Find a Therapist in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia.

In psychotherapy, my focus is to build a trusting and therapeutic relationship with you so that you can safely uncover a deeper understanding of yourself, your thoughts and your feelings. You are unique in your approach and response to change and so there is no limit to the time you need. I am available to support long-term therapy while you engage in self-reflection and personal growth. To facilitate a therapeutic process, I draw on a wide range of skills and therapies that includes interpersonal, person-centred, systems, social justice, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.

Patterns of self-sabotaging behavioural, disorganized thinking and overwhelming emotion make life very difficult. How can we move forward when our bodies seem to betray us and we just need a break from the buzzing anxiety or the numbing of depression? What you may not know is all these symptoms are the imprint of our unfinished business, stuck in the body and just begging to be seen, cared for and accepted. Working with me means looking with curiosity, compassion and an educated-eye at how old wounds of betrayal, abandonment and rejection show up to block living your best life. You are not alone and there is hope.

If you're finding that childhood trauma or past trauma is impacting the way you move through the world, the relationships you have (or want but struggle to have), how you feel about yourself, or how stuck you feel in your life in general, Gravitate Counselling Inc. can help. Our counsellors offer trauma-informed therapy, giving you a space to work through the past hurts that continue to affect you. Offering phone and online video counselling to clients across British Columbia, our counsellors can help you understand how your experiences have shaped you, explore what changes you'd like to see in your life, and build the skills to help you move forward.

Psychotherapy is a more long-term approach that is based on trust. When entering psychotherapy, both of us make a commitment to being honest and present in the relationship. Together, we can develop a safe space for you to explore your inner world and put words to your inner experiences. For psychotherapy, I will generally suggest that we meet once a week or once every two weeks for a number of months or even years. Psychotherapy is a process of great personal transformation.

I am honoured that you are interested in my services and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been described as slightly non-conventional in the counselling world, which suits me perfectly, and also tends to suit youth who are trying to stand up to the force of the problems in their life. I am very comfortable working with this population, and I feel fortunate that I can connect with teens the way I do, conventionally or in a way that makes sense to them.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, most of the work we will be doing is psychotherapeutic by definition. In my practice I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can open up and explore early trauma, old wounds and self-limiting beliefs. Our focus will probably involve Family of Origin work and to how to become more clear on what themes and issues were at play as you grew up. More importantly, our work in that area will involve what the consequences of living with that family were and how you can make more authentic and life-affirming choices now.

Each of us has a persona and a shadow. Our persona is what we project out to the world . Our personal shadow contains the less acceptable and most often unconscious aspects of who we are. Psychotherapy, when most effective, addresses the shadow. It is through our discovery and acceptance of our shadow elements that we balance inner conflict and discover unrealized potential and new creative energy. Your shadow is welcome in my office.

Who are you? Why did you do that? What affect did that have on you? How would you like to do that differently? Together we'll explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and gain some insight in order to increase your sense of well-being, improve your relationships, and achieve higher levels of functioning. We will pay close attention to the information your body gives us, and work at regulating the intense emotion through somatic awareness, inquiry, interventions, and reflections.

For me psychotherapy involves a deep listening, a drawing out process, and a dialogue that invites the person to understand their life's journey with a fresh insight into their challenges and successes and potential. There are often undisclosed victories and triumphs that we overlook as we consider our challenges. Acknowledging our hidden strengths is an important component of moving forward.

My approach is to work collaboratively with clients using a holistic model of therapy which entails a blending of Eastern and Western modalities. For example, training in meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, proper exercise, a nutritious, science-based diet and maintaining proper sleep hygiene. Also, including talk therapy can then help to reveal core values and issues. Mindfulness training benefits clients in observing clearly thoughts and behaviours. Clients benefit greatly through the use of evidence based interventions by developing the skills needed to evaluate thought patterns and overcome destructive patterns.

Take the courageous step towards personal growth and lasting change by engaging in my unique style of psychotherapy. I've been a psychotherapist for over 30 years and learned what's most effective from the clients I've worked with in the past. Through collaborative sessions tailored to meet your needs we will explore challenges, uncover insights, determine a path to healing, and develop effective strategies for a more fulfilling life. Unlock your resilience and your potential for happiness!

Psychotherapy and counselling can support you in a better understanding of yourself, your family, your identity, your purpose, and your belonging. Psychotherapy can help you focus inward to find your own healing potential to change your relationship to yourself, to others, to your community, and to our planet. Psychotherapy is not always easy, but it is worth it - YOU are worth it.

Psychotherapy is a counseling process which helps you understand why the things that are troubling you have happened. I will ask you to tell me your story in detail and ask lots of questions to help you gain clarity and insight. This is not a quick counseling method but aims to be a thorough one. The goal is to support you in making the changes you need to make to improve your situation. We will identify your competencies and build on them with new skills. Psychotherapy can be an exciting experience for you as you learn to live your life more as you would like to see it. You may experience some discomfort as you confront issues you have avoided but you will see positive growth in yourself.

