Services

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Addiction Counselling

I want to support my clients through their recovery. I want to assist them in a non-judgmental environment to take the steps that will bring about healing in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Compulsive behaviours, drugs, gambling, sex, overeating, video games, internet, pornography, alcohol… it doesn’t matter what the addiction is; what matters is how much it hurts you and your life.

Addiction is a disease of isolation and shame and loss for all involved; I hope that you reach out and get the help that is available to you. Doing so will put yourself in a position to have the life of abundance and freedom that you deserve.

Sexually addictive behaviour is characterized by secrecy, isolation, mistrust, shame and risk. Healthy sexual behavior is characterized by trust, respect (for self and others), joy and safety. The object of recovery from sex addiction is to build a bridge in which clients can move from problematic sexual behaviour, to healthy sexuality. I strive to create an environment which is open, non-judgemental and allows my clients the safety to address these very real and very personal concerns. Through self-exploration, education and various task-oriented exercises, clients heal past wounds and develop a sexuality that works for them and their loved ones.

Partners are also impacted by another’s sexual addiction and without help their lives can become very lonely and confusing. I offer services to address these complex issues as well.

Drug and alcohol abuse can be very hard to overcome on one’s own. One difficulty is the belief that the individual can control his or her use. Once a person thinks there is an issue with their drug and alcohol use, he or she might make promises to one’s self or to others to cut back, limit or quit altogether. Often if a dependency, or a routine, or a way of life has developed around drugs and alcohol, these promises are quickly broken, leaving the individual (and those around him/her) confused, disappointed, embarrassed, and shame-filled. I provide services to help those individuals who are struggling with their substance use in a caring and supportive environment. I draw from my education, training and several years of working in a residential drug and alcohol treatment centre to assist my clients. Together we work to identify if there is a problem and if so what to do about it. The road to recovery is not an easy one to trek, but the payoff is huge for those who take up the challenge.

Partners and family members are also impacted by another’s drug or alcohol use. Life can become filled with fear, worry, suspicion and a focus on “saving” the addict/alcoholic. In some cases these partners or family members might end up doubting their intuition or questioning their sanity due to dealing with the constant turmoil of the addicted person. I offer services to address these complex issues that partners and family members face.

Clients can move forward with their life and break free from addictive and destructive patterns of behaviour such as gambling, sex, pornography, overeating, internet or video games.
Family members are affected, too. My services support Significant Others, friends, children, parents, employers to better understand the disease of addiction as well as help to support their roles and needs with the addict.
Individual counselling services are designed to facilitate the client’s process through personal and interpersonal challenges.

Mental Health Counselling

Living with a high level of anxiety can become exhausting and debilitating, even for the most capable of persons. Typically people suffering from anxiety will seek to avoid situations which lead them to feel anxious or medicate themselves (with drugs/alcohol) or self-harm to remove the feelings of anxiety. The strategy of avoidance over time leads to a reduction in the ability to cope with life and actually increases anxiety problems. The consequence of medicating with drugs or alcohol is that an addiction can develop. The consequence of self-harm is that it could progress to the point that irreparable damage is done to oneself. I offer services to help individuals learn and develop skills to better deal with their anxious feelings. Living with depression can become unbearable for many individuals. Getting out of bed and getting dressed can become a chore. Answering the phone and interacting with others can become too big of a hurdle to overcome. Other self-care behaviours such as personal hygiene, exercise and healthy eating can come to a grinding halt. I offer services to help individuals identify the triggers which can set off their feelings of depression and develop skills that they may use to move forward.

Self Esteem

How you feel about yourself, regardless of your circumstances, determines your ability to make change. I offer a variety of methods to help you raise your self-esteem by changing the way you interpret your life and taking self-affirming action. I will help you change the filter through which you see and respond to what happens to you.

