Requesting a new counsellor

Requesting a new counsellor

Your comfort and feeling of safety matters to us. We hope you develop a good working relationship with your counsellor. Like any relationship, misunderstanding, miscommunication or difficulties developing positive rapport may happen despite the best of intentions. If this has been your experience, please consider one of the following options:

* Inform your counsellor about your concerns. Doing so often leads to a better working relationship between you and your counsellor, who will speak to you about your concerns in a nonjudgmental way. Having this type of conversation is great practice for having the hard conversations that build healthy friendships and relationships with family, friends and significant others.

* Inform your counsellor about your concerns. The two of you may identify factors that may lead you both to decide that transferring to another counsellor makes the most sense. We all have different comfort level and rapport, and working with someone who feels like a better fit can be helpful.

* If you find the options above are not addressing your needs, you can request a meeting with the SMHS manager. There may be times when your concerns feel difficult to express. Having extra support may help.