Seeking out counselling is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to counselling. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition or a grief/loss concern.  Working with a counsellor can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Counselling is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Studies have been showing that telephone counselling is as effective as in person counselling. Telephone counselling could also be considered as "green" or more environmentally responsible counselling - since you don't need to drive anywhere, you won't be paying for parking, and you can schedule counselling which fits your schedule. Telephone counselling is very helpful for people with mobility challenges, or being in a location far from any place where there might be a counsellor. With telephone counselling, there is a focusing process, which easily gets to issues where a person might blush or feel embarrased without any sense of judgement from the counsellor's body language.

My initial training and service as a telephone counsellor took place in 1971. Throughout my career, there have been many opportunities to continue the practice of telephone counselling in a variety of environments, including service in the field of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling for nearly a decade, with clients throughout North America, the Caribbean and in Europe.

I understand that this is a very painful and difficult decision, and my heart truly goes out to you. When your beloved animal receives a terminal diagnosis, I will support you in making this very painful and difficult decision, as to when the time is right for euthanasia for you and your animal. I also provide guidance and help you to look at all the options. After the loss of a pet, I provide a safe place and an empathic ear as you share your feelings, memories, and thoughts of your beloved animal. I am available to help you commemorate and remember the impact your beloved pet had on you and your family's lives.

Sometimes grief can feel this way. Your mind and your body have just experienced a tremendous loss. Many people have said that they don't have the same energy as they did before, or are forgetting things more easily, or are having problems sleeping. Sharing and talking about your grief can help.

Absolutely. I am here to provide a safe place for you to share your memories and feelings about your beloved animal. Many people say they feel better after one or two sessions. However, should you choose, you may continue for as long as you need to. It is entirely your choice and as a counsellor, I am here to support you through your decisions.

It is common to have people in your life who won't understand the bond and connection you have to your animal. It's important for you to know that for some people losing an animal is as painful as losing a person in their lives. This is why it is very important to take care of yourself and work through your grief.

I understand that your beloved animals are an important part of your family. We can discuss ways to improve the already strong bond between your pet and all the members in your family for a happy, healthy, and peaceful family.

As a lifetime animal lover and someone who has experience working with people and animals in various settings, it is a true privilege to honor your connection and to provide support at various stages with your pets.

I am grateful to be able to provide professional support to those who are wanting to strengthen and remember the impact their beloved animals have had on their lives. I have had many animals who have positively affected my life, as you have too. It is about celebrating these experiences and honoring the bond you have with your beloved animals.

I am prepared to speak with people of all ages. For children under the age of 16 years, I do need to speak with parents first.

I provide confidential telephone counselling sessions. I provide Grief and Bereavement Therapy, with a special focus for Pet Loss; for example, children grieving the passing of a cherished family pet, K-9 handlers mourning the loss of a service dog, veterinary and other animal care providers.

My style is typically Cognitive Behavioral in nature. I provide supportive companioning service for grieving people. I offer Individual , couples and family sessions. My services are research based, scientifically sound, and practiced with the highest professional standards.

Hours are by appointment Pacific Standard Time; Monday to Saturday; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  I offer convenient appointment times in the evenings and on weekends, by prior arrangement.

When we speak for the first time I will review our Statement of Understanding, discuss the situation you are concerned about, ask some questions about history and background and we'll then discuss your goals for counselling, to develop a plan for you to get to your goals at a speeed that fits for you.

It is not possible to answer this question accurately since the length of counselling depends on your unique needs. As I learn more about you, I might be able to provide you with some idea about how long we might be working together.

Sessions are usually about 50 minutes long. We will schedule sessions depending on your needs.

Only  medical doctors are authorized to prescribe medications.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counselling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counselling.

Every counselling session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for counsellors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during counselling sessions.  There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the counselling sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For counselling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking counselling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of counselling:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Real strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

In some cases a combination of medication and counselling may be the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor and your counsellor, you can determine what's best for you. You can best achieve a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

• What are my mental health benefits?
• What is the coverage amount per counselling session?
• How many counselling sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and counsellor. No information is disclosed without prior knowledge and written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The counsellor is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The counsellor is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The counsellor will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.