Lighting the way forward
Whether a significant event has brought life as you know it to a halt, or you’re just thinking it’s time to prioritize your wellbeing, teaming up with an experienced counsellor is a great first step towards creating a future you want.
Counselling can be as individual as each person and the issues that bring them into therapy. The counselling approach that best suits you will depend on your personality, history, and goals. As a Registered Psychotherapist I provide support and reflection to help you move towards a life you value.
I work with adults of all ages and enjoy building connections with teens as well as teaching coping strategies and self-acceptance to children 8 and up. Counselling that includes a Christian perspective is available for those wanting to incorporate their faith into sessions. Sessions are 60 minutes in length with daytime, evening, and weekend appointments available. Counselling is provided online or in-person.
Some of the issues I’ve explored with past clients include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief/loss
- Life transitions
- Relationship issues
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- ADHD
- Health diagnosis
- Stress
- Caregiver issues
- MindBody health
- School issues
- Self esteem
- Separation and divorce
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination/motivation
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Christian Counselling
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (aka Tapping Technique)
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Choosing a therapist
The fit between client and therapist is amongst the most important aspects of counselling. My role is to pace our work together in a way that allows you to safely navigate through struggles – challenging you to embrace the change you need or want while promoting self-acceptance and self-care at the same time. I encourage clients to voice their feedback as we go so the counselling approach can be tailored to best suit you. This helps ensure you get the most out of the effort you put in.
I encourage you to reach out via phone or email for a free 15 minute consultation. This gives you a chance to get a sense for me and my counselling style to better assess if it’s a match for you!
You are only one defining decision away from a totally different life!
~ Mark Batterson
What to expect at your first appointment?
Whether you’ve attended counselling before or this is your first time stepping into a counselling session, rest assured, it’s common to experience a variety of emotions – anxiety, excitement, fear, anticipation…
In our first session together, we’ll review what you can expect in terms of confidentiality and go over your intake form. You can fill in the intake form beforehand if you like (I generally provide a copy to clients via email in advance of their first appointment). Alternatively, you’re welcome to bring it into our first session so we can work through it together.
Our first hour together will largely be spent talking about your story and discussing what brings you into counselling at this time in your life. Together we’ll move forward from there, one step at a time. Frequency of appointments depends on a number of variables – I offer sessions as frequently as once a week and as infrequently as once every couple months depending on what stage of counselling your at. Please note that Rising Light Counselling is not considered a crisis center and services are not available 24/7.
The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.
~ J. Martin Kohe
but for those who prefer in-person appointments...
What's the office like?
The counselling office is located in the O Wellness building at 15 Grand Ave West, Chatham, Ontario. Clients are welcome to enter the office and make themselves comfortable in the waiting area. I will greet you there at your appointment time. (Washroom facilities are available for clients.)
