What Counselling Is and Is Not

As a counsellor, my ears always perk up when I overhear someone say:

“Getting my hair done is almost as good as seeing a therapist.”
“A glass of wine and my best friend is all the therapy I need.”
Or my personal favourite, when someone finds out what I do and asks,
“You’re not analyzing me right now, are you?”

While I always appreciate a little humour, these moments highlight the lingering myths and misunderstandings about what counselling really is—and what it isn’t.

One silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it helped shine a much-needed light on mental health. More people are talking about it, recognizing its importance, and seeking support. And yet, despite this progress, some common misconceptions about therapy still persist.

Let’s clear a few things up.

What Counselling Is Not

It’s not my job to fix you.
First off—you’re not broken. Things might feel heavy or uncertain right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re beyond repair. My role isn’t to diagnose and fix; it’s to walk alongside you while you figure out what’s not working and how to get back to feeling more like you again.

You’re the expert on your own life. My job is to ask thoughtful questions, offer a grounded space to reflect, and help you discover new ways to move forward in your life and relationships.

It doesn’t mean you’re weak.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help when things aren’t going well. Reaching out, investing time and energy in your healing, and facing those deeper emotions—that’s not weakness. That’s strength.

It’s not necessarily forever.
You don’t have to commit to years of therapy to benefit from it. Some people come for a short time to work through something specific. Others come and go, checking in when life throws them curveballs. Therapy is meant to support you in whatever way fits your season of life. You're always welcome to return if and when something else comes up.

What Counselling Is

It’s a partnership.
Counselling is a collaborative process. When we work together, you gain a partner who’s there to help you explore your story, clarify what matters most, and co-create a plan that helps you move toward your goals. You bring your experience; I bring my training and perspective. We work together.

It’s for crisis, maintenance, and everything in between.
Yes, therapy can help during a crisis—after a breakup, loss, or traumatic event. But it’s also valuable when life is okay but not great. You might want a check-in to make sure your relationship is on track, or support making a big decision. Therapy doesn’t need to be a last resort. Sometimes it's just a wise investment in your ongoing well-being.

It’s a protected space to be fully yourself.
You hold a lot—at work, at home, in your relationships. Therapy gives you a place where you don’t have to manage anyone else’s expectations. You can be angry, overwhelmed, confused, or totally unsure about what you want next. And that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out to be here.

What It Looks Like to Start Counselling with Me

If you’re thinking about reaching out, here’s what working with me at LisaCatallo.com looks like:

• Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation.
  This is your chance to hear my voice, ask questions, and get a feel for how I work. The relationship between counsellor and client really matters, so this step helps us both feel confident before booking that first session.

• Complete an intake form.
  Before our first session, I’ll send you a questionnaire to gather some background information. This helps us use our first session more effectively and start diving into what’s important to you.

• We meet for your first session (50 minutes).
  We’ll spend some time getting to know each other and unpacking what’s been going on for you. A lot of people feel a mix of relief and vulnerability in that first session—that’s totally normal. You don’t need to prepare anything fancy. Just come as you are.

• We decide together how to move forward.
  If it feels like a good fit, we’ll talk about next steps. If it doesn’t, I’ll do my best to help you find someone who might be a better match for your needs.

Final Thoughts

Counselling is ultimately about helping you feel more connected to yourself and your life. It’s a space where you can be real, be heard, and begin to make sense of what you want and need. If that sounds like something you’re ready for, I’d be honoured to support you in that process.

Contact me today to book your free consultation. I offer trauma-informed, compassionate counselling for women in Surrey, BC and virtually across British Columbia.

You're not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.