Counselling Support

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We recognize that counselling can be one of the essential elements that helps one along in the growth and maturing of our faith journey.  This can be either Pastoral Counselling or further extended to a trained Professional (Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Social worker, etc.,).  

We work with a network of counsellors in the area who provide counselling services and would be able to provide counselling services for children, youth, adults, couples and families needing assistance.

 If you require assistance in this area kindly fill out the counselling inquiry form and one of our team members will get in touch with you within 48-72 hours. 

Counselling Inquiry Form

Please note that the bridge-A Markham Community Church does not offer crisis counselling or emergency services.  If you or someone you know are experiencing mental health emergency or contemplating on self-harm, please call 911 or go to your nearest Hospital.  The Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7/365 days and you can call 833-456-4566 for help.

If you require urgent emergency services, please do not complete the inquiry form but go to the nearest Hospital.  

Do you have questions?

Do I need Counselling or Not?

Questions to ask yourself before you begin your search for a Counsellor;

  • Why do I want to go for counselling, what is the reason? What do I want to see change? (i.e. Emotional health, spiritual health, mental health, relationships, etc..)
  • Was I recommended by someone to see a counsellor or do I personally feel that I need help?
  • Is there a seasonal support group at the bridge that would help me and would meet my need? Check out seasonalgroups.com
  • Will I feel comfortable attending a support group session versus a therapy-based one-on-one session?
  • What did I like or not like about my experience with a counsellor? (if you had seen a counsellor before), What was most helpful to me? (Did you feel challenged? Resourced?)
  • Am I primarily a cognitive person (left-brained) or an imaginative/emotional person (right-brained)? check out https://www.healthline.com/health/left–brain–vs–rightbrain#staying–sharp
  • How willing and comfortably do I feel to look at things in my life or I’d rather not see, and pretend aren’t real?
  • Have I been completely honest with anyone? Who? What made it comfortable for me to be honest with that person
  • Could I be completely honest with a therapist? Who do they need to be for me to be honest with them?
  • What things do I don’t want to talk about? What do I want to keep hidden?
  • When was my last physical examination?
  • How is my diet? Am I disciplined enough to eat healthily and exercise regularly?
  • Am I taking the prescriptions I am supposed to take in the way I am supposed to take them? (If you are taking any prescription drugs currently!!)
  • What are the changes/circumstances that have occurred in my life that make me want to see a counsellor?
How do I find a Counsellor who fits my needs best?
  • Consider your finances and consult with your insurance plan or EAP to find out what your options are if you have coverage. If you don’t have coverage, OHIP (Ontario health insurance plan) covered therapists are available and are listed in psychologytoday.com, if you still have questions contact us at [email protected]
  • Think about what issues you’d like to work on in therapy, and try to find counsellors that have expertise or sufficient experience in treating issues like yours.
  • Ask for recommendations from people you trust – your family doctor, seasonal group leader, ministry leader, Pastor, can be a valuable source of information here.
  • Think also about factors like location and hours of therapy. Also think about any comfort preferences you may have, such as preferring to work with a male or female counsellor, online vs in person, etc.
  • Once you have used the above steps to narrow down your list to a few good fits, call each counsellor to arrange a meeting (or to talk on the phone). Usually most of the counsellors are willing to give at least 15 minutes of their time to answer any questions you may have.
  • This is a normal procedure and your counsellor should be well accustomed to such patient evaluations – some will even offer a free of charge trial session to help you evaluate compatibility.
  • Prepare a few questions in advance to get more information about each counsellor’s skills, experience, education, outlook and philosophy of treatment (Check out “Questions to ask your counsellor” listed below). After interviewing a few candidates, you should have a good idea about which counsellor fits your needs best, and which counsellor you feel most comfortable/connected with.
  • If you still have questions feel free to email us at [email protected] , If you are comfortable with your choice get started with a positive mind.
What questions should I ask my counsellor as I interview them and also ask myself?
  • Ask, “How do you think real lasting change occurs?” This simple question will tell you how the therapist views people in the world. There is no “right answer” to the question. And, it needs to be asked. For some change occurs when thoughts and behaviours are changed. For others, change occurs through relationships, etc…
  • In my interview with them, were they active or passive? How did I feel about how they interacted with me?
  • Is this someone with whom I could feel safe? Do I feel safe with them?
  • Do you get a sense that the counsellor can handle whatever emotions you throw at them? Could they handle the full force of your fury?
  • Ask, “What things that you believe about humans are most important for me to know?
  • “How many sessions do you think we will need to meet?”
  • “What should I expect from you?”
  • “What do you expect from me?”
  • “Do you give homework? If so, what kind?”
  • Ask (and then check) “Have you ever had a complaint filed against you by a client? For what?” What is important here is not if they have had a complaint or not. Lots of amazing therapists have complaints against them, but rather, how they handle the question. Are they defensive and on guard? Do they back away from you psychically?
  • Did you feel as if you were equal to your therapist or if you were talking to an expert who had the answers?
  • How did they listen to you?
How do I find a Psychologist or Psychotherapist near me?

Other Resources

Here to Help Phone line: Call (905)503-9561

Here to help phone line is a free counselling service available to children, Youth (0-18 yrs), their parents, caregivers and adult supporters.

More information: https://www.yorkhills.ca/

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