Stephanie completed her Master of Arts degree at UVic in 2018 and did her internship at South Island Counselling. She utilizes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) in response to the needs of her clients. She also has additional training in addictions, couples therapy, and Bowen Family Systems.
Why did you choose to work at South Island Counselling?
I learned about South Island Counselling when I needed counselling to cope with grieving the loss of my daughter. My counsellor was caring and patient. She listened to me and helped me wade through the intense and confusing feelings that I was having. Years later when I was completing my master’s degree, the time came to think about where I could do my counselling internship. I remembered my positive experience at South Island Counselling and knew that this was where I wanted to learn and grow as a counsellor. I really appreciate that South Island has Christian roots. To me, that gives it a heart! There is a culture of acceptance, kindness, and collaboration that permeates the community. Today, I continue to enjoy working at South Island, now as a registered clinical counsellor.
What client issues do you typically work with?
I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, addictions, relationship issues, and family challenges. In the last year, there have been more couples seeking counselling to strengthen their relationships. Seeing this need, I decided that I needed to get some comprehensive training in this area. I have just completed a year-long course in the developmental model of couples’ therapy, a program that has prepared me to work effectively with couples.
What patterns are you noticing clients are struggling with these days?
The lack of social interaction during the pandemic, has resulted in isolation and loneliness, resulting in greater anxiety, deeper depression, and a loss of self-confidence. I have also observed that many clients hold themselves to higher standards than they do their friends and family members, and that they can fall into patterns of overwork and self-criticism. They are hard on themselves, and many of them find that self-compassion is uncharted territory.
What makes this work satisfying for you?
I find this work rewarding as it gives me the opportunity to develop therapeutic relationships with clients and to work collaboratively with them to bring about change in their lives. I am continually inspired by examples of human resilience and courage when facing life challenges. This work requires that I am always learning and growing professionally and personally. I will never reach a point where I feel that I have learned all that I can.
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