Wingfield Counselling & Psychotherapy Services

07/09/2023

Updated Hours for WCPS!

We've opened up our calendar and are available to take on new clients! Starting July 10, booking slots will be available at:

Mondays: 12-4:30pm and 7-9pm
Tuesdays: 10-4:30pm and 7-9pm
Wednesdays: 9-4:30pm
Thursdays: 9-4:30pm
Fridays: 12-4:30pm

To book a free consultation, head over to www.wingfieldcps.com/consultation to see if we might be a good fit!

Enjoy a free, no obligation, consultation to see if we are a good fit!

04/25/2023

WCPS TURNS 2!

And we have opened up our booking calendar for new clients 🎉
To celebrate, we wanted to do a giveaway ! Read below to learn how to enter the draw (on Instagram only). We will have two winners, the first will win a $50 gift card to Coffee in Vernon. The second will win a $25 gift card to .

How to enter the Instagram draw:
👍🏻 Follow us
👍🏻 Like this post
👍🏻 Tag your friends (each separate comment with a tag worth 1 entry) (unlimited comments)
👍🏻 Comment if you are entering for the Ratio or Starbucks gift card
👍🏻 Share this post in your stories for 2 extra entries. (Screenshot and send us pic for proof if your account is private).

Check out our website for more information on how to book a free consultation and learn more about what we offer (link in bio)☺️

03/24/2023

Webinar: Understanding Grief Through Existential Analysis

I'm excited to partner with North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) and offer the following professional development webinar targeted towards healthcare professionals and the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association network!

All proceeds will go directly to NOHS and participants will be offered a digital certificate and Continuing Education Credit (1 hr).

This webinar will include: an introduction to a summarized understanding of the EA framework, which will offer an existential analytical understanding of grief, followed by practical suggestions for grief accommodation and end-of-life care.

To register, visit the Eventbrite page at: http://ow.ly/qwPC50Nrz0i

03/08/2023

"The best way to feel what's there, is to let it go."

Feel free to join me as I teach an easy exercise for practicing "being with" my feelings and "letting go" of control.

To book a consultation with us, go to: www.wingfieldcps.com

02/21/2023

Sebastian Wingfield | Wingfield CPS Team

I'm really excited to share this personal update: I am officially presenting at the 3rd World Congress of Existential Therapy this year in Athens, Greece! ✈

I'll be giving two separate presentations:
The first, entitled: Finding meaning and building a future in elite athletics: The existential turn from performance to personal fulfillment, will be focused on using principles of Existential Analysis to guide elite athletes to a more fulfilling experience in their sport.

The second, entitled: The Existential Enneagram: Integrating Existential Analysis and the Enneagram for guiding clients towards becoming oneself, will be focused on making sense of the Enneagram through an Existential Analytic lens and providing other clinicians with a practical conceptualization tool to better serve their clients.

Are you an elite athlete who wants to improve their experience in your sport? Want to learn more about the Enneagram? Feel free to book a free consultation with me here:
www.wingfieldcps.com/consultation

02/09/2023

Zoë Plant | Wingfield CPS Team

We have a bittersweet announcement! Our associate counsellor Zoë Plant is leaving the WCPS crew to pursue an amazing experience abroad. We cannot thank Zoë enough for her dedication, thoughtfulness and incredible care for her clients and our team. We are sad to part with her but thrilled for all those she will encounter and bless in her next adventure. We wish her the very best in the UK!

01/20/2023

Brandon Bate | Wingfield CPS Team

We wanted to take a second to congratulate Brandon on receiving his designation from the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association! Woohoo! Here are some words from Brandon on his approach to therapy:

"We all experience dark seasons and difficult trials, and it takes a lot of courage to reach out for help when you need it. If you choose to take that step in finding a counsellor, it is my hope that you feel welcomed, valued, accepted, and seen. As a humanistic, existential counsellor, I believe all meaningful therapy is rooted in a strong therapeutic relationship which prioritizes dignity, trust, and safety. I look at my job as to help you stay in the driver seat of your life while we both uncover the way your past experiences and relationships have affected you over time. Many of the patterns we pick up through life have helped us stay functioning, but they may not be working now as well as they used to in the past.

I trust that you are the expert of your own life, and I will work to come alongside you as we explore where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go. My hope is that we can connect authentically in a way that gives you permission to be your true self, and work through your healing journey together."

