Frequently asked questions
These are the questions I get asked most often, and a few reflection questions that may help you decide if we’re a good fit.
We might be a good fit if:
- You understand that therapy involves intentionally revisiting difficult experiences in a structured, supported way
- You’re open to self-reflection, even when it brings up uncomfortable emotions
- You’re interested in understanding and changing patterns, not just managing symptoms
- You’re willing to try new approaches between sessions, such as noticing patterns, practicing strategies, or reflecting on what we’ve discussed
- You’re ready to take an active role in your own healing
We might not be the best fit if:
- You’re looking for someone to “fix” things for you
- You’re not feeling ready to engage in the process yet (which is completely okay — timing matters)
- You need a level of support that goes beyond what I offer in private practice (e.g., crisis or more intensive care)
Please take a look at my finding the right fit page for my full response.
People often use the terms therapy and counselling interchangeably, and in many cases they mean the same thing. Sometimes counselling is used to describe shorter-term support focused on specific present-day stressors, while therapy involves exploring deeper emotional patterns and past experiences that continue to influence the present.
When I started my practice, my interest was in supporting people with their day to day challenges. Over time my passion for deeper emotional work has shifted the focus of my practice. So although my business is called room to breathe counselling, going through the process of legally changing my business name didn’t feel worthwhile and so it remains as it was in the beginning 🙂
My focus is on helping people reconnect to their true selves – the people they were before beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m too much,” “I’m not safe”, and “It’s not ok to be fully myself” quietly took over. I use a combination of EMDR therapy, mindfulness, emotion-focused, and other therapeutic approaches to help folks explore and work towards healing from challenging experiences from their past.
Sometimes experiences—especially emotionally intense or repeated ones—don’t get fully integrated at the time they happen.
Instead, they leave behind emotional learning in the form of beliefs, body responses, and protective patterns.
These patterns can continue to show up even when life is objectively safer or different.
Therapy helps update those older patterns so they no longer need to run your present-day life.
No.
Many people don’t use the word trauma to describe their experiences, even though they notice long-standing patterns like people-pleasing, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection from themselves.
What matters most is not the label of the experience, but whether it continues to affect how you see yourself and move through your life.
There’s no perfect moment to start therapy. Many people reach out when they notice certain patterns, emotions, or life experiences continuing to affect them in ways they’d like to understand or change. If you feel curious about yourself, open to exploring your experiences and emotions, and willing to engage in the process—even if you’re unsure where to begin—that’s often a good sign you may be ready to start.
It is also important to think about what’s happening in your life when thinking about starting therapy. Are things feeling chaotic right now? Maybe working with a counsellor would be a better fit for the time being and you might consider doing deeper work once things feel more stable.
EMDR doesn’t erase memories or force you to relive them. The goal is to help the brain and nervous system process experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and impact.
EMDR can be helpful if you feel like part of you is still emotionally stuck in experiences that your mind logically knows are over.
You may notice things like:
- strong emotional reactions that feel bigger than they “should”
- difficulty letting go of painful experiences
- intrusive memories or looping thoughts
- chronic self-blame or shame
- feeling emotionally disconnected, on edge, or overwhelmed
- patterns that seem to repeat no matter how much insight you have
No.
While some discussion is often helpful for understanding the context of your experiences, EMDR does not require you to describe every detail of what happened.
Many people are relieved to learn that we can process difficult experiences without repeatedly retelling or rehashing them in depth. Therapy should feel challenging at times, but not emotionally overwhelming or retraumatizing.
We work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable for your nervous system.
Many people come to therapy feeling disconnected from who they are underneath years of coping, adapting, masking, surviving, or trying to meet other people’s expectations.
Often, the goal of therapy isn’t becoming someone entirely new—it’s reconnecting with parts of yourself that became buried beneath stress, fear, shame, overwhelm, or protective patterns developed over time.
Healing often involves not only reducing distress, but also rebuilding a sense of authenticity, self-trust, emotional safety, and connection to yourself.
My current rate is $150 for 60 minute sessions and adjusted accordingly for longer sessions.
The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on your goals, the concerns you’re bringing in, the pace that feels right for you, among other factors. Some people find a handful of sessions helpful for a specific or more recent trauma. Events that took place in earlier years tend to take longer to work through. Once we are ready to start processing these events we can discuss 2- and 3-hour sessions to help make the process more efficient if that is a goal for you. EMDR processing sessions are usually at least 90 minutes.
We can check in regularly about how things are going and adjust as needed so that therapy feels supportive, purposeful, and aligned with what you’re looking for.
I am available Tuesdays through Saturdays and schedule 60-minute sessions at 9am, 10:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm. I also offer 90-minute, 2-hour, and 3-hour sessions for folks who want to see change occur within a shorter timeframe, or if attending weekly or bi-weekly sessions isn’t possible for them.
Please note that Saturday appointments are currently full. I will update this page when space becomes available.
I’m at Willow Tree, at 1459 Corydon Ave, which is at the corner of Corydon Ave and Niagara St.
I work exclusively one-on-one with people over 18.
Except in cases of illness or emergency:
Minimum notice required:
1–1.5 hour sessions: 24 hours
2-hour sessions: 48 hours
3-hour sessions: 72 hours
Late cancellations will be charged 50% of the session fee.
No-shows or appointments missed without notice will be charged 100% of the session fee.
Those who have their sessions covered by a 3rd party (such as NIHB, Medavie) will be responsible for paying any cancellation fees as these fees are not covered by the 3rd party.
If you are experiencing symptoms but feel well enough to meet, you are welcome to switch to a virtual session (video or phone), or attend in person with a mask. We have hand sanitizer available. If you are not well enough for either option, please let me know and we will reschedule without a cancellation charge.
I do not direct bill. After I receive your payment I will provide you with a receipt for you to claim our sessions through your insurance.
I strongly recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage prior to booking an appointment. Please ensure you have coverage for clinical social workers (MSW). If they ask for it, you can let them know that I’m registered with the Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW), number 2258.
Yes, but I will need some information from you before our initial meeting so that I can apply for authorization on your behalf.
Payments can be made by e-transfers (sent to genny@roomtobreathe.ca), but I also accept Visa and MasterCard.
The short answer is yes. Both online and in-person sessions can be effective, and the right choice depends on your needs and preferences. In-person sessions often provide a more grounded, contained environment and can support a deeper sense of connection, which many people find helpful in therapy. Online therapy offers added convenience and flexibility, and can be a good option when coming into the office isn’t practical.
If you have read the information above and feel you’re ready and interested in doing this challenging, but worthwhile, emotional healing work, please feel free to book a 10-minute phone consultation.
The purpose of this is to make sure that I’m able to support you with your concerns and this also gives you an opportunity to make sure you feel comfortable with me before we book a full session.
