengthen emotional regulation
• Thought record keeping to identify and challenge negative thinking patterns
• Creative expression through art, writing, or music to process emotions
• Progressive muscle relaxation techniques for managing anxiety and stress
• Self compassion exercises to build a kinder inner voice
• Grounding techniques using your five senses for moments of overwhelm

Tracking Your Progress Together

Growth isn't always linear. Some weeks feel like breakthroughs. Others feel like setbacks. We track your journey using gentle, collaborative methods that honour your experience.

Regular check ins help us understand what's working and what needs adjustment. We'll use simple mood and wellness questionnaires that capture how you're feeling about anxiety, depression, relationships, and daily functioning. These aren't tests to pass or fail. They're tools to help us see patterns and celebrate progress you might not notice yourself.

You'll also engage in self reflection exercises that help you recognize your own growth. Sometimes the biggest changes happen so gradually that we miss them without intentional observation.

Your Agency in the Process

This is your therapy. Your voice matters most.

You decide what feels right to explore each session. You choose which homework assignments resonate and which feel overwhelming. When something isn't working, we change course together. Your feedback shapes every aspect of our work.

We believe you are the expert on your own experience. Our role is to walk alongside you, offering tools, insights, and unwavering support as you navigate your unique path to healing and growth.

Ready to begin this transformative journey together?

Step 4: Progress Evaluation & Completion

This is where we celebrate your journey. Together, we evaluate the remarkable progress you've made and prepare you for continued growth beyond our sessions. This stage isn't an ending but a transformation into independent wellness.

Recognizing Your Readiness

How do we know you're ready? The signs emerge naturally through our work together.

• Emotional Resilience: You navigate life's challenges with newfound strength and flexibility
• Skill Integration: The coping strategies we've developed have become second nature in your daily life
• Relationship Growth: Your connections with others reflect the healing and self-awareness you've cultivated
• Goal Achievement: The objectives we set together have been met or significantly advanced
• Self-Advocacy: You confidently express your needs and maintain healthy boundaries

Comprehensive Progress Assessment

We use multiple approaches to measure your growth. These aren't just numbers on a page. They're meaningful reflections of your transformation.

Our assessment includes standardized questionnaires that track symptoms of anxiety and depression over time. We also use comprehensive wellness scales that evaluate your functioning in relationships, work, and daily activities. Most importantly, we rely on your own scaling of progress, where you rate your situation and growth on measures that matter most to you.

This collaborative evaluation ensures we capture the full picture of your healing journey. Your voice remains central to understanding how far you've travelled.

Creating Your Maintenance Plan

Sustainable wellness requires ongoing attention. We develop a personalized maintenance strategy that fits your lifestyle and supports continued growth.

Ongoing Support Options

Completion doesn't mean goodbye. We remain available as your wellness journey continues to unfold.

Check-in Sessions: Schedule periodic appointments to review your progress and adjust strategies as needed. These might occur monthly, quarterly, or as life circumstances change.

Booster Sessions: Brief focused sessions to reinforce specific skills or address new challenges that arise. Think of these as tune-ups for your emotional well-being.

Crisis Support: If unexpected difficulties emerge, we're here to provide immediate guidance and support. You're never alone in your journey.

Referral Network: Access to specialized services, support groups, or complementary therapies that enhance your continued growth.

Celebrating Your Achievement

Take a moment to acknowledge what you've accomplished. The courage to seek help. The commitment to show up week after week. The willingness to explore difficult emotions and experiences. The dedication to practice new skills even when they felt unfamiliar.

You've developed tools that will serve you for years to come. You've gained insights about yourself that create lasting change. Most importantly, you've proven to yourself that growth and healing are possible.

Looking Forward

Your therapeutic journey has equipped you with resilience, self-awareness, and practical skills. These become part of who you are, supporting you through future challenges and opportunities.

Remember that seeking support again in the future isn't a step backward. It's a sign of wisdom and self-care. Life brings new seasons, and sometimes we benefit from professional guidance to navigate them effectively.

Whether you're located in Nanaimo for in-person sessions or anywhere across British Columbia, Ontario, or Saskatchewan for our online services, we remain committed to your ongoing wellness. Your growth continues beyond these walls, and we're honoured to have been part of your healing journey.

You have everything you need to thrive. Trust in the strength you've discovered and the skills you've developed. Your future is bright with possibility.