Do you work with other concerns that are not health related?

Yes, definitely! We can all experience symptoms of anxiety and depression at various times as we go through life. Sometimes life requires us to develop new skills to manage stress, cope with challenges, and adapt our responses due to new circumstances. At some point, we all experience change, loss and grief. I would love to support you though the challenge you are facing.

Not sure if I can help with your specific concern? Reach out and ask (joanna.nicholson.counselling@gmail.com) or book a free consultation so we can chat.

What can I expect in a session?

First, I want to hear your story, get you know you, and learn about why you are seeking counselling at this time. I believe that you are the expert on you! I bring my education, knowledge, skills and experience to our relationship. Together we collaborate to figure out what is most helpful for you. I have lots of ideas of what could be helpful but it’s important to find interventions and therapies that are a good fit for you.

What types of therapy are you trained in?

I have training and experience in the following types of therapy:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – CBT understands that our thoughts, behaviours and emotions are interconnected. Interventions are targeted on examining how our thoughts and behaviours are impacting our emotions.

Gottman Couples Therapy – I have completed training with the Gottman Institute (level I & II). I draw on many of Gottman’s interventions when working with couples. Check out their website for more resources - https://www.gottman.com/

EMDR Therapy – I have been trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which can be very effective at healing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s a little different than talk therapy as it targets the negative belief you hold about yourself related to a certain incident, and helps you shift that negative belief to a more positive/adaptive belief. It’s such a privilege to do this work with my patients!

I have found EMDR therapy to be very helpful for a number of my patients who have had traumatic health care experiences, are struggling with symptoms/health related changes, and/or feel anxious even though their health situation has resolved. Together, we can assess if EMDR therapy would be a good fit for you.

What are your specialities?

Chronic Pain - I am a certified Pain Reprocessing Therapy practitioner. Pain can be understood as a conversation between your brain and your body. Counselling can support you in clearing up any ‘miscommunications’ between your brain and your body’s pain messages. This is a newer evidence-based approach for supporting those suffering with chronic pain, as well as other physical symptoms. Interested? Feel free to schedule a free 15 min consultation and and we can see if this therapy would be helpful for you. Or you can check out the pain reprocessing therapy patient hub for resources (https://www.painreprocessingtherapy.com/patient-hub).

Health Concerns - I am very familiar with supporting those who have been diagnosed with cancer and/or a chronic illness. With experience in the health care system, I understand that navigating illness is complex and can bring up many different things for different people (uncertainty, feeling alone/abandoned, fear of the future, anxiety/panic, loss of identity, and/or grief - just to name a few).

Caregiver Support - It’s hard to see a family member, spouse, child, friend or loved one struggle with pain or illness. You are there to support them and I would love to be a support to you as you figure out how to balance their needs with your own needs so that you can find a sustainable pace in a challenging time.

Do you offer mental health crisis support?

Unfortunately, due to my schedule and other commitments, I am unable to offer mental health crisis support. I only have the capacity to meet with you during our scheduled appointments.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please proceed to your nearest emergency room for medical attention. You can call 911 if you are unable to get yourself there. Also check out these crisis resources:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/mental-health-support-in-bc/suicide-and-self-harm

https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/get-help/

What if I cannot afford counselling rates?

As a registered clinical counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC), fee rates are recommended by BCACC. Check out their website for more information - https://bcacc.ca/how-to-choose-a-counsellor/

Check with your extended health care benefits to see if clinical counselling rates are eligible for reimbursement. If not, you can investigate low-cost counselling options in your community. If you are a patient of BC Cancer, you are able to access supportive care, including counselling - http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/services/supportive-care

If you feel that you would benefit from counselling but cannot afford it at this time, you are welcome to request a free 15 min consultation and we can discuss the specifics of your situation and what you are looking for.

Are you able to incorporate my faith/spirituality into therapy?

Absolutely! Faith and spirituality can be an incredible source of strength for people, especially when facing a health crisis. Hard times can also lead to questioning of beliefs we hold. If faith/spirituality is important to you, then it would be an honor bring your beliefs into therapy.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

I have chosen to offer virtual sessions because it reduces the limitations of being in a specific geographical location, allows us both to be in the comfort of our own space, and enables me to schedule sessions more efficiently, which means I have more sessions available. We will meet virtually through Jane App which I use to run my practice. If you have questions about privacy and confidentiality related to the Jane App, see https://jane.app/guide/security-faq for more details.

If you would prefer an in-person counselling session, you are welcome to check out the BCACC website (https://bcacc.ca/)  to find a registered clinical counsellor in your area.

Do you have any other specialties?

Yes! I have experience with the Complex Care and Intervention (CCI) model which supports children who have experienced complex trauma early in life. I do not work directly with children, but love supporting the parents/caregivers of children who have complex behavioural concerns due to trauma. This is an evidence-based and incredibly hopeful way of working with children who have complex care needs. Check out https://www.complextrauma.ca/ for more details or reach out - I would love to share more about this with you!