Over the summer we had a chance to meet with one of the Clinicians, Skye Casey, who supports the #ready2talk? clinics in Simcoe County and Muskoka.

Questions we had for Skye

Q: What are the benefits of engaging in adult counselling services?

A: Our counselling services provide a safe place to talk about what is going

   on in the life of our clients. We develop solution-focused strategies for

   what they identify as important to them, and provide information on other

   services that can support them.

Q: Are you seeing any trends over the past few months (post-COVID)?

A: A lot of people are talking about loneliness and some anxiety around

   socializing, even if they are not feeling lonely. People are also feeling

   disconnected from some of the things they used to do pre-pandemic, and

   associated higher levels of depression. For example, some have that

   depressive mindset telling them that they won’t enjoy the things they did

   before the pandemic anymore.

   There has also been a rise in people who grew up not talking about their

   emotions and who want to learn how to healthily feel and express their

   emotions. This may be has to do with the efforts being made around

   destigmatizing mental health and addictions.

Questions Skye is frequently asked by clients

Q: What can I expect?

A: Counselling sessions are typically 50-60 minutes in length. The first

   session covers the basics (e.g. do you have any questions about intake

   paperwork, confidentiality, counselling services in general?) and then

   what you would like to focus the session on. What brought you in today,

   what led you to booking a session?

Q: How many sessions can clients access a month?

A: 2 sessions per month

Follow-up Q: What if I need more than 2 sessions?

A: If you feel like you need more ongoing counselling, you and your

   clinician can discuss your suitability to be added to the waitlist for

   our short-term counselling program. Please speak with your clinician for

   more information. 

Q: Why Catholic Family Services? Why is Catholic in the name?

A: The organization is predominately funded by Catholic

   charities/organizations

Follow-up Q: Does this impact the sort of counselling I would receive?

A: No. We provide services to all populations, (we are not a faith-based

   service) but rather, inclusive of persons of all abilities, religions,

   cultures, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our clinicians also

   reflect the diversity of our community and these populations.