Adrienne Benson M.Ed., RP
Psychotherapy Services
Adrienne offers a limited number of in-person sessions out of her home in Manotick. She also offers online video counselling for clients that live outside of the Ottawa region and those within Ottawa that prefer the convenience of video-counselling. Whenever possible, arrangements are made to ensure that some therapy meetings/assessments takes place in-person.
Adrienne only takes on clients that are seeking to address concerns/issues that fall within her areas of expertise and competence. As such, you will be sent an initial questionnaire that will be reviewed, free of cost, prior to beginning therapy. A more in-depth assessment will be conducted as part of your first session, after which time, treatment options will be reviewed.
Adrienne limits her session and client numbers in order to ensure quality of service; a waiting list is available when no spots are immediately available.
*Please note that at this time, Adrienne is only seeing adult clients (ages 17 and up).
Psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP. As a Registered Psychotherapist, Adrienne’s services are often fully or partially reimbursed for clients with third-party insurance policies.
The Clarity to Thrive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of a counselor as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions.
You may face some emotional challenges in counselling. Approaching feelings or thoughts you have been trying to avoid may be painful, while changing your beliefs or behaviours can be scary and may sometimes disrupt existing relationships. Progress may not occur as quickly as you expect. You may experience a sense of moving two steps back to take one step forward, and you may feel worse before you feel better. Carefully consider whether these risks are worth the benefits. If you choose not to undertake these risks upon entering counselling, I can explore alternative treatments with you or refer you to other professionals who may be better able to help you.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behaviour patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance