Once in a Blue Moon - December 2023

 On this Once in a Blue Moon post, I though I would take a look back at the last year. 2023 was the year that I started my private practice, Calder Mental Health Services, and that I started this associated blog. I am grateful for every person who has read these entries, every referral who suggested that my services would be a good fit for the person seeking counselling, and for every person who chose me as their therapist this year. Starting this practice, on a part-time basis while I continue to work full time for an employer, has been a steep learning curve. While I have a lot of clinical experience, I've never been a business owner before and so I've been learning as I go and trying to take things slow.

So, I would like to simply say thank you!

To all those who have supported me in creating this business, so that I can be of service to the people who benefit from my approach to therapy, thank you.

And to all those who have placed their trust in me, to support them along their journey to greater mental health, thank you.

And for those who are thinking about starting therapy and have come here to see if I might be the right person for you; thank you for taking the time and for giving me your consideration. The biggest predictor of your success in therapy is there being a good fit between you and your therapist; in other words, do you like your therapist and do you think your therapist likes you too? Taking the time to read a blog like this one, that will give you a sense of the therapist's personality and whether they're the kind of person you'd feel comfortable opening-up to, is one of the smartest things you can do when you're researching your options. Don't get me wrong; it's also important that the person is actually licensed as a health professional and provides an evidence based treatment, but beyond that it really comes down to picking someone you like.

I hope that you look back on 2023 and learn from reviewing your highlights and challenges. 

I hope that 2024 gives you many opportunities to celebrate and to grow. 

And if you live in Alberta, Canada, please reach out to me for a free new client consultation, if you'd like to discuss how I support my clients in reaching their goals.

I wish you a Happy New Year!

Petrina