What is Counselling?

I approach therapy and counselling as having a therapeutic conversation in order to gain fresh perspectives and insights, develop new tools, and get back in touch with your own wisdom and knowledge. I do not see myself as an expert in your life and life experiences, instead, I would like to be a co-collaborator co-conspirator on your healing journey.

I bring a deep spiritual understanding to my work, and carry the hope that things can shift and feel different for you over time. I can offer to carry meaning for you, even while you are still searching for it. 

I am registered with the BC College of Social Workers which exists to hold me accountable and also to protect you. I will issue  receipts as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) that can allow your sessions to be reimbursed by your insurance company. RSWs are tax exempt, and may be claimed with CRA as a medical expense. Please confirm your coverage with your extended health insurance policy.  I do not offer direct billing.

Main forms of counselling

The main approaches I use include:

• Narrative therapy
• Mindfulness
  
• Spirituality
  
• Art based approaches

Who can benefit from counselling?

Anyone who is wanting to have different therapeutic conversations to create and effect change in their lives can benefit from counselling. This entails a willingness to looking at patterns, behaviours and reactions and approaching them in a different way from what you are used to. I integrate the impacts of society, culture, systems and structures into your experience of the challenges you are facing. Change is not easy and does take time, also change may not always be realized in the time and manner that you are hoping.

What issues are suited to counselling?

These are some of the most common issues that clients seek counselling for:

• Anxiety
  
• Depression
  
• Trauma
  
• Grief and loss
  
• LGBTQ identities
• LGBTQ centred counselling
  
• Relationship concerns