Hello! I’m Bethany, and I’m glad you’ve found me. I’m a student counsellor completing my master’s practicum placement with Seahorse Counselling
My approach is relational, curious, caring, and playful. What does this mean? It means you are always centred as the expert of your life, and the therapeutic relationship between you and I is of the utmost importance. It means that I care about you, and I believe deeply in your strength and your capacity to heal. And I’m curious about so many things. Where do you feel alive? How can I help you move toward a life of authentic expression, of joy, pleasure, and aliveness?
I want you to know therapy doesn’t always have to be hard and painful. There is also room for the journey to be weird and wonderful, fun and spiritual, playful and profound, nurturing and transformative… sometimes all at once. I’m here to walk alongside you no matter how your journey unfolds.
I offer trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, feminist, queer-affirming, person-centred, and collaborative care. I understand that many of your problems are caused by, or exacerbated by oppressive systems of power, and I work to support you within the context of your life.
Together, we’ll figure out what’s most helpful for you. But in general, my approach is influenced by:
- Narrative therapy – The stories of our lives matter. Narrative offers an opportunity to deconstruct our stories and decide if they’re the right fit or if we want to re-write them.
- Internal family systems (IFS) – We all have different parts, and sometimes the loudest ones are overworked and overburdened. I’m here to help you tune in to what your parts need to be at ease.
- Somatic – Can you hear what your body is saying? Listening to our body’s messages can help us process and integrate emotions, memories, and trauma in a deeper way.
- Mindfulness – Learning to live consciously in the present moment through breath and other tools.
- Attachment theory – Attachment styles we form during early childhood have effects that ripple throughout our adult lives. But they don’t have to be forever. A therapeutic relationship can serve as a process for healing attachment injuries.
- Harm-reduction – I don’t pass judgment and I will never ask you for abstinence. I will, however, work to ensure you are safe, no matter what context.
I welcome anyone who is called to work with me to reach out. It’s an honour and a privilege to hold space for you on your journey.
To Book a session with Bethany click here