New to Counselling?
Hi! I am Dr. Erinn. Nice to meet you. My roots are in Camrose AB, but I provide virtual services to meet you anywhere in AB or BC.
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Many people who consider therapy for the first time don’t feel “bad enough.” They’re functioning. Working. Parenting. Showing up. But something feels harder than it should. Heavier. More exhausting.
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This page is for people who:
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have never been in private therapy before
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aren’t sure therapy is “for them”
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want clarity on the process
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want practical help
You Don’t Need to Be in Crisis to Start Therapy
Most first‑time clients I work with don’t look distressed from the outside.
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They’re professionals. Healthcare workers. Tradespeople. Parents. Caregivers. Leaders.
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What they often say instead is:
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“I’m always on edge.”
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“I’m exhausted, but I can’t slow down.”
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“My patience is gone.”
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“I can’t shut my brain off.”
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“I’m snapping at the people I care about.”
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“I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
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Or, I feel like I want personal and/or professional growth in my life
Therapy is also preventative
Many people delay therapy because they believe:
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it’s only for crisis
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it means something is wrong with them
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they should be able to handle things on their own
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In reality, therapy is often most effective before things fall apart.
Think of it like:
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getting clarity before burnout becomes collapse
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understanding patterns before they harden
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learning tools before stress starts running your life
What therapy looks like here (especially for first‑timers)
If you’ve avoided therapy because you’re worried it will feel awkward, unstructured, or endless—this may feel different.
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My work is:
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structured and goal‑oriented
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assessment‑informed (we map what’s actually happening)
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practical, not just emotional processing
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focused on understanding patterns, gaining insight, and personal and/or professional growth to meet you goals
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You don’t have to commit to counselling to start
If the idea of jumping straight into ongoing counselling feels like too much, there’s another option.
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Virtual Mental Health Walk‑In Consultation
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This is a one‑time, low‑pressure consultation, designed for people who:
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have questions about their mental health
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want professional input without starting therapy
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want to understand what’s going on before deciding next steps
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In a single session, we can:
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clarify what might be driving what you’re experiencing
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discuss whether therapy would be helpful (and what kind)
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identify practical next steps
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answer questions you’ve never had space to ask
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There is no obligation to continue into therapy. Perhaps this may feel more comfortable as a way to start.
Common questions first‑timers ask
“What if I don’t know what to say?”
That’s normal. You don’t need to come prepared—we figure things out together.
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“What if my problems aren’t serious enough?”
You don’t need to justify needing support. If it’s affecting your life, or its goals you may have, so it’s worth exploring.
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“Will I be judged or labeled?”
No. The focus is understanding.
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“What if therapy doesn’t work?”
That’s exactly why clarity and fit matter. We work at YOUR pace on the items that are important to you- not the counsellor.
Who this is especially well‑suited for
Is this you?
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you are high‑functioning but worn down
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you prefer clear explanations and structure
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you want to understand why you feel the way you do
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you value expertise and practical guidance
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you have never done therapy before (or didn’t find it helpful in the past)
Ready for clarity—without pressure?
Start with a one‑time 30 min consultation ($90)
This option is ideal if you:
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want answers before making decisions
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are new to therapy and unsure where to start
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want a professional opinion without committing to ongoing counselling
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prefer clarity and structure over open‑ended conversation
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What this gives you:
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a focused, single session
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professional clarification of what may be driving your concerns
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guidance on whether therapy would help—and what type
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practical next steps you can act on immediately
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There is no obligation to book ongoing therapy.
Already feel ready for ongoing support?
If you’re confident that you want structured, ongoing counselling, you can explore available services and book your first counselling intake appointment.
Ready to book a 30 min Consult?
If you are new to therapy and prefer a low-pressure mental health consultation to start with- to get clarity prior to committing to counselling, then starting with the virtual walk-in clinic may be your comfort place to start. Many people book a consultation simply to get oriented and informed, before making decisions on how to move forward.