Mental health is complicated!

Connection, meaning & play 

Our mental health is inextricably linked with our physical wellness, the meaning we find in our work and regardless of our age, our engagement in play.

But when we are in distress, or living with a lot of stress, our physical health, desire to have fun and the satisfaction we get from work can suffer.

nature, sleep & self-care

Our mental health is affected by how much time we spend outdoors, how well we sleep, move our bodies and feed ourselves, what substances we consume and how well we are able to regulate our emotions.

But when we are in distress, or living with a lot of stress, our motivation to take care of ourselves can wane and our emotions can feel out of control and reactive.

communication & connection

Our mental health is also affected by our relationships, ability to connect, and how well we are able to communicate our needs to others.

But when we are in distress, or living with a lot of stress, our relationships can suffer, and asking for our needs to be met or asking for help can feel overwhelming and highly vulnerable.

It will take courage and determination to navigate a different path, but reaching out for support is an excellent first step!

We work with your mental health and wellness goals

A goal for counselling might be wanting to feel differently, happier, less anxious or more motivated. It might be wanting to work through or recover from grief, loss or trauma.

A counselling goal can also be about wanting to improve a relationship – with a partner, co-worker, family member or child. Often people seek counselling when they have had a significant life change, like divorce or retirement, and want support as they define a new path forward for themselves.

Areas of practice

  • ADHD – child, adult, couples, parenting
  • Aging and death
  • Anger management
  • Anxiety
  • Concussion
  • Chronic illness and disability
  • Divorce and major life transitions
  • Fatigue
  • Grief and loss
  • Health and wellness
  • Depression
  • Emotional regulation
  • Parenting and co-parenting
  • Post-crash
  • Relationship issues
  • Retirement
  • Self-care
  • Trauma

Counselling modalities

A modality is a counselling practice based on a theory of how people function and what mental health and wellness is about. We believe that there are many ways to reach the same goals so we draw on the modality that best fits for both the issue at hand or goal you are working on and feels aligned with your beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT draws on the idea that our thoughts influence our feelings, which in turn drive our behaviours.

CBT has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety, managing emotions, facing fears, substance use and improving relationships.

CBT

3rd Wave CBT

3rd Wave CBT takes a more psychologically holistic approach to mental health and wellness by combining the premise of CBT (above) with mindfulness, metacognition and/or acceptance. It is generally more relationship-focused and value-based than traditional CBT.

For example:

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)

3rd Wave CBT has been shown to be effective for anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, ADHD, substance use and improving relationships.

Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotion-focused Therapy is based on the idea that the awareness and understanding of our emotional state is the first step towards greater mental health and wellness. EFT assumes that lacking this emotional awareness or avoiding uncomfortable emotions can cause harm to yourself and others. It involves learning to identify what you are feeling and having the tools to process and regulate emotions in a healthy way.

EFT has been shown to be effective for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, emotional regulation, ADHD, and couple therapy.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy is based on the belief that our mental health and wellness is based on the stories we have developed about who we are and what has happened in our lives. In Narrative therapy, folks are guided to find their voice by exploring their stories and the meaning they have given to the events in their lives.

Narrative therapy has been shown to be effective for anxiety, depression, attachment issues, ADHD, disordered eating, grief and trauma.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Not everyone wants to dig into their past, so Solution-Focused Brief Therapy uses positive psychology theory to help construct solutions. It assumes that you already have the tools and resources to move yourself forward but in your distress have lost sight of them. SFBT is a short-term, hope-based modality used to create the desired changes by drawing on your existing strengths and motivating you to initiate and sustain the desired behaviours.

SFBT has been shown to be effective for depression, anxiety, parenting, and relationship issues.

Somatic Therapy

Whereas CBT draws on the idea that mental health exists solely in the mind, somatic therapy comes from an understanding that stress, tension and trauma is held in the body. Somatic therapy for improved mental health and wellness, therefor, requires a connection between the mind and the body through movement, visualization, , grounding, meditation and breath work.

Somatic therapy has been shown to be effective for stress and anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction, and chronic pain.