Brandon has immediate availability online Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-4pm.

Consider booking a free consultation with Brandon at: wingfieldcps.com/consultation

01/09/2023

The (WCPS) Office

Fun side note: this is our 100th post. Hooray!! 🎉

01/08/2023

Daily Mindful Practices | Zoë Plant

Mindfulness can be accessible. It’s not only achieved by going to a yoga class or doing an extensive meditation practice. It can be incorporated into your daily life with tasks you’re already doing.

Notice what happens if you can bring your awareness to how your steering wheel feels as you’re driving, how the support of your seat feels beneath you, how the heat from the vents feels on your face. See if you can focus on one task at a time instead of juggling five things at once. Notice how it feels when your attention is focused solely on cooking a meal or brushing your teeth. Mindfulness encourages us to come into our bodies, come into the present moment, and relieve ourselves from the chatter and overwhelm we tend to sit with in our minds.

See if there’s one practice (in this list or another you’re feeling inspired to try) that you might try out, and pay attention to what you notice.

01/02/2023

New Years Resolutions | Sebastian Wingfield

Happy 2023 everyone! :)

When it comes to New Years, the first thing that often comes to mind are resolutions, which can be a tenuous subject. There are many messages around encouraging you to change, be better, self-improve; and many others reacting against these (potentially toxic) messages encouraging you to not to change and to stay as you are.

But, isn't some self-development a good thing? What if it helps me get out of my feelings of distress? Is self-acceptance the same thing as self-satisfaction? What should we do?

It can all feel a bit confusing. Can anyone else relate?

Here's my hot take: self-acceptance is not the same thing as self-satisfaction. So, I want to encourage you to do something a little different (three things actually):

1) Observe the tension that arises from these contradictory impulses: the drive to self-develop and the drive to stay the same. Notice when it shows up for you, how often, and what your tendencies are in responding to it.

2) Reflect on this tension. How is it for you? Is it overwhelming? Is it barely noticeable? Where does it come from? What thoughts or feelings does it bring up for me? Shame? Excitement? How much of this tension feels like "me?" What does the tension tell me about what I actually want for myself?

3) Finally, rather than releasing tension, by going all in on either self-development or staying the same, I want to encourage you to allow the tension to stay there. To recognize that it is fundamentally human to be in dialogue with the past and future-- with self-improvement and self-satisfaction. To allow the tension to speak to me and help me form a more personal position on how to move forward.

No matter how you move forward, we are here to walk through it with you.

Book a consultation with one of our therapists today at:
www.wingfieldcps.com/consultation

01/01/2023

The Existential Enneagram | Online Webinar

I'm very excited to be hosting this workshop again...this time online with a reduced cost!

Join me online on Saturday, February 4th for the chance to learn more about your personality through the theory of the Enneagram!

You'll learn about:
-The difference between person, ego, and personality
-Enneagram theory
-An in-depth look at each of the 9 types
-and practical steps for self-development!

Register here at: www.wingfieldcps.com/workshops

10/21/2022

6 Reasons People Come For Counselling | Brandon Bate

There are many reasons people come for counselling. Some might seem obvious and others may surprise you! Here are a few noteworthy reasons to pursue counselling services.

To Gain Perspective.
Sometimes having an outside third party to weigh in on what they notice can be extremely helpful – especially when the third party is invested and attentive to your process. Even though we like to think of ourselves as rational, we will always carry our own perspectives and biases. Speaking with a counsellor can help us get closer to the clarity we seek.

To Process a Loss.
Loss comes in many forms – the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, the loss of a pet, and many others. The pain from such losses deserves attention, care, and space to grieve and heal.

To Get Help with a Tough Decision.
Though counselling isn’t about simply “giving advice”, being able to fully voice your dilemma with a counsellor can help you find what you value most amidst a tough decision. A counsellor can also ask the difficult questions that you may not be considering.

To Grow and Mature.
We all have ways in which we desire growth. If you want to grow in physical strength or stamina, you may join a gym or hire a running coach. However, if you want to grow emotionally or relationally, seeking counselling can be a great place to start.

For Support During a Crisis.
Life will often present us with challenges that we find very difficult to navigate alone, especially if those challenges shake how we understand the world. Having a relational support in the midst of a storm can be the lifeline you need to whether the storm and cope with the crisis you face.

