Gearing up for Fall

It’s a fun time to be around Bergen and Associates Counselling these days…good things are happening, and there’s a “good vibe” that I’m just lovin’. I was listening this week to a podcast of Vinyl Caf on a run, and Stewart McLean suggested that the first of September marks a “new year” far more than January 1st…and I tend to agree with him. There is lots new happening around our place.

I’ve spent lots of time lately talking with the new therapists and interns, and just love talking “therapy” with colleagues…people who are as excited about the privilege and honor to walk with people during difficult times in their lives as I am:

Rod Minaker, who had been with us for several years, and moved on to greener pastures in winter, has come back!! Well, he’s still doing what he was, but he’ll also be working with clients on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons…which is great for couples and individuals who have busy weeks, and use the weekends to deal with personal matters. Rod comes back to us an even better therapist than when he left, given the learning and developing he’s be doing. In addition to working with clients and couples in a general way, he has developed specialities in working with people who struggle with resentment, with couples where there has been abuse, and with batterers. We missed him, and it feels great to have him hanging around again. (And I think he likes us…which we like too!)

Then, we have a number of options for counselling at reduced rates. There are two reasons which combine to make this very important to me:

1. Several years ago, the bottom fell out of my world…I was lonely, terrified, and broken hearted for a time…and while I had great support from my friends and family, there are some things that just don’t work to process with a friend. I was able see someone, but only about once every two months. The therapist was enormously helpful in helping me screw my head on straight…but I couldn’t go more often than that…even though I would have loved to. Cuz truth was, I couldn’t afford seeing a therapist regularly. Personal crises often have ripple effects to other areas of a person’s life…including financially. I’ve never forgotten that. It’s a lousy feeling to feel like you need help, but the very situation you need help with prevents you from being able to afford the counselling. Yuck. I want to do what I can so that others can have some options if they find themselves in a similar situation.
2. I’ve also never forgotten the incredible investment more experienced therapists made in my life when I was first starting out to be a therapist. I learned much from the therapists and clients, and I would like to think my passion and energy to grow as a therapist and to work effectively with my clients compensated for my lack of experience. 🙂 The support I received from supervisors that enabled me to give good therapy to clients was priceless…and I learned much, and I think the clients were able to gain from the wisdom and expertise of the more senior therapists through me.

So, to that end, we are expanding our intern program that offers therapy at a reduced fee, with a variety of options:

Michael Quiring is also a recent graduate with his Master’s degree in counselling. He is passionate about the work of therapy, and has invested deeply into developing himself into an experienced therapist. He has been with us for several weeks and we are excited to have him around. He is working with us as a senior intern at $50.00 per 60 minute session on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (and soon Fridays as well)

Together with Nadia Sawaya, Roshonna Plett, Gale Shaver and myself, we have a terrific team of therapists. We are passionate about our work, care deeply about our clients, and enjoy each other around the office…I think it’s going to be a fabulous fall. If you would like to inquire further about making an appointment with us, give us a call, or send us an email…we’d love to hear from you!