When individuals and families develop healthier relationships and more effective communication patterns, it creates balance and flow which can lead to a richer, more rewarding life. After all, adversity is a fact of life…but so is resilience. When we are resilient, we have the ability to rebound from overwhelming feelings such as stress and fear without a devastating impact. Resilience is essential to our overall health and wellness.
My current specialty is helping parents work through the challenges they face with their children. As parents, we want our children to be happy, productive, and resilient so that they can go on to live responsible and independent lives. As a mother of four, I understand how difficult it is to be a parent in today’s world. There is so much controversary and contradiction over modern parenting practices.
This makes it difficult for any parent to navigate their way through. It certainly puts a lot of pressure on parents today. In addition, children today (and their parents) are also dealing with an inun-dation of technology and social media, bullying and peer pressure, anxiety and depression, learning disabilities and special needs, behavioural problems, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and other special needs.
Parents may ask themselves, how are we going to ever make it through these years? Having worked as a school counsellor for ten years as well as working with parents through an EFAP company, I have helped many families who are struggling and have decided to reach out for help.
If this sounds like you, reach out and get the support you need!
EMDR therapists approach therapy based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. The AIP model is based on the theory that the effect of early negative life experiences greatly impact an individual’s self-concept. When we have a negative life experience and do not have the resources or the ability to work through it effectively at the time, we adopt negative cognitions about ourselves, which then becomes part of the framework for how we see ourselves and live out our lives. EMDR allows an individual to reprocess those earlier memories or experiences by working with the negative cognition and then replacing it with a positive, more functional cognition to enhance self-fulfillment.
As a trauma informed therapist, I believe that EMDR is the quickest, most reliable, and effective treatment for individuals who have suffered from some type of trauma or from any negative impacting life events. Although EMDR is not the only form of therapy I use, I recommend that most individuals give it a try to get complete and lasting results. In addition to using EMDR, I also adapt my approach by integrating other useful forms of therapy which I feel may be appropriate such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Lastly, EMDR, EMDR is a very structured type of therapy which involves moving through 8 phases. It requires a significant number of hours to complete the training and is considered a specialty in the therapeutic world.
COST
$150 for individuals
$180 for couples or families
(50-minute session)
PAYMENT
E-transfer
Cash
Credit Card
EFAP
ALL AREAS OF SERVICE
Parenting
Divorce and Separation
Learning and Behavioural Issues
Family Conflict
Relational Concerns
Grief and Loss
Life Transitions
Stress Management
Work/Life Balance
Career Issues
Women’s Issues
Anxiety and Depression
Mental Health Issues
Self-Esteem
Peer Relationships
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Trauma
Disability and Health Related Concerns
Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
free 15-minute consultation
If you would like to schedule a free twenty minute consultation to see if we would work well together, please contact me. I look forward to speaking with you.
Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term therapeutic approach that focuses on the client’s present and future circumstances, rather than the past. SFBT is goal-oriented and explores the individual’s current skill level, available resources and achievements, and works toward a solution to problems, rather than where they originated. Developed by Steve de Shazer, Kim Berg and their team in the late 1970’s, SFBT works on the assumption that individuals intrinsically know what changes they need (or want) to make, and focuses on specific problems like relationship issues, family discord, anxiety, or depression.
lay Therapy allows the individual to explore elements of their life through play. It is used primarily with children between the ages of 3 and 12, but can also be effective for adults. A therapist can gain insight into the individual’s inner world this way, and can help them to express any feelings which may be suppressed. Therapeutic play offers little in the way of rules and restrictions, and helps clients explore their choices freely. Play Therapy has origins in Child Psychotherapy, Humanistic Psychology, and Attachment Theory.
