Client Resources

Individual and some couples sessions are typically 50 minutes. Most Couple and Individual trauma sessions are recommended at 90 minutes. This allows sufficient time to explore concerns, develop insights, and work toward meaningful change.

The number of sessions varies depending on the concern and your goals.

Some clients come for short-term focused work, while others benefit from a longer process of deeper emotional healing and relationship repair.

Therapy is collaborative, and we will periodically review your goals and progress together.

Mzima Counselling works primarily with adults navigating:

• Relationship distress and communication challenges
• Infidelity and betrayal trauma
• Relational and developmental trauma
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions and identity shifts
• Stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm

The focus of the practice is helping individuals and couples restore emotional safety, strengthen relationships, and rebuild after difficult life experiences.

Yes. Counselling is confidential and your privacy is taken seriously.

There are a few legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, including situations involving:

• Risk of harm to yourself or others
• Concerns about the safety of a child
• Court orders requiring release of records

These limits are discussed during the informed consent process before therapy begins.

Yes. A 15-minute consultation is available to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether the services offered are a good fit for your needs.

The first session focuses on understanding your situation and what you hope to gain from therapy.

We may explore:

• Your current concerns
• Relevant personal or relationship history
• Patterns contributing to challenges
• Your goals for therapy

This helps guide the direction of the work moving forward.

Sometimes.

Reflection exercises, journaling prompts, communication practices, or skill-building exercises may be suggested when helpful.

These activities support integration of insights between sessions, where much of the change process happens.

Coverage depends on your insurance provider.

Clients are responsible for confirming their own insurance coverage. Receipts are provided for reimbursement where applicable.

Feeling uncertain about starting therapy is very common.

Many people come to counselling during periods of vulnerability, confusion, or emotional pain.

The goal of therapy is to create a safe and respectful environment where you can explore your experiences and move toward greater clarity, healing, and growth.

Therapy tends to be most effective when individuals are willing to:

• Reflect honestly about their experiences
• Remain open to learning new ways of responding
• Engage actively in the change process

It is not about being “broken,” but about developing greater awareness, resilience, and healthier patterns.

Mzima Counselling does not provide crisis services.

If you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please contact:

Distress Centre Calgary
403-266-HELP (4357)

Or go to the nearest emergency department.

While every relationship is different, many couples are able to rebuild trust and create healthier patterns when both partners are committed to the repair process.

Therapy provides structure and guidance during this process.

Mzima Counselling works with individual adults and couples who are ready to engage in depth-oriented, trauma-informed, relational work.

This practice is especially well-suited for:

• Adults navigating grief, loss, burnout, trauma, or major life transitions

• Couples seeking to improve emotional safety, communication, and attachment

• Individuals and couples who are reflective, motivated, and open to meaningful inner work

• Those who value consistency, boundaries, and a collaborative therapeutic process

Clients who thrive here are not looking for quick fixes. They are ready to slow down, understand patterns, and do the work required for lasting change.

Mzima Counselling may not be the right fit if:

• You are seeking crisis-only, emergency, or last-resort intervention
  
• You are looking primarily for advice, reassurance, or someone to “fix” your partner
  
• One partner is attending unwillingly or only to appease the other
  
• You are not open to emotional depth, accountability, or self-reflection
  
• You are unable to commit to regular sessions and agreed-upon boundaries
  

When this practice is not the right fit, appropriate referrals will be offered.