6 things to know before consulting
It’s not just people who have serious mental health problems who consult a psychologist or counsellor. Taking care of your mental health and going to see a professional is like going to the doctor when you have a problem with your physical health. Don’t hesitate or wait for the situation to get worse.
To remember
👉 You can make an appointment for any reason, even if you think it's not "serious enough."
👉 You can ask all the questions you want, or say nothing at all: your appointment belongs to you.
👉 From the age of 14, your medical file is confidential.
You can consult can reach out to put your thoughts in order, to ask a question, to vent about a difficult situation (such as bullying, conflict with parents, heartbreak), or when you feel overwhelmed or distressed.
Good to know before consulting
✔️ Once you’re 14 years old, your medical file is confidential?
✔️ So your parents don’t have to be told if you decide to consult a health care professional, unless it’s a really serious issue affecting your health.
✔️ You can ask the person you are consulting if your conversation will be confidential.
✔️ You can tell them that you don't know where to start, that you are not comfortable, or even that you are hesitant to confide in them.
✔️ You can ask them what the different steps of a session are.
In fact, you can ask any questions you want: it's your time, for your well-being. Don't be afraid: you have the right!
To answer all your questions, we've created a series of short videos in which a therapist tells you everything you need to know about consulting: how it works, what you can do or say, how long it takes to feel better, what to do if it doesn't click, etc.