Narrative Therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages clients to understand, and then rewrite their story as a more productive narrative. The stories we tell greatly impact our lives and can influence how we interpret our past, present, and future. Narrative Therapy allows individuals to bring new meaning to their lives, and also helps to detect recurring patterns. Developed in the 1980’s by Michael White and David Epston, Narrative Therapy is comprised of three main components: respect, non-blaming and the theory that the client is the expert. Applying these principles within the therapeutic process empowers the individual to regain control over aspects of their lives by separating the story from the person.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focuses on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and brings awareness to how they’re all interconnected. CBT usually works best with anxiety, depression, phobias, and addictions, but can also be used to treat a wide range of issues. Typically considered a short-term therapy, CBT was introduced by therapist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s. Behaviorists believe that much of what we do and how we act can be altered by changing our thought patterns.
Attachment Theory proposes that human beings have a primary need to form emotional bonds with others. In most cases, an individual’s first bond is formed as an infant with their primary caregiver (usually their mother). Attachment evolves over time as the relationship between caregiver and child deepens, building a sense of trust and security. If the attachment is secure, these feelings will be extended to the individual’s other relationships. The origins of Attachment Theory are based on the joint works of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth from the 1930s.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term therapy which centers around relationships, bonding, and the primary emotions involved. The goal of EFT is to improve the quality of the relationship between a couple or family members through developing trust and by creating healthier patterns. Like the term suggests, EFT considers emotions to play a key role in our lives, and even helps form our identity by understanding who we are and how we connect to others. This therapeutic approach is useful in treating anger, fear, anxiety, depression and trauma. EFT was introduced in the 1980s by Dr. Sue Johnson.
Motivational Interviewing is a practical, client-directed, short-term therapy that helps individuals prepare for a change. The goal is to help clients overcome obstacles by assessing their intrinsic motivations. MI is used to treat anxiety, depression, as well as different types of addiction. Three key components are: collaboration, evocation, and autonomy. The process begins with an exploration into the client’s needs and a discussion about any resistance they may have to the change. The counsellor draws out the client’s perceptions without imposing any of their own, then places all the decision-making responsibility onto the client while maintaining a commitment to help them move toward their goal.
Person-centered Therapy or Client-centered Therapy was developed by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s and 1950s. Rogers’ humanistic approach was less clinical than other therapies at the time, and allowed clients the opportunity to take the lead in their own therapy. With this approach, the counsellor provides guidance and support to the client, allowing each individual to discover their own course of action. It assesses the client’s internal view of the world, rather than an external one.
Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT) promotes healing by helping individuals to be more compassionate towards themselves and others. CFT was developed by Paul Gilbert in the 2000s, and integrates techniques from social psychology, developmental psychology, Buddhist psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Neuroscience. This type of therapy is particularly effective with individuals who are experiencing shame, self-criticism, and with those who suffer from mood disorders or trauma.
Family Systems Therapy (FST) is a form of family psychotherapy, developed by psychiatrist Murray Bowen in the mid-1950s. Because each member contributes to the family dynamic in significant ways, the goal of FST is to work with the family as a unit to restore the damaged relationships to healthy, functioning ones. With this approach, each member discusses how they’re being affected by the issues that are occurring, allowing everyone to hear from each other. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, as well as with families who have a member with a chronic illness or disability.
Neurofeedback (also called EEG Biofeedback) is a scientifically proven form of brainwave feedback used to correct a dysregulated brain. It may also be described as brain training or exercise for the brain.
A dysregulated brain may be the result of a trauma or injury at birth, and may result in a number of conditions including ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, sleep disorders, addictions, and emotional problems to name a few. Neurofeedback is not limited to people who have a dysregulated brain; many athletes have used it as a way to reach peak performance. It is also beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their cognitive skills (memory, organization skills, motivation), or their overall mental health.
Neurofeedback is a tool used to help people reach optimal brain functioning. It is a completely non-invasive process with no side effects (unlike traditional medication), and involves having sensors applied to the scalp to listen to brainwave activity (much like a stethoscope for the heart and lungs). The signals are then processed through a computer software program, connected to an EEG box to measure the brainwaves. The brain is then given feedback on how to adjust brainwave frequencies to match the person’s desired outcome.
