My Ideal Client Profile
The picture in the upper left hand corner is of my therapy dog Molly (and no.....dogs are not my ideal clients). That being said, I did choose this picture of Molly playing tug of war, because it shows the tenacity and commitment required to find peace and liberation through counselling.
Therapy can be a very powerful and effective way to find meaning, depth, and purpose in living, while also finding ways to heal from all forms of trauma from relational trauma, racist trauma and sexual violence to pain and chronic illness and everything in between. Since the therapy relationship is of utmost importance it is important to find a therapist that you "click" with. Someone you can trust with intimate information about your outer and inner world. A therapist that is open to co-create a treatment plan with you using approaches that resonate for you rather than you having to retrofit yourself (cutting parts of yourself off) to fit in with how your therapist wants to work.
Because the client/therapist relationship is so important and since we may be spending considerable time together, below are some of the qualities I believe make up my "ideal client". I made one list for individual counselling and another for relationship counselling. I would like to suggest that you make a list of qualities for your "ideal therapist" and compare your list to mine to see if we would be compatible, at least on paper. If you think we would be a good match and you have also read my fees and cancellation policy - please contact me to schedule an appointment.
My Ideal Client is someone that:
My Ideal Relationship clients are people who embody the characteristics above and who are willing to:
Therapy can be a very powerful and effective way to find meaning, depth, and purpose in living, while also finding ways to heal from all forms of trauma from relational trauma, racist trauma and sexual violence to pain and chronic illness and everything in between. Since the therapy relationship is of utmost importance it is important to find a therapist that you "click" with. Someone you can trust with intimate information about your outer and inner world. A therapist that is open to co-create a treatment plan with you using approaches that resonate for you rather than you having to retrofit yourself (cutting parts of yourself off) to fit in with how your therapist wants to work.
Because the client/therapist relationship is so important and since we may be spending considerable time together, below are some of the qualities I believe make up my "ideal client". I made one list for individual counselling and another for relationship counselling. I would like to suggest that you make a list of qualities for your "ideal therapist" and compare your list to mine to see if we would be compatible, at least on paper. If you think we would be a good match and you have also read my fees and cancellation policy - please contact me to schedule an appointment.
My Ideal Client is someone that:
- Asks lots of questions to see if we are a good fit for each other.
- Is willing over time to share all the "parts" of you (including thoughts of suicide, hurts...).
- Is willing to take risks to let me know when something I am doing is not working for you.
- Has an open mind and is willing to stretch, take risks, and try new things.
- Arrives to appointments with an agenda and takes notes regarding: homework.
- Can co-create a good working relationship and treatment plan.
- Is open to the possibility of making lasting change and sharing fears around the possibility of making lasting changes.
- Is open to giving (and/or learning to give) and receive feedback about our relationship and the counselling process.
- Is willing to to work with me to adapt the material covered in counselling in a way that is right for you.
- Appreciates the process of personal growth and post-traumatic growth.
- Values physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
- Understands the importance of regular appointments and provides at least 48-hours notice to cancel or re-schedule an appointment and 72 hours notice for appointments scheduled on Mondays.
- Has read and agrees to abide by my fees and cancellation policy: Fees/Cancellation/Subsidies (giseleharrison.com)
- Will engage in a self-care practice that may include all or part of the tools outlined on the "Calming, Soothing, Coping" page on this website.
- Commits to weekly/bi-weekly sessions for a minimum of 6-9 months.
- Understands the 90/10 law, whereby 10% of the healing work can be achieved during counselling sessions, while the remaining 90% is more likely to be achieved by you in between appointments (ie slowly and steadily incorporating calming skills found on this website.
My Ideal Relationship clients are people who embody the characteristics above and who are willing to:
- Abide by the fees and cancellation policy on this website: Fees/Cancellation/Subsidies (giseleharrison.com).
- Understands the 90/10 LAW, whereby 10% of the healing work is achieved during counselling sessions, while the remaining 90% is achieved by you in between appointments.
- Attending sessions to improve your own relationship skills rather than assigning blame.
- Agrees to develop calming skills to avoid being activated by their partner during sessions.
- Values giving and receiving direct and honest feedback to me and from me.
- Discuss sex, finances, religion, values, beliefs, past trauma.
- Identify and give up losing relationship strategies that include: being right; controlling your partner; unbridled self-expression; retaliation; and withdrawing
- Consciously replace losing strategies with winning strategies that include: asking for what you want; complaining constructively; listening and responding generously; empowering one another; and cherishing what you have.
- Take a serious look at their self-esteem and whether their esteem "on a bad day" is more shame based or more based in grandiosity.
- Take a serious look at their boundaries to determine if "on a bad day" they become boundaryless or more walled-off.
- Learn new skills to improve relational self-esteem and boundaries that contribute to a happier relationship.
- Commit to weekly or bi-weekly sessions for a minimum of 6-9 months.