Anxiety

Anxiety has biological, cognitive and behavioural impact on an individual. Basically, anxiety impacts a person’s emotions, thinking and choices. Counselling helps reduce your anxiety by developing a system that addresses all three factors described above.

Depression

Learn new techniques to move forward with your life, to increase your mindfulness and acceptance of yourself and ultimately to be gentle and kind to yourself while you learn to apply these skills to your life.

Couples Counselling

Relationships are challenging, they can be the most rewarding and the most painful part of the human experience. Whether you want to make sure you’re on the right track before you get married, or you’re at the end of your rope fighting the same fight, couples counseling can support you to address what’s essential to develop and heal your relationship.

Couples often come in for counseling at a point where they believe their relationship is beyond hope. Communication has broken down, trust has been eroded, respect has been diminished and intimacy no longer exists. Giving yourselves a chance to address this in therapy increases your chance of resolution. Some issues we may address are: communication, conflict resolution, money and finances, sex and intimacy issues, fighting and anger issues, gender roles, addiction, in-law struggles, religion, values, pregnancy, and many more.

Those couples who overcome these challenges often find that they develop a deeper commitment and intimacy than would have been possible had they not had their struggles. The work is difficult, sometimes painful and not always comfortable, but the payoff is huge!

Working With Adolescents and Youth

Relationships are challenging, they can be the most rewarding and the most painful part of the human experience. Whether you want to make sure you’re on the right track before you get married, or you’re at the end of your rope fighting the same fight, couples counseling can support you to address what’s essential to develop and heal your relationship.

Couples often come in for counseling at a point where they believe their relationship is beyond hope. Communication has broken down, trust has been eroded, respect has been diminished and intimacy no longer exists. Giving yourselves a chance to address this in therapy increases your chance of resolution. Some issues we may address are: communication, conflict resolution, money and finances, sex and intimacy issues, fighting and anger issues, gender roles, addiction, in-law struggles, religion, values, pregnancy, and many more.

Those couples who overcome these challenges often find that they develop a deeper commitment and intimacy than would have been possible had they not had their struggles. The work is difficult, sometimes painful and not always comfortable, but the payoff is huge!

Coaching

As a certified coach with the Certified Coaches Federation, I have the skills and experience to help you successfully move forward in your work, relationships and life. Coaching will help you to stay focused, motivated and accountable while you pursue change in your life.

Leadership/Executive Coaching

With an MBA in business strategy and nine years working in two Fortune 500 companies, I can help you to achieve your career or organizational goals. This could include objectives such as increasing revenue, successfully working within a team environment, working towards a promotion or completing a career transition.

Personal Goals

Whether your goals are within the areas of personal finance, relationships, health, athletic or scholastic I can help you to identify specific goals, design a comprehensive plan and move forward successfully on your journey.

The first step is yours… The rest we’ll do together.

Groups

Have You Considered Group Counselling?

Group therapy can be an excellent way to grow, mature and connect with others who are facing similar challenges. The experience of group therapy can help clients to transform the way they see themselves and how they relate to others while creating supportive and lasting bonds.

TAG Group for Men: Together+Action=Growth

The TAG support group is for men and is focused on supporting men’s learning and development. Common topics covered will include: healthy sexuality, masculinity, intimate relationships, fatherhood, financial/career pressure, honesty (or lack of it), lack of close friends, depression/anxiety, not feeling good enough or measuring up etc.

This is an action oriented group aiming to bring about real change and growth in an environment of authenticity, accountability and support.

If you are a man who is feeling alone with the stress, pressure and expectations that modern society hoists upon you to “Be a Man” or is experiencing a sense of shame, embarrassment or regret regarding how you have been coping with this pressure (raging, drugs/alcohol/withdrawing/affairs etc.), please join us in a safe and confidential setting as we explore, learn and grow together.

The TAG group meets virtually and is facilitated by Brian Janes, RP, MBA, CSAT.

A pre-group session with Brian is required before joining the group and individual work with a therapist is highly recommended.