At Comox Valley Counselling, our aim is to provide you with a safe and non-judgmental environment where you feel truly heard and supported as you navigate personal growth and change.

 

Our  Counselling Services

We believe counselling is a collaborative and confidential process which supports you in addressing concerns of the whole person, which can include exploring your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, somatic awareness and spiritual well-being in a safe environment, so you feel seen, heard and supported as you navigate your world. It is our aim that counselling will allow you deeper personal insights and awareness, better ways of understanding and coping, and deeply improved relationships with yourself and your loved ones.

Individual Counselling

Humans aren’t designed to ‘go it alone’. We are meant to be in connection with other humans. Individual counselling is a unique opportunity to explore and make sense of your past experiences, and move towards the life you want to create. When you’re ready for new possibilities , we’re here to support you. 

Couples Counselling

When our primary relationship is in distress, everything suffers. Couples counselling allows us to work together to make sense of past and present wounds and patterns, and create new moves and ways of connecting in a supported environment, all aimed at increased clarity, deeper connection and enduring relationships. 

The science of adult attachment reveals much about the nature of love relationships and family bonds. Attachment Science views humans as relational and social beings, wired for intimate bonding with others, and emotion as the key bonding agent that helps organize our experience with others. 

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) is the gold standard of couples therapy. With over 30 years of empirical research backing it up, the model quickly reveals itself in sessions as couples begin to intuitively connect with the principles of attachment science. Collaborative and respectful, EFCT offers a proven intervention that helps partners identify the patterns they get stuck in that leave them feeling hurt, frustrated, angry, and alone, helps repair injuries, and then make the shift towards a new pattern of engagement with each other based on core organizing factors in both self and others. 

EFCT is a short term (8 to 20 sessions) structured, humanistic, experiential approach. A significant body of research now exists on the effectiveness of EFCT with couples dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, medical illness, and challenges regarding forgiveness. It is effective across cultures and education, and with traditional and non-traditional couples.

Family Counselling

Depending on what your goals are for counselling, family counselling can include any combination of family members. The family system is held in a safe and non-threatening environment and each family member’s unique experiences and perspectives are appreciated and heard.

Through a collaborative process guided by the counsellor, the patterns of behaviour and negative cycles or roles are addressed, and the family members work to better communicate and understand each other, support one another and resolve conflicts to support a more harmonious family connection.

Online Counselling

Using the gold star for confidential platforms (HIPAA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), we regularly meet clients online. Therapeutically, it’s proven to be as effective as face to face counselling.

Online is an easy way to meet with your therapist and allows you to enjoy therapy from the comfort of your own home. Many clients report the ease and freedom they find using this alternative, safe option. The many benefits include saving time usually devoted to travel, simplicity, and even perhaps ease of childcare.

Clients require access to high speed internet connections, a working microphone and a webcam and a quiet, private space so that you will not be disturbed. Phones, tablets and computers are all suitable devices for this modern medium. Headphones are recommended, though not required.

Billing and receipts generally happen electronically with online counselling, therefore being able to navigate online payments such as e-transfers, or remote credit payments is preferable. Refer to your own therapist directly to discuss payment options.

Phone Counselling

Meeting with your therapist by phone is a remote counselling option, and makes access to therapy easy for example if you’re travelling, have a busy schedule, or are not comfortable or able to participate in online counselling or come into the office. 

Again, a quiet and private space from which to meet your therapist in order to avoid interruptions, and a good connection – especially if using a cell phone –  are recommended.

Online payments are generally preferred. Talk directly to your therapist regarding options.

Qualified Clinical Supervision 

The purpose of clinical supervision is to provide a safe and confidential environment for therapists growing in their skills to reflect on and discuss their clinical work, and their personal and professional responses to their work. Caroline Bradfield is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor and offers supervision for both students and experienced therapists who are aiming for personal excellence.

 In the clinical world, receiving supervision is considered ‘Best Practices’ and ongoing, quality clinical supervision is known to provide the best quality outcomes for both you as a clinician as well as your clients. It works to support your growth as a therapist and as a human, and encourages and supports self-reflection and self-care, as well as better client outcomes.

 As it is with counselling services, finding a ‘good fit’ with a clinical supervisor is important. If you’re looking to level up your clinical and personal excellence, Caroline would love to hear from you.