Kirsten Johansson Registered Therapeutic Counsellor

11/08/2017

"In the CIRCLE, we are all EQUAL. There is no one in front of you and there is no one behind you. No one is above you; no one is below you. The circle is sacred because it is designed to create UNITY." --Lakota Wisdom. Artwork: "Frog Prince" by Jane Ray

We had such a BEAUTIFUL healing circle during last week's workshop, "Cultivating a Kinder Voice: Making Peace with your Inner Critic".

11/03/2017

At last night's workshop, we experimented with strengthening our inner ally. I witnessed so much COURAGE as each person discovered new options for self-care and self-expression. By the end of the evening, we had created a really FUN SONG together! 😊 Through mindfulness and creative arts practices we are "Cultivating a Kinder Voice: Making Peace with the Inner Critic". This 6 week workshop will be running again in 2018. Feel free to inquire!

10/30/2017

My ongoing workshop, "Cultivating a Kinder Voice: Making Peace with Your Inner Critic" offers a MIND and BODY approach to healing. During last week's session, we explored how compassionate gestures and movements help calm our nervous systems. We've been building a tool kit for holding ourselves with more LOVING KINDNESS. I encourage you to try some of these simple approaches. They can be helpful in a moment of stress to catch your breath, re-group and get more centred.

SIMPLE PRACTICES: Some very effective and simple "Self-Holding Exercises" from Peter Levine. (AKA Inter-palmal Self-Regulation, Self-Containment Exercise, Self-Therapeutic Touch, in other practices). Illustrated by Heidi Hanson.

VERY HELPFUL TO READ full description here before beginning these.
Go slow.

http://www.new-synapse.com/aps/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/printable-2-step-self-holding.pdf

10/22/2017

Whatever happens in our lives-- there is an impact in our mind and body. Body centred (somatic) psychotherapy is one of the best ways to help people suffering from psychological traumas to cope, recover and reconnect with leading a fulfilling life. I provide "Relational Somatic Therapy" on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Family Centered Therapeutics. If you have any questions about my work, please feel free to connect! I would be delighted to answer your questions to see if this work is a good fit for you, or someone you care about.

For more information, or to book an appointment please visit: http://vanfct.com/about/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093/full

10/20/2017

What a DELIGHT to be practising self-care with the women attending my 6 week Therapeutic Workshop! Tonight we explored nurturing ourselves through imagery, collage, writing and movement. It was so impactful and beautiful to experience each person's courageous sharing. Looking forward to more next week!!

10/13/2017

Reflecting on a full evening, with an incredible group of women. We gently explored the unique flavour of our "inner critic"... What motivates our critic to put us down so harshly? And how can we HELP to hold and heal the critic, with love and kindness? I can't wait to delve deeper next week! Feeling so honoured to be walking alongside the women in this group.

Our centre piece at the therapeutic workshop:
"Cultivating a Kinder Voice: Making Peace with your Inner Critic"

10/10/2017

Last week, my dear friend Shoshana and I had the opportunity to welcome six wonderful women to this lovely workshop space! Over the next 6 weeks we will be gently exploring ways to cultivate a kinder inner voice and make peace with our inner critic. As a facilitator (and a person who contends with my own inner critic!), it is SUCH a pleasure to begin this journey together! This Thanksgiving I'm feeling grateful to have met so many beautiful souls coming together in the pursuit of discovery, healing and further education. May the seeds of hope, connection and community continue to grow in our world...

09/27/2017

This workshop begins next Thursday night. Just a couple spots left if you can make it! Expect a lovely combo of Mindfulness practises, Art, Body & Mind Awareness and lots of gentle support. Would love to see you there! http://bit.ly/2fQrveh