I welcome clients with diverse backgrounds and needs. I value diversity for gender, sexual orientation, race, age, religion, ability, relationship status, and family or social/interpersonal context are never barriers to working with me. Similarly, clients generally find me open, kind, joyful and authentic. In essence, listening to clients’ personal stories is a privilege; and I believe that feeling heard and understood is often a first potent step towards meaning making and change. My counselling space is one of acceptance and safety. When weather permits, my "office" includes working out-of-doors, sit by the lake or take a gentle hike up the mountain. Both these resources are just a few steps from my office.
Modalities
My approach is grounded in person-centered holistic integrative therapy based on psycho-synthesis which addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental elements on each person's own Medicine Wheel. In contrast to traditional forms of therapy, I do not focus on pathologies but rather aim to gently investigate symptoms/conditions as doorways to solutions against the backdrop of strengths and potential.
As a form of healing, holistic psychotherapy aims to address the symptoms of psychological and emotional distress linked with anxiety, depression, addiction and other issues. Holistic therapy tends to not focus on behaviors and thoughts but rather concentrates its focus on the relationship clients have with their situation, themselves and interpersonal dynamics. In sum, this model aims to seek and create a balanced approach and find meaning for its current context of being, feeling, thinking.
Mind/Body Psychotherapy is based on the premise that healing and creating positive life change takes time, patience, and gentleness. Indeed, the therapeutic process is not linear, but a dynamic process that interweaves and thus every session must be grounded in the client's present moment experience so that healing and positive change can occur naturally.
As each individual's healing path is different, I believe and trust that, if given spaciousness, unconditional positive regard and understanding, we can all learn to navigate our own healing journey. Beginning with the end in mind, and starting in the unique readiness of each person, I strive to journey together through the sacred realm of the client's experience.
As I embrace the contribution of multiple systems for treatment planning, my Integrative approach is guided by clients' needs, goals and practice standards including:
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Stress Reduction Therapy - Equine-Assisted Therapy - Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) - Gestalt Equine-Assisted Therapy - Narrative Therapy - Family Systems Therapy - Existential Therapy - Indigenous Shamanic Practices - Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Solution-Focused Therapy - Contemplative Psychotherapy - Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) - Process Oriented groups & Women's Issues and Ceremonies.
"One of Anni's strengths is her ability to connect with her clients and form a therapeutic relationship - especially with clients who have a history of trauma...she is an excellent counsellor, intuitive & skilled..." (Malabar, C, Nelson mental health counselor).