Diving in to our selves and our unconscious minds can yield unexpected gifts. Sometimes individuals are called to do so because of problems in their lives or symptoms that cause them discomfort, and at other times for personal growth and self-innovation. Through guided self-exploration, you can heal and grow. You can experience increased life satisfaction, a greater sense of meaning and purpose, and a broadened awareness of your past and present choices so that you can improve the ones you make in the future.

I provide a strong sense of safe space for client's to open up. Even though I'm non-judgmental and believe the client should be in the driver's seat, I'm not afraid to grab the wheel when needed! Expert direction is sometimes called for in the therapeutic relationship. I'm a confident therapist who brings over 20 years of experience to therapeutic work. I am fluent in various modalities of therapy, including DBT, ACT and CBT. My goal to support (and gently guide) my clients to live their best lives.

I am a registered Clinical Counsellor or practicing Psychotherapist in the Province of British Columbia. I have been practicing for over 25 years in the field of Mental Health and relationship counselling. Psychotherapy typically uses talk therapy, however, in my practice, I also use creative arts approaches if clients prefer. Psychotherapy can help with symptoms that interfere with enjoying life to the fullest. I use a trauma-informed approach, meaning that I am sensitive to the conditions and experiences that can retraumatize a person in counselling.

Psychotherapy is similar to counselling. Individuals attend regular sessions for a variety of issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress, body image, eating disorders, self esteem, and personal growth. Psychotherapy includes therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectival-Behavioural Therapy, and Mindfulness Training. Individuals explore thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and patterns. Through self awareness and learning new skills and strategies, individuals can feel better, more connected to themselves and others, more clarity around personal needs, and experience greater joy and increased functioning.

Psychotherapy can be effective and greatly beneficial for couples, individuals and families. We strive to create a safe and understanding environment where we work in a collaborative manor based on your goals and needs. We will work with a variety of techniques tailored to your specific needs providing optimal results. Through psychotherapy you can begin to see yourself and your world through a non partial and neutral lens. Through the clarity and acceptance of your authentic self we will work to build your tools for ongoing personal growth and success, independent of counselling.

My approach is rooted in creating a collaborative and empathetic space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I believe in the power of a therapeutic relationship built on trust and respect, serving as a foundation for the transformative process of self-discovery and healing. Drawing from various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, and Humanistic approaches, I tailor my methods to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. By fostering a non-judgmental environment, I aim to empower clients to openly express themselves and work towards understanding the underlying factors influencing their behaviours.

My goal is for you to feel better, clearer, and confident that you can make a change; and that you have a meaningful goal to work towards. My first interest is to alleviate the pain and confusion if present through listening and clarifying. My approach is guided by the challenge presented and the change desired. Identifying the key influences is often helpful towards developing motivation and how to move forward.

Ongoing psychotherapy consists of exploring your own unique personal experience and relational past in order to discover who you are and who you want to be and become. It can reveal old patterns and roles you may want to change in your current life, and it can also help clarify your own responses, actions, and beliefs. Effective psychotherapy can be a huge catalyst for growth and self-actualization. I draw on several modalities to assist this process - Somatic Psychotherapy, Relational Life Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

Psychotherapy is a fancy word for having someone truly, sincerely, empathetically and without preconceptions or judgements, share your truth with you. It is the greatest honor and also responsibility to hold precious, with respect, everything you bring to the counselling experience. Sometimes that is trauma, shame or guilt. Sometimes psychotherapy includes delving into your past but this is not always the case. If you are wanting to focus on the present, and explore how to make a life more worth living, psychotherapy can provide you the insights you need to make positive change in your life. What is important to know is that regardless of where you are or want to go, you are safe with me.

It is important to find the right counsellor who makes you feel comfortable and able to share freely. I use an integrated approach so that I can be flexible to my client's needs. This means that I use a variety of techniques and approaches to best meet the needs and goals of my clients. Clients would benefit from seeing me as I can be flexible and create a space where they feel safe to explore.

Dr Sharolyn Sloat, Psychotherapist, Victoria BC, provides psychotherapy, counselling, and psychological services in a variety of areas to individuals, couples, and groups. Her expertise includes, but is not limited to, Relationship Issues, Addictions Analysis, Managing Emotions & Energy, Personal Growth, Human Performance, Career Concerns, Perfectionism, LGBT Issues, and Balance & Wellness. She takes an action-oriented and solution-based approach while helping clients to clarify, articulate and negotiate their needs and boundaries. Exploration, Enlightenment & Empowerment are the goals.

Psychotherapy offers a safe, collaborative space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in depth. My approach focuses on building a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel supported and empowered. Together, we’ll identify patterns that may be holding you back and work toward meaningful change by developing new insights and coping strategies. Clients benefit from increased self-awareness, improved emotional well-being, and practical tools to navigate challenges, fostering personal growth and a greater sense of fulfillment in life.