Individual Counselling In Saint John, NB
Sometimes you know exactly what you want help with. Other times, you may simply know that something doesn’t feel right and you’re ready for things to be different.
Individual counselling gives you a private, supportive space to talk about what’s happening in your life, understand yourself and your experiences more deeply, and work toward meaningful change. Most of our therapists offer in-person counselling from our Saint John clinic, with an additional therapist offering in-person appointments in Woodstock, NB. We also provide online counselling, making it easier to connect with a therapist from communities throughout New Brunswick. We work with people who are experiencing concerns such as anxiety, trauma, grief, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and other challenges that can affect how you feel and function day to day.
You don’t need to know exactly what to talk about or have your goals figured out before you begin. Your therapist will take the time to get to know you, understand what brings you to counselling, and help you decide together where to start.
How Can Individual Counselling Help?
People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may be dealing with a specific concern, adjusting to a difficult experience or change, or simply feeling like you’re not quite yourself lately.
Individual counselling can provide support with:
- Anxiety, worry, or feeling overwhelmed
- Trauma and difficult past experiences
- Grief and loss
- Stress, burnout, and work-related challenges
- Relationship or family difficulties
- Life transitions and unexpected changes
- Self-esteem, confidence, and personal growth
- Difficult emotions or patterns that seem hard to change
You don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable to reach out. Counselling can also be a place to better understand yourself, strengthen coping skills, work through patterns that are getting in your way, and make changes that are important to you.
What Happens in Individual Counselling?
Counselling looks a little different for everyone. Your sessions are shaped by what brings you to therapy, what you hope to work on, and the approach that feels most helpful for you.
For some people, counselling involves talking through current challenges and finding practical ways to cope with stress, emotions, or difficult situations. For others, it may mean exploring past experiences, noticing patterns that keep showing up, or working through thoughts and feelings that have been difficult to make sense of on their own.
Your therapist may ask questions, offer a different perspective, teach strategies or coping skills, or use a specific therapeutic approach when appropriate. You and your therapist will work together to decide what to focus on and adjust that focus as your needs change.
And you don’t have to arrive at each session knowing exactly what you want to talk about. Sometimes figuring out where to begin is part of the work and your therapist can help with that too.
What Can I Expect At My First Counselling Appointment?
Your first counselling appointment is an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know each other. Your therapist will usually ask about what brought you to counselling, what has been happening in your life, and what you would like to be different.
You may also talk about relevant parts of your history, the supports you currently have, and any previous experiences with counselling. You don’t have to share everything at once. Building trust takes time, and you and your therapist can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Your therapist will also explain how they work and may begin talking with you about possible goals or next steps. Just as importantly, the first few sessions give you a chance to decide whether the therapist feels like the right therapist for you.
There is no need to prepare the “right” things to say before your appointment. Come as you are; figuring out what you need and where to begin is something you and your therapist can do together.
Find The Right Therapist
A strong connection with your therapist can make a meaningful difference in counselling. You may feel comfortable with someone right away, or it may take a little time to decide whether their style and approach feel right for you.
Different therapists bring different areas of experience, training, therapeutic approaches, and personalities to their work. That means finding the right fit is not simply about choosing the first available appointment; it is about finding someone you feel comfortable talking with and who has experience relevant to what you want support with.
At Rising Tides, our team includes therapists with a range of backgrounds and areas of focus. If you are not sure who may be the best fit, our Find a Therapist tool can help you narrow down your options and learn more about the counsellors who may be right for you.
In-Person & Online Counselling in New Brunswick
Our Saint John counselling clinic is centrally located and easily accessible from across the city, including Uptown, East Saint John, and West Saint John, North End Saint John as well as surrounding communities such as Rothesay, Quispamsis, the Kennebecasis Valley (KV), and Grand Bay-Westfield.
We also have a therapist offering in-person counselling in Woodstock, NB, and our team provides virtual counselling for clients throughout New Brunswick. Whether you prefer to meet with your therapist in person or online, we can help you explore your options and find a therapist who fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can contact Rising Tides directly to book counselling or explore which therapist may be the best fit for you. You do not need a referral from a doctor or another health-care provider to get started.
You don’t need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to benefit from counselling. People seek therapy for many reasons – for anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationship difficulties to stress, life changes, personal growth, or simply feeling that something isn’t quite right.
If you’re unsure where to start, that’s okay. A therapist can help you talk through what you’re experiencing and decide together what kind of support may be helpful.
Our counselling team works with children, youth, and adults, beginning at approximately three years of age. Because our therapists have different areas of experience and training, we’ll help you find a therapist who is appropriate for your or your child’s age and needs.
Yes. Our therapists work a variety of schedules between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with both daytime and evening appointments available. Individual therapist schedules vary, so appointment availability will depend on the therapist you choose.
Yes, whenever possible. We direct bill many insurance providers and third-party programs, including providers such as Blue Cross and Sun Life, as well as programs including Veterans Affairs Canada, Victim Services, Social Development, WorkSafeNB, and PCVRS.
Insurance coverage and direct-billing rules vary considerably between plans and providers. Your individual policy determines what services are covered and whether your provider allows us to bill them directly. If direct billing is available for your plan, we’re happy to provide it.
Ready To Get Started?
Taking the first step toward counselling can feel like a big decision, but you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Our team can help you find a therapist who fits your needs and supports what you’re hoping to work toward.
Prefer to browse our profiles? You can Meet our team.