Counselling for Women
We specialize in Counselling for Women with a focus on Emotional and Mental Health to help women manage their feelings, relationships, boundaries and their overall sense of self (identity) with In-person, Phone, Online and Walk & Talk Therapy Sessions (individual and group).
Have you ever felt like you're not good enough or like there's something wrong with you?
Do you want to stop worrying what others think of you?
Have you lost interest in things you once enjoyed?
If you answered yes to any of these questions please know it is okay. We will help you in counselling to determine if your experience falls into what is considered a "normal range" or if it's more persistent, gets worse over time or interferes with daily activities and may be considered a "disorder." Making sense of your experiences is important and can provide some relief. It also helps us decide how to move forward together.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Table of contents
The National Institute of Mental Health
Says the following about anxiety for example, "Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships" (NIMH website).
We use the NIMH information as a guide. When our clients symptoms are in the "disorder range" we encourage them to consult with their doctor as medication may be a necessary and helpful part of improving their mental/emotional health. We are usually able to start or continue counselling while clients explore options with their doctor.
However, we do not assess, diagnose or prescribe medication for mental health conditions at Oakridge Counselling. Our role is to provide supportive counselling, teach and monitor coping skills and encourage our clients as they take steps toward better management of their mental health.
The stories we tell ourselves affect our mental health
Please take a moment to notice the story you're telling yourself about what you just read above. Notice how you feel about that story and what you do, or want to do when you feel that way. Then see if you can "turn the down the volume on that story" and soothe yourself if need be.
I would love to work with you and help you turn down the story volume. When stories make you feel bad about yourself or your situation, please don't let them become the whole story. This is not easy to do but, it's something you CAN do to start feeling better right away.
Let's use an example:
Let's say you're in a group talking when you notice a subtle reaction of a person in the group. Your brain starts trying to figure out what the reaction was about. It goes over and over it until you can't stand it anymore. You might ask the person about their reaction, but you're more likely to ask others in the group. Some will have no idea what you're talking about. And the ones you know saw the reaction, won't want you to feel bad, so may down play it. You may end up wondering if you are "too sensitive" or "too emotional" and could get stuck in a "what's wrong with me" loop on repeat.
How do the stories affect mental health
You might think and feel the things in the questions above, partly because of the level of awareness you have about what happens around you. And even more so if you are also good at reading nonverbal communication and predicting how people are feeling and what behaviour is likely to follow. I understand that it's exhausting and it feels bad but, what if you could accept that this is a predictable response for you given how you are wired? And what if you could develop a self care plan for when your predictable response happens? A plan to keep you from feeling badly about yourself? Would you be interested in trying that?
If so, I invite you to book a Free 15 min Consult Call with me to further discuss it.
Counselling for women
This experience is just like the ones women share with me in counselling where:
- I tell her that her experience does NOT mean that something is wrong with her
- I help her see her response as predictable, given the circumstances
- I help her disengage from the anxiety producing story her experience triggered.
- I assess her ability to engage in and benefit from therapy
- I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT, to help her work toward acceptance of herself as a person that is highly aware (and may recommend trauma therapy if applicable).
Does counselling help?
Yes, counselling would help. But, if you're asking would counselling change her level of awareness, or the way she is wired. No it would not do that. Counselling would help her manage her predictable responses to what comes into her awareness.
Counselling would help her "regulate her emotions" and teach her how to "interrupt her judgement of herself" as somehow flawed. In counselling she would learn ways to "manage and reduce the amount of triggering stimulation" she is exposed to. And yes, counselling would help her "accept herself as she is" and therefore improve her emotional health.
We use Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Walk & Talk Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in counselling for woman with these experiences.
Get your Free 15 min Consult Call and see for yourself how it feels
Women's Mental Health is our Business
We have been passionate about emotional health for almost 20 years.
Our founder Elizabeth Lacey started Oakridge Counselling London Ontario in 2004 after working in children's mental health and child protection for five years.
The Mission at Oakridge Counselling is to support and promote women as the expert in their own lives. We help women create, reestablish and maintain core connections. First within themselves and then with their chosen people.
In counselling sessions for women we:
- provide and model healthy connections, boundaries and supportive relationships
- in an inclusive learning space
- that encourages women to understand themselves, their feelings, behaviours and symptoms
- where coping skills are learned, practiced and modified
- we work toward living a balanced and healthy life alongside of difficult feelings and situations
- we also help women get connected with other professionals and advocate for their needs when they request our assistance
Ready to get started, or do you have questions?
Maybe you've gone to counselling before and you didn't find it helpful. Or maybe you did find therapy helpful but you ran out of benefit coverage and couldn't pay out of pocket? Or you want to try therapy but you get overwhelmed with the number of therapists available and give up before finding one?
We have answers
These are good questions and you're right. Counselling isn't always helpful.
It might seem odd for a counsellor to say that, but I do agree that it isn't always helpful. Many of the reasons are about the quality of fit between client and the counsellor. This is not something to compromise on or hope it will get better. If it doesn't feel like a good fit - it's isn't. While it's hard to meet another therapist, it's the better choice. You need to find a counsellor that you have a good fit with.
too many options
It's good that there are lots of therapists to choose from, bit it makes it hard to decide who to go to. I recommend narrowing your choices by how the counselling is paid for. If you have benefit coverage for counselling with Registered Social Workers, then narrow your choices down to the RSW's you liked. Then narrow it down further to the ones that offer a free consult call. So you can talk with the therapist first to help you decide.
Are you ready to take the next step?
You don't have to keep wondering if there is something wrong with you and feeling the awful feelings that come along with it. Let's meet and talk about it. We'll see if we can make it happen less, or not at all.
Choose a time that works and I will call you
It's normal to be nervous about starting counselling
Most of the women I work with are nervous when starting therapy. However, once they start they wish they hadn't waited so long. I hope you will join them and book your consult call.
Then, take some time to decide what the next right step is for you. You really can take just one step in this moment.
You are ready for this step. Go ahead and click the pink button, pick a time that works for you and I will call you then.
I look forward to talking with you soon.
Preparing For Your Free 15 min Call:
Please note: We are not taking any new couples counselling clients but will give you recommendations. We still do individual relationship counselling for women.
When booking your call, you will be prompted to complete an online consent form. You can do it later, as long as it's within 48 hours. We can't confirm your call until it is completed.
Once completed, you will get an email asking you to confirm your email address and a separate email welcoming you and confirming your appointment time and phone number.
Elizabeth Lacey will call you from a private number or "Oakridge Counselling". If you don't answer she will not leave a message as this would be a breech of your privacy.
More information about in-person sessions is available here.
Oakridge Counselling location for In-person Sessions
More information about online sessions is available here.
If you have any question please contact us. We will get back to you within 1-3 business days
Read More About Elizabeth Lacey MSW RSW here
Oakridge Counselling offers in-person, phone, online, Walk & Talk Therapy, Walk & Talk for Wellness Group, Supervision & Consultation and Counselling in London Ontario.
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