Radiant Life Counselling

03/05/2025

The forest is for REST. Get out and touch some bark, soak up the sounds, and reset your nervous system.

03/04/2025

Hello darling humans. I’m back at work after a few weeks off and suddenly it’s spring! It’s been great seeing clients and if you’ve are looking to book counselling, upcoming availability is posted at the link in bio. I have changed my schedule slightly so that I am in my home office on Tuesdays, which means online only (but not exclusively). 🌿🌱🌷🪻

01/20/2025

I will be away from the office on a medical leave from Jan. 30th. I am not sure exactly how long I will be out of the office for, but I will adjust my best guess and availability as I continue to learn more and feel better, but I will be out of the office for at least a few weeks, with a gradual return – likely starting with online sessions. Feel free to reach out to me or the front desk directly, sign up for my newsletter, and / or add yourself to the waitlist in Jane and be notified as soon as space comes available (links in bio).

It may mean that existing appointments need to be moved, or that I have blocked off time when I may turn out be available, so I encourage existing clients to book in advance and check back.

Please reach out with any questions of concerns.

11/25/2024

As the natural world is shutting down, the trees are going dormant to do their deep work underground, the bears are scrounging for any last nourishment they can get before their slumber, and may birds have already left, many of us humans are going the other way and turning the stimulation up to 11 with social events, fancy dress, rich food, and lots of lights.

It’s a beautiful time of year but also one that demands energy, so counselling sessions will not be available from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 1st while I rest up and reset.

Additionally, I have an upcoming surgery that will require taking a medical leave from the practice for a few weeks. Due to the vagaries of the medical system, I don’t yet know the date, although the current estimate is January (it has moved around a bit already, so I apologize for the confusion if you’ve heard otherwise).

This may mean that existing appointments need to be moved, or that I have blocked off time when I may turn out be available, so I encourage existing clients to book in advance.

During my absence, my colleagues at Local Health will be available for support and the front desk can help you book with them and/or provide updates of when I will be available.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support during this time.

Keep an eye on this space and I will update when I know more.

11/21/2024

In keeping with the guidelines outlined by BC’s Clinical Counselling regulatory board (BCACC),  counselling rates will be increasing on Jan 8th, 2025.

The new fee will be:
50min Individual Counselling (including EMDR) – $150 + tax ($157.50)
80min Individual Counselling (including EMDR) – $225 + tax ($236.25)
50min Relationship Counselling – $176 + tax ($184.80)
80min Relationship Counselling – $265 + tax ($278.25)

Sliding scale programs are available - if you are currently on a sliding scale program, please note that your services will not be affected, and if you are in need of assistance, contact me for details.

This year the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that counselling in BC can be exempt from GST if they meet the same qualifications as psychotherapists in regulated provinces, but the process to grant this exemption is prohibitive, so the BCACC is working to have registered counsellors exempted.

See the link in bio for more information, or contact me with any questions or concerns.

03/03/2024

02/26/2024

At the heart of my latest book, Fierce Self-Compassion - I break down self-compassion into two different branches: tender self-compassion and fierce self-compassion - as shown in the graphic by above! This explains the difference between the two and why both are needed for balance:⁠
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“The quintessential question of self-compassion is ‘What do I need right now?’ and more specifically ‘What do I need to help alleviate my suffering?’ The answer to this question changes depending on the circumstances. Sometimes what we need is to accept ourselves in all our human imperfection, to love ourselves as we are in the moment. But that doesn’t mean we necessarily want to stay as we are in the moment. If a herd of cattle is stampeding toward you, it’s not the time for self-acceptance, it’s time for action. ⁠
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If tender self-compassion is metaphorically like a parent soothing his crying child, fierce self-compassion is like Momma Bear who ferociously protects her cubs when threatened, or catches fish to feed them, or moves them to a new territory with better resources. Just as tenderness can be turned inward so that we nurture and care for ourselves, the fierce energy of Momma Bear can also be turned inward to stand up for ourselves.⁠
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What’s essential is that these two faces of self-compassion are balanced and integrated so that we can be whole. When both are present, it creates a caring force that can be used to transform ourselves and the world around us.”⁠
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02/25/2024

01/09/2024

It seems that bearing the discomfort is a challenge for being human in our times. How can we consciously bear the discomfort of a challenging social/political climate, environmental crisis, personal interactions, emotions such as grief, anger, rage, and also the discomfort of joy, privilege, happiness, worthiness, celebration.

Bearing the discomfort does not mean not feeling, pushing away, repressing, or disconnecting from. Paradoxically, it means the opposite. Feeling the intensity of often conflicting states, acknowledging and building the capacity to hold the complexity of it all. When we can do this, it can be easier to be gentle with ourselves and others, make conscious choices, and move through sticky feelings and times.

01/06/2024

Stepping into the new year, I am looking forward to launching the Unlocking Yourself workshop that Shawn Prestie & I created together at Local Integrative Health Clinic Local Health Integrative Clinic. We hosted an introductory workshop last fall and have expanded it into a 3 part series that will lead participants through the therapeutic approach to parts therapy work and delve into guided hypnotherapy sessions to get to know a part of themselves and then change the relationship with that part.

This workshop series is designed to be an introduction to this work as well as a guided inward journey to understand the parts of you. There may be one that is some inner conflict or turmoil, or one you have been curious about. One that has been holding you back from accomplishing your goals, or impeding your life in some way. We develop parts as a way to respond to, or protect ourselves from, friction in the world around us. As we grow up and our world and perspectives shift, we may find that the beliefs these parts hold no longer support us. When we can understand the parts of ourselves and show these parts that we are safe, or that we’d like things to change, powerful transformations can take place.

Details:
Dates: Tuesday Jan. 23, Jan, 30 and Feb. 6th 2023
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm PST
Location: Online (Zoom)
Investment: $149 + GST ($99 for students)

All are welcome in this workshop, with the exception of those who live with schizophrenia and / or experience frequent disassociation (because of the nature of risk inherent in supporting online hypnotherapy in a group setting).

Space is limited. For more information or to register click here: https://localhealthclinic.ca/hypnotherapy-and-psychotherapy-online-workshop