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.

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.  It is our hope that through counselling you will gain deeper personal insights and awareness, better ways of understanding and coping, and deeply improved relationships with yourself and your loved ones.

Family Counselling 

…can include any combination of family members depending on how your family is structured and what your goals are for counselling.

The family system is held in a safe and non-threatening environment, where 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 which interfere with harmonious family connection are addressed, and the family members learn how to better communicate and understand each other, support one another and resolve conflicts.

Couples COunselling

Accessible, Engaged, Responsive. 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.

Online Counselling 

… is a secure and confidential way for clients to seek support with their emotional health.

Using HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) regulated online platforms, our therapists regularly meet clients online, and therapeutically, online counselling is proven to be as effective as face to face counselling.

Online counselling allows clients to enjoy therapy from the comfort of their own homes, and many clients report the ease and freedom they find using this alternative, safe option. Benefits to meeting your therapist remotely include saving time usually devoted to travel, simplicity, and even perhaps ease of childcare.

In order to attend online counselling sessions, clients require access to high speed internet connections, a working microphone and a webcam. Phones, tablets and computers are all suitable devices for this modern medium. Choose a quiet, private space within your home or elsewhere so that you will not be disturbed. 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 

…is a remote counselling option, and allows for readily available therapy for people who, for example, be travelling, have a busy schedule, or are not comfortable or able to participate in online counselling.

Again, choose a quiet and private space from which to meet your therapist to avoid interruptions, and ensure you have a good connection, especially if using a cell phone. Online payments are generally preferred. Talk directly to your therapist regarding options.