Discover how Quiet Waters has transformed lives

The First Day

When I arrived at Quiet Waters on the day of the appointment, I had butterflies in my stomach, but the person who answered the door was welcoming and offered me a cup of tea and a seat in the waiting area. The appointment lasted about an hour, and the Practice Manager explained a little bit about counselling and what I could expect at Quiet Waters. We talked a little bit about why I wanted counselling and what I hoped to gain from it. At the end of the meeting, we agreed that counselling could be helpful, and I was put on a waiting list to see a counsellor.

When the Practice Manager phoned me to say there was a counsellor available, I was excited but also a little nervous as it would mean talking to someone new. When I met the counsellor, however, they were warm and welcoming. My counsellor explained the counselling contract, which was mostly about confidentiality and arrangements for future appointments. There was no charge for the service, but the counsellor explained the ways I could donate if I wanted. Once I felt comfortable, I told my counsellor a little bit about myself, and the counsellor helped me explain more of my story. It was a relief to be able to talk to someone who did not judge me. Near the end of the session, we talked about how I felt about talking about my problems, and we agreed on how many sessions we would before reviewing my situation. I was surprised by how much I told the counsellor and it felt like a weight had lifted a bit. I wasn't on my own; there was someone who would listen to me and accept me for who I am.