Celebrating 10+ years in Caledonia
Celebrating 10+ years in Caledonia
Please reach us at lisa@proteacounselling.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
At Protea Counselling, we believe that experience matters. Collectively, we have over 90 years of working with people just like you. Our team combines Registered Social Workers with extensive clinical backgrounds and a highly experienced Registered Psychotherapist, offering therapy grounded in skill, perspective, and years of hands-on practice. Choosing a therapist is about more than credentials—it’s about clinical judgement developed over time. Our shared commitment to ongoing training, supervision, and ethical practice ensures care that is both evidence-based and deeply informed by experience.
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people reach out because they feel overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally disconnected, or simply want a better understanding of themselves and their relationships. If something in your life feels heavy or unresolved, therapy can be a helpful place to begin.
People seek therapy for many different reasons. At Protea Counselling, we often support clients who are navigating complex emotional experiences or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them.
We commonly work with concerns such as:
You don’t need to have a clear label or diagnosis to begin therapy. If something in your life feels heavy, confusing, or unresolved, therapy can be a meaningful place to start.
The frequency of counselling sessions with Protea Counselling will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some clients may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may attend bi-weekly or monthly. Then, once goals are met, we might have a yearly check-in or tune-up.
Some trama therapy modalities have specific protocols that require weekly or even twice weekly sessions to start. These are all discussed with your counsellor and negotiated together.
The first session (or two) is a conversation. Your therapist will ask questions to understand your concerns, your history, and what you hope for from therapy. There is no pressure to share everything at once. The goal is to begin building a safe, respectful working relationship. Together we can build a treatment plan that you feel will fit your life.
It can help to describe therapy as a space that belongs to them. Counselling is a place to talk about worries, hurts, or everyday life — at their own pace and without pressure.
At Protea Counselling, sessions are designed to feel comfortable and natural. We may include conversation, activities, creative tools, or fidget items, and teens are welcome to have a beverage during sessions if that helps them feel more at ease.
Our therapists focus first on building trust, and many teens who feel hesitant at the beginning feel more comfortable once they experience the space for themselves.
Yes — with the right support and commitment, many relationships can heal after an affair. Research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman shows that recovery is possible when both partners are willing to engage honestly in the repair process.
The Gottman approach emphasizes three essential stages of healing:
Affair recovery is not quick or easy work, but it can lead to deeper understanding, stronger boundaries, and more secure connection when handled with care. Therapy provides a structured space to process the pain, rebuild trust, and move forward intentionally — whether that means repairing the relationship or gaining clarity about next steps.
Yes. Children can benefit greatly from therapy, especially when they are struggling with emotions, behaviour, relationships, or life changes they don’t yet have the words to explain.
Therapy for children is not just about talking. It often includes age-appropriate activities, creative tools, and play-based approaches that help children express themselves in ways that feel natural and safe. Sessions are designed to be supportive, engaging, and paced to the child’s comfort.
We also believe parents are an important part of the process. Depending on the child’s age and needs, we work collaboratively with caregivers to support understanding and positive change at home and at school.
This is more common than people realize. Sometimes the issue is the fit with the counsellor, their skill level, the timing, or approach. At Protea Counselling, we focus on thoughtful, depth-oriented work and take time to understand your experience rather than offering quick, surface-level solutions. Many clients come to us after previous therapy experiences and find this approach more helpful.
A free 15-minute consultation is a brief, no-pressure conversation designed to help you decide whether Protea Counselling feels like a good fit for you.
During this time, you can:
The consultation is not a therapy session, but rather a way to help you feel informed and comfortable before committing to counselling.
We know that choosing counselling is both an emotional and financial decision. Our fees reflect the experience, education and trainings that go into the work we do.
Protea Counselling is led by an experienced Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist and Supervisor, and our team brings decades of combined experience. We intentionally keep caseloads manageable, take time to understand the whole picture, and offer therapy that is thoughtful rather than rushed.
Many clients tell us they come to Protea after trying other approaches and are looking for something more grounded, consistent, and meaningful.
Protea Counselling accepts cash, e-transfers and credit cards. We also have counsellors registered with NIHB for Status First Nations clients. In rare cases, we can direct bill to insurance companies.