To Know and Feel They Are Not Alone.
We are all wired for connection, especially when we can be our authentic selves. Being able to speak honest about how we feel in counselling sessions can help us realize that what we are not alone in our struggles.

10/17/2022

My Healing Journey | Zoë Plant

Hi! I’m Zoë. I’m one of the associate therapists at WCPS. I’ve written this blog post about my healing journey over the years – both through therapy, and on my own. I noticed myself feeling hesitant to share parts of this journey, feeling worried about having these vulnerable and exposing pieces of me out there for people to read. However, as I began writing, I felt a sense of excitement and passion for sharing them. They are what make me who I am, and perhaps they bring some recognition or acknowledgment to someone else’s process of healing. No two journeys are the same, but there may be parts that resonate with certain aspects of your own.

Want to read more? Read our latest blog post here:
https://www.wingfieldcps.com/post/my-healing-journey-zoe-plant

10/03/2022

✨TEAM UPDATE✨
We are so excited to share that our team grew! Arianna & Sebastian welcomed their daughter Mala into the world last month. Thank you for your patience as we have adjusted to this big change in our family. We are back in the office full-time and taking clients.

All three of our counsellors have immediate availability.

Book a consultation with one of us today: www.wingfieldcps.com/consultation

09/27/2022

Last chance to register for the Existential Enneagram workshop this Saturday!

Go to wingfieldcps.com/enneagram to get your tickets!

See you all there ;)

09/13/2022

Person, Ego, and Personality | Sebastian Wingfield

The words "person", "ego", and "personality" get tossed around a lot. But what do they actually mean?

In our upcoming Existential Enneagram Workshop, we talk about 9 Personality Archetypes, their relationship to the person and ego, and practical steps for self-development.

Interested? Register at www.wingfieldcps.com/enneagram

09/08/2022

A Case for More Connection | Brandon Bate

With so many opportunities to make contact with one another (phone, social media, etc.), we’ve been sold the idea that connection should be easier than ever before. Commercials for iPads show beaming families sitting down to “virtual” dinners, with their loved one’s smiling faces illuminated on the tablets propped up on tablecloths. Working from home has become easier than ever before in many workspaces, giving some families even more opportunities for more quality time. And ads for Facebook’s Metaverse promises a fully mobile way to live life together which amazes some of us and generally terrifies the rest of us.

And yet, many of us can still feel so isolated and alone. I don’t think I’m the only person who has experienced sitting right next to a loved one and simultaneously felt a million miles away. In fact, the research shows a trend toward earlier deaths due to su***de, drug overdose, and organ diseases in the US and Canada. Many of these cases show a theme of chronic disconnection - a loneliness that cuts deep and seldom heals when left to its own devices.

While it can be tempting to quickly cast blame on a particular generation, political movement, or mass consumerism, I’d like to invite us to go deeper for a minute and look at the problem through what counsellors refer to as an “attachment lens”.

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog post here: https://www.wingfieldcps.com/post/a-case-for-more-connection

09/05/2022

International Overdose Awareness Day | Arianna Wingfield

August 31 was International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to bring awareness about the currently public health emergency related to the toxic drug supply.

If you or someone you know has been affected by overdose and are in need of support, we have immediate availability in our practice.

Please reach out for help or to know more about resources available.

08/31/2022

How to Hold Space for Others | Sebastian Wingfield

What does it mean when people talk about "holding space?"

As a follow up to our recent blog post--When to problem solve, when to connect"-- this video provides more detail on how to connect with others who are sharing something difficult with you.

Think you could benefit from someone holding space for you? Book a consultation with one of our therapists today at: wingfieldcps.com/consultation

What does it actually mean, to "hold space" for someone else?

08/29/2022

When to problem solve, and when to connect | Sebastian Wingfield

In today's blog post, we want to explore a challenging subject for many people: how to be a supportive listener. It's easy to assume that being a supportive listener means telling the other person what they are needing to hear so that they can get out of their challenging situation. Why wouldn't we assume this? But most often, unless someone has explicitly asked you for advice and expertise, they are not looking for it. Instead, they are looking for someone to give them space; and for connection with them in that space. Paradoxically, it is this very connection that often is what is most effective for people to solve their own problems.

