"The stronger the therapist-client relationship, the greater the potential for therapeutic change".
Whether you are a teen, adult, couple or family my goal is to develop a positive working relationship with you that is based on mutual respect, compassion and acceptance.
Individual (ages 11+) and Family Therapy
At Vitality Counselling Services I offer a wide range of individual, couples and family counselling services.
I work compassionately and effectively in the following areas:
Couples that are looking for ways to resolve conflict and foster a sense of connection in their relationship are likely to find couples counselling useful. At Vitality Counselling Services I support couples by helping them identify negative patterns in their communication and/or conflict styles, and work towards changing these patterns so that each partner feels supported and heard by the other.
Parent Adolescent Mediation is a co-operative problem solving process, which provides a neutral environment for parents and teens (ages 11-18) to resolve conflict. Mediation can provide relief to parents and teens at odds over important teenage problems. Using mediation to talk to your teen can help you overcome tension, arguing and disrespect on hot topics such as; house rules/expectations, technology use, school problems, curfews, behaviour, etc.
Unlike counselling, mediation is not a feelings or past based process, but rather is focused on the future. The goal of mediation is to develop new styles of communication, create healthy boundaries and to learn how to make decisions by mutual agreement which focuses on steps to move forward.
Anxiety-based school avoidance or refusal, impacts many children/youth. Early intervention is key to ensuring anxiety-based school refusal doesn't have significant short and long-term effects on you child/youth's social, emotional, and educational development.
At Vitality Counselling Services l work with your child/youth to help them understand anxiety (psycho-education) and I teach them ways of coping with the discomfort anxiety can create. I will also provide the caregivers anxiety psycho-education support so they have a better understanding and can feel more confident to support their child/youth. Together, we will partner with the school professionals, when possible, to develop a treatment plan to help get your child/youth back to school as quickly as possible.
Separation and/or divorce is a difficult time in a child's life. During this time children need everyone to work together to support them, yet the court process often creates tension and high levels of conflict.
Parenting Plan Mediation guides families through the family transition of separation or divorce and helps to shield child(ren) from any adult conflict.
A parenting plan outlines the arrangement of how parents will raise their child(ren) after a separation or divorce. It may include a parenting time schedule, decision-making and living arrangements, as well as other details such as how you will handle exchanges, extra curricular activities and/or holidays. As a parenting plan mediator I help individuals sort out these details, all while improving communication and problem solving skills, and promoting cooperative co-parenting.
My life passion is to equip people with the knowledge, skills, and tools that will help them to enjoy optimal mental health, avoid burnout, and increase their resilience. I am a dynamic, experienced, and passionate keynote speaker who engages the audience with my storytelling abilities, sense of humour and practical examples which are sure to make an impact. For more information, or to book a speaking engagement, please contact me directly.
I meet individuals where they’re at, and help them get to where they want to go.
My clients tell me that my energetic, friendly, genuine, yet direct style that often involves the use of humour, is what they value the most in me as a Counsellor/Therapist. My natural and authentic approach to building relationships allows me to quickly develop trust, which is extremely important to the therapeutic process.
I use a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach which combines a variety of interventions that are tailored to meet individual’s specific needs and counselling goals. Overall, my work is an integration of cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy. I am committed to regular and on-going training and research so I can offer the highest level of current and evidence-based therapy to individuals.
Education & Training
I have a Master of Social Work Degree from Wilfrid Laurier, and have obtained a certificate in Family Mediation through Insightful Mediation Training (accreditation pending). I have also obtained a Bachelor of Social Worker from University of Waterloo, a Social Services Worker diploma from Conestoga College and a Early Childhood Education diploma from Sheridan College.
Experience
Mighty Moe! An anxiety workbook for children
www.anxietybc.com
Canadian mental health association website. Also lists local chapters.
www.macanxiety.com
McMaster Anxiety Treatment Centre
www.anxietycanada.ca
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada
www.kidsmentalhealth.ca
Helping Your Child Cope: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/children-and-divorce.htm
Impact of Putting Kids in the Middle of Parental Conflict: https://ideas.ted.com/the-best-possible-thing-you-can-do-to-help-your-child-through-your-divorce/
Co-Parenting Tips: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/co-parenting-tips-for-divorced-parents.htm
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868 for free 24-hour confidential support.
Canadian Mental Health Association - A great website with a lot of resources and tools for parents and kids www.cmha.ca
Here 24/7 - In crisis or need immediate support, call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247)
Suicide Crisis Helpline - Call 9-8-8