My Role as a Therapist

I see my role as being a “guide”- gently supporting and encouraging you along the path of healing and self-discovery.

I believe:

• That to facilitate long-lasting change and to feel as good as you possibly can about yourself, all aspects of your being must be integrated into the healing process: mind, body, and spirit.
  
• That you have the answers to your problems; not me. Thus, I encourage you to re-connect with your own unique internal wisdom and inner voice.
  
• In your ability to heal, grow, change, and become the person you’ve always dreamed of being and that on our journey together, this and more is possible.

	My post university environment brought unexpected challenges. Without the focus of school I was having a hard time adapting to a slower pace of life. I was no longer able to enjoy once rewarding activities and I felt a serious lack of purpose and direction in my life even though I was in the midst of a promising career. I was depressed, anxious and developed disordered eating. With Esther's help I was able to analyze my overachieving, high-paced and stressful lifestyle and gain more balance in my life. We were able to eliminate many of the coping strategies that were developed as a result of my chaotic childhood and validate the repressed feelings. Slowly, with newly developed communication skills, I was able to open up to myself, my family and friends and get the answers to questions and feelings unanswered for years. I now feel confident addressing my feelings and those of people around me, I am no longer anxious and depressed and my eating has returned to normal. I am once again motivated and have new goals and direction. Thank you Esther!

The approaches I use in psychotherapy

Woman-Centred

My woman-centred consciousness came about through growing up female in a patriarchal society and by working with women who struggle with disordered eating, abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal), and anxiety/depression and other forms of ‘mental illness.’

I have found that gaining an understanding of the everyday realities of what it means to be “female” in our society is essential in helping you to achieve desired changes in your life.

For example, clients of mine who struggle with food and body image issues often find it very helpful to explore society’s beauty standards for women and how they have attempted to “fit” them.

Family systems therapy

Family systems is a perfect fit for the work I do because my core training is in social work which is all about working with the many systems (i.e., family, culture, community, workplace, politics, etc.) in people’s lives which affect behaviour, choices, and overall life satisfaction. I believe that you cannot understand yourself or others, nor make major positive changes in your life unless you have a clear understanding of the outside forces that constantly shape who you are and what you do.

Family Facts:

• Every one of us comes from a family; for better or worse. The experiences you had within your own family growing up shape every other relationship you have today; especially the family you create as an adult.
  
  
• Whether you are cut off from family or have contact with them every day, these relationships are a powerful force in how you conduct your everyday life.
  
  
• By exploring your family-of-origin in therapy, you can learn more about why you are the way you are in all your relationships and how you can change for the better in the important relationships you have with others in the future.

*To learn more about family systems theory click here.

To book a session or to set up a FREE 15-minute phone consultation, call me at 250.338.1800 or email me. Evening appointments available.

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Esther's office is located in Courtenay (Comox Valley), BC. She provides in-person psychotherapy services for the following communities on Vancouver Island: Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, Cumberland, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Tofino, Port Alberni, and Powell River, British Columbia. She also offers telephone and online video counselling for clients all across Canada including: Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal, Ottawa and many other towns and cities.