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog post here: http://ow.ly/6VI950KuM8O

08/25/2022

Things Therapists Want to Hear from Clients | Zoë Plant

You are the expert of your own experience. If your therapist offers a response or a reflection that doesn’t quite fit for you, it is important for the therapeutic process for you to share that with them. The space offered is meant for you to fully work through and understand your experience in the world. Offering this feedback allows you and your therapist to be on the same page.

Work and reflection between sessions is how we continue to enrich the work done in the therapy room. Sharing that you’ve been thinking about what you and your therapist discussed in a previous session is a sign that your therapeutic work is resonating, and can lead to deepening your work together in future sessions.

Therapy is also a space to celebrate you! It doesn’t have to be strictly devoted to the hard parts. Your sessions are for you. It is essential that they’re spent on what is feeling present and useful for you, not what your therapist thinks is best for you.
You know what you feel ready for and what you don’t. Therapy should be a space where your boundaries are respected. Your voice and self-attunement are valued. If something doesn’t feel right or ready, you have every right to voice so.

08/23/2022

I'm really excited to be able to share with you that we are finally putting on our first in-person workshop! Come join us here in Vernon, BC on October 1st for the chance to learn more about your personality through the theory of the Enneagram!

You'll learn about:
-how the Enneagram system works
-your personality "type"
-and practical steps for self-development!

Register here at: wingfieldcps.com/enneagram

08/19/2022

End the Stigma of Drug Use | Arianna Wingfield

Let's about substance use. People use substances for so many different reasons and there isn't a "type" of person who uses substances.

“Men account for 80% of overdose deaths in Canada which has become a leading cause of death across the country. Men in the trades are at particular risk of experiencing substance use-related harms, including overdose. Several factors contribute to these trends, including chronic pain, toxic masculinity, and stigma, which can contribute to men being less likely to speak openly about their substance use and mental health.

Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades is a film where four men with experience in the construction industry and trades, as well as their own experiences with substance use speak to their fellow tradespeople about how to stay safer in the overdose era.

The intent of this film is to raise awareness of the opioid overdose/toxic drug poisoning crisis, reduce the stigma toward people who use substances, and promote help-seeking among men in the trades and construction. Ultimately, our intention is to save lives.

Supervisors, employers, and industry leaders are invited to consider showing this video at safety meetings or providing other opportunities for it to be viewed by employees.

For more resources on substance use and overdose risks and prevention visit: http://ow.ly/WHz250Koe8z” -Tides of Change community action team has put out these incredible videos sharing person stories and vital information for men in trades. Here is one of them: http://ow.ly/30So50Koe7b

Substance use and overdose related issues continues to be prevalent and tragic in our communities. If you or someone you know needs support please reach out to us. Our counsellors at WCPS all have immediate availability for new clients.

08/14/2022

5 Tips for Finding a Good Therapist | Brandon Bate

Oftentimes people will spend more time searching for the right hair stylist than they will the right therapist. While I don’t want to undercut the importance of finding your best hair, the bond between a therapist and client is one of the most important decisions you will make if you want to pursue healing through therapy. So do it carefully, and don’t just stick with the first one without some thought. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are looking!
-Don't be afraid to give the process some time. You may need to book a consultation in order to get a feel for how a therapist works, or even a first session. It's perfectly natural to make the decision gradually over the course of a few weeks.
-Think about what you want out of therapy going into the first few meetings. Having a direction or a goal could help you communicate your needs. If you can't fully articulate a goal, even talking about the lack of clarity could be helpful to speak about in the first few sessions.
-If you want to know how the therapy works, you can ask! Enough with the secrecy! A good therapist will be more than happy to share the rationale, the research, and the detailed process behind their chosen modality.
-A good therapist will pace you. You may be tempted to dive in too quickly and overshare before trust is built, or you may talk around the issue for several sessions. A good therapist will slow you down if you are rushing and coax you forward if you are stalling.
-If things just aren't clicking, it's ok to move on to a new therapist! While it's always a good idea to give a relationship a fair opportunity to form, you should always feel free to walk away. The therapeutic relationship is by far the most important factor in getting the healing you are looking for. If you have trouble trusting your therapist, or you feel uncomfortable in their presence, it's perfectly reasonable to move on to a new one.

08/11/2022

Co-Survivors | How to support yourself when you’re supporting others | Zoë Plant

"...A big part of trauma is about having control over your body and your choices taken away. So, survivors need safe environments where they can take back control. You can be one of those environments. Sit still with your need to drive them to the hospital, call the police, beat up whoever caused them this trauma, or even hug the survivor. Emily encourages you to “sit still, notice that you care, be kind to yourself, and sit still some more.”"