To learn more about Neurofeedback, please visit these website from Ochs Labs: https://www.site.ochslabs.com/
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is considered to be a non-traditional form of therapy. Though it only came to light in the late 80’s, it is now recognized as one of the most effective forms of therapy for trauma today. With extensive and internationally evidence-based research, it is practiced by mental health practitioners world wide.
Francine Shapiro, a psychotherapist herself, discovered EMDR when walking through the woods one day. She noticed that her negative thoughts disappeared after moving her eyes quickly back and forth in a repetitive manner. She then noticed the same results with her own patients. Since then, the practice of EMDR has grown due to its positive, lasting results. EMDR may be used to treat a number of conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and grief, among others. It is considered to be a non-traditional type of therapy in that it does not require the patient to go into extensive detail about a disturbing event or situation. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation in the form of eye movements, auditory tones, or kinesthetic tapping while the patient simultaneously thinks about the disturbing incident or memory they wish to address. Within this process, changes in the maladaptive memory network connect to new, more positive or adaptive material which begins the healing process.
To learn more about EMDR, click on the link below:
Internal Family Systems or IFS is a type of psychotherapy that delves deep into a person’s internal system. It is based on the idea that each one of us is made up of multiple parts (much like a real-life family in the outside world) or sub parts that interact with each other and play out different roles and therefore adhere to different dynamics within those relationships. Sometimes these parts become overly active. protective or controlling in a person’s life (the Self) and may actually interfere with the person’s overall wellbeing. An IFS trained therapist helps the client identify these subparts, the roles they are playing and whether or not they are functional in their lives. The overarching goal of IFS is to bring all of these parts together so a genuine sense of Self can be achieved. It is a fascinating therapy that can add dimension, richness and deep awareness to a person’s life.
What is Trauma?
Most simply, trauma is a word used to describe an emotional response to a distressing event that may cause long lasting effects, which in turn, may affect an individual and how they live out their lives. From a therapist viewpoint, trauma can be categorized in the form of a Big T or small T’s. A Big T trauma may be an event or experience in a shortened time frame such as a devastating car accident or an extreme act of violence such as childhood sexual abuse. On the other hand, Small T trauma can be defined as many upsetting events over the course of time. Examples may include being bullied in school or being subjected to a parent who is critical and/or emotionally abusive. These traumas typically develop over a longer period of time and the emotional effects of these small T’s accumulate. Either way, Big or Small, trauma can be stored in the body when it doesn’t have the opportunity to fully process the events and experiences that create the trauma in the first place. EMDR is a wonderful tool to help unlock some of these difficult memories that have been stored in the body or buried beneath the surface.
Interactive Metronome (IM) is a research-based, patented training program that works to improve the timing in the brain. IM is a combination of cognitive tasks and movement with the overall goal of enhancing performance of tasks, which extends to the outside world. In particular, IM is helpful for those struggling with ADHD, Autism, Sensory and Auditory Processing, Learning Disabilities, Handwriting, Speech Fluency, Working Memory, Sports Performance, and more. It challenges thinking and movement simultaneously, providing real-time millisecond feedback to help synchronize the body’s internal clock. IM usually takes about 15 to 18 sessions to complete.
If you are seeking counselling for yourself or for a loved one, you must consider a number of factors. First and foremost, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to find the right fit when considering a therapist. Therapy is personal and requires a person to open up to his/her therapist. Trust is key, and without it, an authentic connection between client and therapist will not develop. As a result, no real work can be done. Something else to consider is how you feel when you are in the presence of your therapist. A therapist should exhibit qualities such as compassion, understanding, acceptance, and curiosity. An effective therapist should not lead the way, but rather help you find your own way. Lastly, therapy is a choice YOU make to grow and change. If you are looking for therapy in the hopes of changing someone else such as a parent, partner, or child, you need to remember that the only person that you can change is YOU!
