Couples Counselling
Embarking on the path of couples counseling can feel like a significant and, at times, daunting decision.
Making that initial call might seem challenging, especially if you feel the relationship is at a crisis point. However, please know that the sooner you take this step, the quicker the journey back to your best selves and an honest relationship can be.
Having traversed this journey myself, I empathize with the complexities involved. I want to assure you that I’m here to provide support and guidance tailored to your relationship’s unique situation.
What the first session will look like
In our initial couples counselling session, our focus will be on getting to know each other in a supportive and understanding environment. Please feel free to inquire about my background and counselling approach, ask any questions you may have and share any concerns.
If you’ve had counselling experiences before, I’m eager to hear what has worked well for you and what hasn’t, so I can tailor our sessions to ensure they meet your needs effectively. If you have not had counselling before we explore what will work for each of you to get the most out of the sessions.
During our first meeting, we’ll discuss confidentiality and address any necessary administrative details. Most of our time together will be devoted to creating a space where you can share at your own pace, allowing me to gain insights into how best to support both of you. Together, we’ll explore your goals and initiate the journey of building a strong and compassionate therapeutic relationship. The first couple’s session can either be an individual session each and then coming together in a session or having a session together first and then if required an individual session.
Some of the concerns couples seek counselling in Kelowna for and that I can assist and have for over 17 years experience in assisting with include but are not limited to:
When we feel we are misunderstanding others, having strained relationships, emotional distress and feeling disconnected, this can be from a lack of healthy or appropriate communication. Communication issues include misinterpretation, lack of active listening, difficulty expressing emotions, and inadequate conflict resolution skills. In counselling I can help you to foster effective communication by addressing communication issues by teaching active listening, enhancing expression, and fostering empathy. I can guide you to resolve conflicts, explore non-verbal cues, and practice mindfulness, empowering you to navigate relationships with clarity and understanding so that you can navigate relationships with clarity, confidence, and have healthier connections.
Do you often feel overwhelmed, is it hard to say no to others without feeling guilty? Do you struggle with letting people in and trusting which is pushing others away?
These can all be signs that you need to work on understanding boundaries and how they do or do not show up in your life. Many people are struggling with boundaries yet they don’t even know this is the cause of lack of self care and stress. Whether it is lack of setting or enforcing boundaries with others which is leading to anger and resentment or being too rigid or not even knowing what boundaries you need to set yet or how to do it. I can help you understand what boundaries are, how they do or don’t play a role in your life currently and how understanding and setting boundaries can lead you to feeling healthier, having less stress, better relationships and promoting self care.
Substance use disorder is a disease that takes a terrible toll on those afflicted with it, as well as their families and support systems. With effective, long-term treatment tailored to individual needs, people with alcohol and/or drug addiction can recover and lead productive lives with addictions counselling.
The ultimate goal of addiction counselling is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug use, improve a patient’s ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of substance use disorder through harm reduction strategies.
Have you, or are you planning on blending your family with your new partner’s family? Are worried about how this is or might go?
Do you need help navigating the transition or dealing with issues that have arised? I can help guide and support you through this with many years of both professional and personal experience. I can understand the complexities that can come up and believe counselling can be very effective throughout this journey.
Mental Health Diagnosis (understanding, supporting and working with) including depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder
When we feel like we are under a dark cloud and we cannot get out it can be hard to imagine that Mental Health concerns can be treated and life can get brighter through counselling. Learning new ways to cope and control negative thoughts and feelings can help make your life more manageable and help to create joy. Counselling for depression, anxiety and other mental health therapy is provided at Making Strides Counselling and Wellness
(Including but not limited to ADHD and ASD)
Are you struggling to manage or understand the way your brain works? Would you like to work on effective coping and management strategies to enhance your daily functioning and be able to identify areas of strengths? As a counsellor with many years experience I can help you navigate this journey.
