counselling services
Kate's Approach
Kate's client-centered, integrative approach, has the flexibility to accommodate each individual's specific needs. Heavily influenced by the work of Carl Rogers, Kate admires the human spirit's proclivity for resilience and growth, and is dedicated to establishing a warm and collaborative environment that is conducive to self-discovery, healing and goal-setting. Grounded in the person-centered approach, Kate also collaborates with her clients in the thoughtful incorporation of various techniques, including:
- Reality therapy
- Gestalt therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Attachment Theory
- The Gottman Method
- Emotion-focused Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Dating and Relationships
People searching for a life partner seem to be finding the process more difficult than ever. Although online dating can serve as a helpful tool, it also presents some unique challenges. Furthermore, conflicting dating "rules" presented by social media gurus can leave people feeling confused, frustrated and demoralized. You won't encounter any rules here. Every individual, and every relationship, is unique. Instead of entertaining rules, we will collaborate in developing strategies that are tailored to your specific situation. Maybe you'd like to further clarify your values, and what you're looking for in a partner, explore strategies for communicating more effectively in your relationships, or use insight and self-compassion to disrupt patterns that may no longer be serving you. Or maybe you can feel yourself struggling, but don't know where to start. Let's identify obstacles and work towards solutions, together.
Life Transitions and Grief
Change comes in many different forms, and is often difficult. Even positive transitions into exciting new chapters of one's life, such as starting college/university, pursuing a new career, getting married, entering parenthood, or retiring, can be accompanied by feelings of dissatisfaction, confusion and frustration, as we question our sense of purpose, or develop a new sense of self. Then, of course, there are the periods of our lives in which we must come to terms with a devastating break-up, an empty nest, or the loss of a loved one. Rest assured that your internal resources are strong and diverse. Together we can access and use them to help you navigate your adjustment, which may involve addressing the tasks of grieving.
Feeling compelled to make a change in life, but not sure where to start? Let's explore this desire, clarify your vision for the future, and implement an individualized plan.
Supporting Others in the Helping Professions
Kate is also passionate about supporting caregivers and those in the helping professions. Caregiving can be such a rewarding opportunity for individuals to offer their empathic and nurturing capacities. Understandably, these roles can also be accompanied by feelings of stress and loneliness. You may find yourself wondering...who is taking care of me? Kate takes a preventative approach to caregiver burnout by providing individuals with a safe space to debrief stressful incidents, and by offering individuals a chance to explore self-care strategies, including the use of emotional boundaries.
Couples Counselling
We all come from different families, where we learned different ways of demonstrating love, approaching communication and coping with conflict. Couples counselling represents a safe space to get to know ourselves and our partner on a deeper level. It can also be used to identify and address communication barriers, and re-establish connection.