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog post here: https://www.wingfieldcps.com/post/co-survivors-how-to-support-yourself-when-you-re-supporting-others-zo%C3%AB-plant

08/10/2022

Trauma Modalities | Sebastian Wingfield

Have you ever experienced a sense of "being stuck"?

Consider booking a consultation with one of our therapists today at: www.wingfieldcps.com/consultation

08/04/2022

End the Stigma of Drug Use | Arianna Wingfield

Let's about substance use. People use substances for so many different reasons and there isn't a "type" of person who uses substances.

Everyone has a story, a "why" behind their use. We encourage you to be curious and open to why someone may use.

Stigma is a huge barrier for people to access services they may need, including counselling. Reach out to us for more information about substance use services and the counselling services we offer!

08/02/2022

Various Definitions of Meaning | Existential Analysis

What is meaning? And why do we ask about it? Meaning helps shape our lives--it gives us a "why" to our "what." It gives us direction, orientation.

Often times, this question is asked when people experience the Existential Vacuum: A feeling of emptiness and meaninglessness in their lives; a sense that one is missing the deeper value of life.

In Existential Analysis, we invite individuals to experience something called, "The Existential Turn," where we reverse the orientation of the questions.

Rather than us as individuals asking the question, "What is the meaning of this? Why do I have to experience this?" etc. We reverse the orientation, where we see that LIFE is asking us the questions; and it is the individuals responsibility to understand the question and find a personal answer to it. "What does life want from me if it makes me face such a reality?"

What do you think?

08/01/2022

The Hidden Cost of Comparative Suffering | Brandon Bate

Whether you’ve experienced the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, been hurt, or felt abandoned at one point in your life - the experience of pain and suffering is something we all have in common. A person’s experience of suffering is unique to them, and something that only they will fully understand. Despite this, we will often engage in the curious behaviour of comparing our suffering with those around us.

To put it concretely, comparative suffering is when we view one person’s suffering in the light of another person’s suffering. Once having made the comparison, we will judge one person as being “worse off” or “better off” than another. This is natural to think about, but more often than not, we use this comparison to put ourselves down and deny what we feel. This subtle act of comparison turns into a way we invalidate our own experience, which can actually keep us stuck in a cycle of pain and refusing to reach out for help.

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog post here:
http://ow.ly/tH9G50K8cwq

07/26/2022

Trauma | Sebastian Wingfield

There are many stories we tell about what "trauma" is. That it's only "traumatic" if someone has been through something extreme like war, assault, or disaster.

What do you think?

07/25/2022

Get 10% off your First Session! 😗

Hey there 🤚 We are a counselling & psychotherapy practice based in Vernon, BC. We see clients both in-person and virtually for people all over British Columbia.

All of our counsellors are happy to share that their schedules have opened up again for new clients. To celebrate, we are offering 10% off the first session until the end of October! (Ask your therapist about the 10% off coupon code).

Check us out at www.wingfieldcps.com and Book a Free Consultation today!

07/21/2022

Relational Boundary Setting | How to find the "yes" in the "no"

Traditionally, the conversation about boundary setting has been about helping people understand the importance of saying "no" to someone and then focuses on motivation and building up the courage to follow through. However, in a Relational Boundary Setting approach, we go one step further, by focusing on helping people find where there "yes" is in their "no". When we do this, we invite others into more fulfilling relationship with us, rather than pushing them away.

In this blog post, we discuss an existential analytic approach to setting boundaries by exploring:
-Why it can be difficult to set boundaries;
-What it means to find your "yes" before you share your "no";
-Understanding when boundary setting is appropriate; and
-10 steps for healthy communication of a boundary.

http://ow.ly/Mrmt50K1y1u

07/12/2022

Ways to find moment-to-moment peace (aka joy) | Zoë Plant

Joy is the feeling of inner-peace and contentment. It is an ongoing process that takes time.

How do you find your inner joy? It looks different for each person. We invite you to take some time to reflect on what this looks like for you and what your joy tells you about yourself.

Remember: joy isn’t found in big accomplishments, milestones, or goals. It’s a sense of inner-peace that can be accessed when you’re living in alignment with your true self.