How Counselling Works

Choosing a counsellor is a significant step, and understanding the process can help you feel more comfortable. Here's what you can expect when working with me:

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My Credentials

I have a Masters of Counselling degree along with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Teacher's training. I am trained in Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Flash Therapy (related to EMDR), and Tension and Trauma Reducing Exercises (TRE). I also have 40 years of experience with meditation and mindfulness practices.

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Clients I Work With

I have over 20 years of experience working with people aged five to eighty-five and from all walks of life. I currently work with children as a school counsellor, but primarily see adults in my private practice.

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Session Details

• Length: Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. Sometimes, such as for some EMDR sessions, a longer (80 minute) session is required. For children, I often offer 30-minute sessions.

• Frequency:

  • Weekly sessions are generally recommended, especially at the beginning, to maintain momentum and allow for consistent progress while providing time to process between sessions.

  • Twice-weekly sessions can be beneficial for intense or acute issues requiring more immediate support for a short period.

  • As you gain confidence and integrate new tools, we can taper sessions to bi-weekly or monthly, adapting to your evolving needs.

 

Ways We Can Connect

I offer flexible options to suit your preferences and to offer geographic flexibility:

• Videoconferencing (Preferred): My most common method, offering the benefits of no travel time, geographic flexibility, and ease of scheduling.

• In-Person: Face-to-face connection can feel more personal, which sometimes helps to build connections more quickly and deeply. It is also good when addressing particularly intense issues and is generally better for children.

• Email Counselling: A gentle, non-threatening way to begin the therapeutic conversation. Please inquire if you're interested, as I’m still working on the logistics of this service.

 

Finding the Right Fit

Choosing a counsellor is a bit like finding the right pair of shoes – comfort and a good fit are essential! Counsellors have different styles and approaches, and it's crucial that you feel comfortable and connected. Your counseling time is your time, and the relationship is paramount. If you decide we're not the best fit, please know I won't take it personally. In fact, if you wish, I'd be happy to help you explore other possibilities.

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The Counselling Process

1. First Session: This is our time to get to know each other, discuss what brings you to counselling, and define your initial goals. It's also an opportunity for you to see if we are a good fit. We will begin to explore your history and the context of your current situation.

2. Second Session: We will continue to deepen our understanding of your goals and situation, and I will introduce tools and practices tailored to your specific needs. Our sessions will establish a rhythm of checking in, identifying the most pressing issues, and working with new tools to help you move forward.

3. Subsequent Sessions: We'll continue this collaborative process, typically focusing on:

• Catching up on developments since our last meeting.

• Identifying your "leading edge"—the next key step or aspect of the issue.

• Working with tools and insights to support your progress.

 

When is Counselling Complete?

While personal growth is an ongoing journey, counselling reaches a point where you feel more confident in managing challenges and can navigate life with less external support.

It's generally a good idea to "taper off" sessions gradually rather than making sudden decisions. As you feel ready, we can reduce the frequency of our meetings. It's also important to discuss ending sessions openly to resolve any strong emotions that might arise, ensuring you conclude our work feeling complete and supported.

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My Personal Commitment

My commitment to you is that I am always learning too. I am here as a guide and also as a fellow traveller. I will continue to do my own internal work in order to deepen my self-awareness and broaden my ability to be the best guide for you that I can be.

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My Background Journey (Brief mention)

I believe in meeting people where they are, and this requires a broad depth of experiences. My diverse life and work experiences, from being a teacher and school counsellor, adult educator in First Nations communities and private practice counsellor working with adults, rancher and tree planter, commercial fisherman and construction worker, have all shaped my broad perspective. My personal journey includes years of meditation practice, including a year in a monastic community in Thailand and travels in Europe, India, Asia and South America. My book, "Falling Awake," delves further into my philosophy and offers exercises for personal growth.