Aly Giesbrecht, CPC

 So, you're looking for a therapist... 

 It can be somewhat overwhelming trying to find a practitioner you might connect with, as there are a lot of available options and the work of therapy is, well, very personal in nature. My hope is to give you a useful window into what therapy is like with me by not only offering you some of the necessary 'mechanical' information about therapy (please see that section below), but also a partial look at who I am as a person (after all, it's what each individual practitioner brings to their work that makes every experience in therapy unique).
 
Let's begin with the latter, as this is an important part of what sets me apart from other worthwhile practitioners out there (but you can skip to the 'mechanical' information if you'd like, that's just fine too). What you're about to read are some of my values, which inform my therapeutic approach.
 

A bit about Aly Giesbrecht:

I know full well that life can be incredibly messy, and it can be difficult to find safe spaces to be vulnerable. It's risky to do so, because let's face it: judgmental responses aren't hard to find, yet are deeply painful (and impactful). Every person alive has had experiences of being hurt, and doing things that cause hurt to others. My passion is stepping into both with compassion. Life is not black and white (no matter how much simpler things would be if it were). 
 
As a person, I'm generally quite gentle (which also often means I'm soft-spoken--heads up to those of you who have hearing difficulties!). I value redemption over condemnation, understanding over self-righteous snap-judgments. I value kindness, compassion, and healing.
 

I also value accountability. Regardless what brings you to therapy, in order to see change happen for you, accountability is likely to be an integral part of our work (both within the therapy room and outside of it, and accountability is a two-way street). It essentially involves taking responsibility for what belongs to us (not what belongs to others), and taking necessary steps to change what needed in order to achieve greater health (personally and within our relationships). Accountability may not be an easy, but it is absolutely worthwhile.

'Mechanical' Information about Therapy with Me (Aly) 

Who do I see in therapy?

• Individuals who are 18 or older
• Couples (pre-marital or marital) 

What areas of interest can I help you with?

• experiencing relationship difficulties. This includes working through conflict and communication issues, as well as growing assertive communication.
• find relief from emotional dysregulation, including anxiety, depression, shame, dissociation, anger, and grief.
• understand trauma's impact on their body, as well as building abilities to heal and regulate is difficult effects. 
• with ADHD navigate challenges in the emotional, relational, and everyday realms of life. 
• in recovery from addiction learn new ways of finding relief outside harmful substances. 
• whose loved one is struggling with addiction understand and navigate the impact of addiction in their own lives. 

This list is not exhaustive. If you're wondering if I can help with something that's not on this list, please reach out and ask! If I am not the right service provider for you, I will help you get connected with a provider who might be a better fit.

Main therapeutic approach:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Emotion-Focus Therapy
• Attachment Theory
• Insights from Neuroscience
• Compassion-focused therapy

My approach in therapy is pretty eclectic. Because no two clients are identical, I aim to adapt my approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

 

Education & Certification:

• I have my Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychology
• I have a Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences, with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology
• I am a CPC (Certified Professional Counsellor) with PACCP (Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists)

I undergo yearly, specialized training in a variety of areas (couple's work, trauma, ADHD, etc.) to further increase my competency as a general practitioner. 

 

Other basic information:

• Cost: $90/50 mins
• Location: 530 Rue Sabourin, Unit 2, in St. Pierre Jolys, MB 
• In-person or online counselling available
• I provide invoices and receipts for services