Looking for a counsellor for your child is no easy feat. After all, you don’t want your child to turn away from counselling because of a negative experience. At that point, it may be difficult to convince your child to keep trying and to find a therapist with whom they do connect. Setting up your child for success may mean that you need to do the groundwork first. I would suggest talking to a few therapists before deciding on one. It is even a good idea to have a session with a potential therapist prior to having your child meet them. After all, you know your child better than anyone. Not only could this save you the grief of having to convince your child to stay with therapy, but in the end, it also saves time and resources. A 15-minute consult sometimes can be enough to get a good feel for how a therapist may be with your child. You can get an idea by asking questions such as what types of therapy they are well-versed in, their level of experience in working with children or adolescents, and/or whether or not they have any experience in working with your child’s specific needs.
Healthy relationships are key to a functional, well-adjusted family. Each family member has a unique role in a family and how we behave and respond to each other can be the difference between a family coming together and a family falling apart. What is important to understand is that each member is affected by another in some manner. Sometimes, only certain family members have issues, yet it affects the entirety of the family. This is when counselling for those family members is imperative. In my experience, family counselling is not as effective when all family members are present. It is better to address the issues between the specific family members who are having issues before addressing the family as a unit. We can only be as healthy and functional as the relationships we keep. The family relationship has many dynamics that can play out and it is critical to increase awareness, develop a keen understanding, and broaden perspective so that relationships can thrive.
Relationships can be very challenging at times. Life changes. People change. You may find that you are not the same people that you once were and therefore your relationship with your partner has changed. Couples counselling involves learning about yourself and your partner, as well as how each of you experience your relationship. Relationships can be improved by enhancing communication, working on trust, and addressing issues that arise within the relationship. Working with multiple people (couples and/or families) requires great care on the part of the therapist. It is important that the therapist carefully balance the needs and wants of each individual so that each party feels heard, respected, valued and supported. A couples’ therapist should be aware of how partners interact and cognizant of what takes place within the session so that any issues that arise can be addressed in a deliberate and intentional way. When working with couples, the therapist helps couples navigate their relationship by helping them establish boundaries, provide guidance, and helping them acknowledge any negative patterns that may have developed.
What can I expect from counselling services?
We all have problems, big and small.
The smaller ones may subside if we find a way to resolve them on our own, but the bigger problems are usually much more challenging and persist over time. Ignoring our problems won’t make them go away; in fact, they often worsen, and follow us wherever we go. This is when finding a counsellor is ideal.
A counsellor provides a safe environment for an individual to express their innermost thoughts and feelings without being judged, blamed, or rejected. Effective counselling should be practiced masterfully by developing a therapeutic alliance, bringing a wide variety of strategies and skills, and work collaboratively with clients to find meaningful and appropriate solutions.
It’s important to have a positive connection with the person you choose. A counsellor should use each session effectively and efficiently, providing clients with a newfound sense of optimism, resilience, and self-belief that will carry them far beyond treatment’s end. Most notably, an optimum level of growth should be evident to both the client and the therapist subsequent to termination.
Individual Counselling can:
Reduce personal stress
Enhance personal relationships
Prepare for life changes and transitions
Develop conflict resolution skills
Enhance self-esteem
Promote self-empowerment for personal growth
Help to deal with grief or loss
Improve quality of life
Help manage depression and anxiety
Allow a safe place for individuals
Family And Couples Counselling can:
Improve communication patterns
Help reduce conflict through problem solving
Help build trust
Strengthen the quality of relationships
Develop an understanding
Allow for more enjoyment and less stress
Help with time management
Identify individual priorities and desires
Promote healthier relationships
Enhance the ability to problem solve
With my clients, I practice empathy and compassion. Together, we can identify your strengths as well as explore areas in which you would like to grow.
Because each person is unique, your therapy must be specific to your personal needs and desires.
