Waiting until you feel ready can keep you waiting a long time. Most people start counselling without feeling fully prepared — they just reach a moment where not starting feels harder than starting.

You don't need a clear articulation of what's wrong. You don't need a list of goals. You don't need the right words. The first session is mostly getting to know each other — what's bringing you in, what you're hoping for, and any questions you have. Uncertainty is welcome.

What does help: a willingness to show up honestly, and a willingness to let the work unfold at its own pace. Counselling is not a linear process and the moments that matter most are rarely the ones we plan for. The readiness you're waiting for usually arrives inside the work, not before it.