COUNSELING:
1. Is only talking about my problems and that doesn’t help.
Opening up, sharing and being heard in a non-judgmental way does alleviate emotional pressure. It’s a way for you to open up to new perspectives about yourself and the world around you.
2. Is all talk and no action.
The experiential therapy I practice involves teaching you how to track your body, access how thoughts and emotions have physical correlates that can be observed and transformed to support your mental and emotional healing.
3. Is only for those with Serious Mental Illness.
Let’s be real, life is strife with ups and downs and one does not need to have a clinical diagnosis to access or benefit from counseling. Whether it’s grieving, a broken heart, confusion, sadness, loneliness, feeling unworthy, etc…anyone who is reading this has experienced some form of pain and suffering.
4. Shows how weak and how incapable I really am.
Staying stuck in old patterns and ways of experiencing your life just plain and simple doesn’t feel good. Recognizing this and wanting help is a sign of strength and courage.
5. Is what my family and friends do all the time so I don’t need a professional.
Friends and family are fantastic support systems and can be leaned on for help, but it’s a two-way street – one that involves give and take, expectations and assumptions. As a professional counselor, I am here as a support and solely dedicated to your well-being.
6. Is a longer way to get to what medications can do now.
I am committed to long-term healing that does not come with a slew of physical side effects. I AM all for the side effects of joy, silliness, compassion for self and others, patience, confidence, calmness, authentic expression including uncovering and delving into what obstacles, fears, stresses, ideas, reasoning, actions have held you back from being the best you.
7. Counselors are quacks, crazy and know it all’s.
Spend time assessing whether the counselor you meet with really cares about you. To facilitate the ‘good fit process’, I do offer 1 free intro session and encourage clients to sleep on it as well as suss out other therapists.
8. Will take years and a hefty financial investment.
It is an investment that’s for sure. When therapy is effective the benefits are ten-fold and well worth your efforts. Therapy is diligent work, effort, and commitment towards healing and transformations that last a life time. Rates are clearly listed and agreed upon.
9. I don’t like crying in front of anyone.
Tears are healthy J
10. I can figure it out myself.
Yes sometimes you can, and sometimes old patterns just stay stuck. Not everyone has the emotional, mental, and spiritual resources to lean on. The fact is: we have all needed help at some point, and have likely even helped others. Counseling is targeted and focused attention of specific areas. The fabulous phenomenon of counseling is that your personalized set of tools is transferable to many of life issues and challenges.
Lauren is an Experiential and Integration specialist. She is a psychotherapist and has a history of working with people in crisis and severe trauma, and has worked with the world famous Chopra Center for addictions in Squamish, BC. As the former Director for the BC Settlement and Integration Workers Association (BCSIWA) she counseled counselors on a range of subjects from dealing with survivors of torture to incorporating laughter in the workplace.
Safe, confidential, nurturing, non-judgmental and growth oriented, Lauren believes in helping you heal your past and present wounds, core issues, and negative life patterns; from the extremely traumatic to the seemingly mundane. Together you will address Cellular (Micro) layers to Soul Connecting (Macro) levels of your unique and amalgamated life experiences. To what end? To experience your Body, Brain, Heart, and Spirit as integrated. To live authentically, with passion, purpose and JOY!
Find out more about Lauren Johnson here
No Comments
Be the first to start a conversation