Counselling Services
People seek counselling on an individual basis, with a partner or co-parent and as a family. They can be looking for short term counselling (4-8 sessions), longer term counselling (8 - 16 sessions) or ongoing service. I offer a number of different counselling options that meets a client's need and budget.
During the first face-to-face session, I help the client define their problem and identify a goal so that a course of treatment can be suggested. I select the appropriate therapeutic tools, drawing from a variety of disciplines, that will be useful in the given situation. For instance, if depression is the issue, I address unhelpful thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. This practice is known as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). When addressing family conflict, I am interested in what goes on between family members and encourage the strengthening, weakening or re-defining of certain relationships within the family unit. This is known as Family Systems Therapy. In the course of working with younger clients such as children or adolescents, I might introduce creative materials and toys such as drawing supplies, puppets or sand to promote expression, externalize the problem and thereby facilitate normal development. This is called Expressive Therapy. Other disciplines that I often draw from include mindfulness and relaxation therapies, humanistic therapies, Narrative Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. I believe that every client is unique and deserves a course of therapy that is specifically designed for their needs. To learn more about the therapeutic techniques that I use, see Links.
Once treatment options have been discussed, it is up to you to determine if the suggested course of action meets your needs. I believe that ultimately it is the client's choice to participate in any type of therapy. If it becomes clear during the course of therapy that I am unable to assist you in attaining your goal, I will refer you to the appropriate resource.