Art Therapy

http://www.alkemyarttherapy.com/ art therapy is the use and exploration of creative expression, as a means for communication and self reflection; which provides a uniquely personal and somatic counselling experience. art therapists recognize symbolic representation as a pre-verbal and primal way of knowing; a personally interpreted language with access to the unconscious mind and memory. through process based art making, that focuses largely on the felt experience of creating, art therapy will guide you through a conversion with your own creative process, and provide an opportunity to discover and reflect through a self made mirror into the psyche.

Counselling

Welcome to Truest ReflectionsA reflection of Barbara Hunter:Having moved to the Okanagan in 2009, Barbara Hunter brought her family from Alberta to experience more opportunity and to start a new life.2009 presented a hard transition as a married parent of two children to a single parent.  Addictions played a big part in this transition.  From this point, Barbara then went through more addictions and mental health experiences within her family.  This was the hardest place that Barbara had ever been.At the age of 43, Barbara (aka Barb) acknowledged that she had been through many obstacles, jumped through many hoops and over high fences in her life. She realized that she had a lot of compassion for others who experienced their own obstacles, struggles and pain.Mental health and addictions, although very exhausting, frustrating and challenging, Barbara chose to take all that she went through, all that she experienced and put it together with education so that she could help others.From here, Barb pursued Counselling as her new career.  Still working full time, parenting and volunteering Barb strived to put her life experience into perspective and combine all that she had experienced with an academic flavor so she could better assist those experiencing life as she had.  She saw gaps in the system of addictions and wanted to create more opportunities for healing.Reflection of Barbara as the Counsellor:Barb’s biggest desire is to be present, mindful and to listen intentionally.  In these moments she finds how to connect with others and lead by simply reflecting what she sees in them.  She believes we all have the answers but are we being asked the right questions?  All it takes is a little observation, listening, bold questions and trust.Barb’s greatest belief is that our healing process requires acknowledging what is holding us back, trusting what we feel, letting go of the excess that no longer serves us and taking a leap of faith.  As Carl Jung expressed – “Diving not Drowning”.By walking the path together with Barb she will simply be the voice that guides you, listens and lets you know you are not alone.  Progression towards healing is slow, but the journey can be everything.What is it that you can do to fully be you?  What better day to find out than today.  Your Truest Reflection awaits you.

Counselling

A secure, comfortable place where your story is safe. A place provided for you to be heard, not judged and where a truly intuitive person can assist you with sharing those hard moments that need healing. A trusting space for you to heal. Reiki is a healing energy performed as a laying on of hands touch system. It is not a diagnostic tool. Reiki is to balance and align the body, mind and spirit. The healing energy can provide the tools needed to fully heal yourself as well as your loved ones. Reiki is a beautiful, gentle form of healing that uses Universal Life Force Energy to remove any blocks caused by physical, mental, emotional or spiritual distress. Once the blocks are removed the body can then heal itself naturally. A Few Reiki Benefits Reiki can aid in recovery from injuries Reiki can promote general well-being; improving the immune system Reiki can treat stress and help with insomnia Reiki can relieve allergies and headaches Reiki can sooth tight muscles and calm a busy mind. Reiki can help induce a state of deep relaxation A typical session is about 55 minutes. The client will lie on the massage table, be surrounded with peaceful and tranquil items such as water and plants. Therapeutic touch is infused into the session which enables people to re-pattern their energy toward wholeness and health. I offer counselling sessions as well as a combined counselling session with Reiki.

Counselling

A Lifeline For a Lifetime:When you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark and help you see your brilliance.David Burns RPCcLife is full of intense challenges that can create such issues as anxiety, depression, addiction, anger problems and low self-esteem. Who better to help you navigate your way through these challenges, than someone like myself who has forged a path through these issues. Together we can create solutions for a brighter future."I have endured, I have been broken, I have known hardship. I have lost myself. But yet here I stand, still moving forward, growing stronger every day. I will never forget the harsh lessons in my life. They made me stronger and wiser."  And now I offer that strength and wisdom to you, to help you move forward and grow stronger. Most people don't realize how much courage it takes some days just to get out of bed, or how hard it is to pull yourself out of an anxiety attack, or how stressful it is to explain what's going on in your head when you don't even understand it yourself...but I do!!!"Unfortunately, most of us are continuously trying to distract ourselves from facing ourselves."As a counsellor, David strives to help people make new discoveries about themselves and what helps them overcome the obstacles they face. David's clients trust him to guide them on their journey to achieve the goals they set for themselves. David enjoys working with people from all walks of life. Counseling can be a wonderful and wise opportunity to explore the courage to change the things you can and the serenity to accept the rest.David is dedicated to providing nurturing, creative and flexible healing environments and experiences.David is someone who understands the transformative power of therapy, he is passionate about learning, listening, and bringing balance and wellness to the lives of his clients..There are four areas that I focus on in my work; Anxiety/Depression, Anger Management, Addiction & Personal Development Workshops. Working together in these areas, I know I can help you unlock and heal the pain that you carry from the past and assist you in building a stronger today with a new awareness and understanding of your own natural resources and strengths.Anxiety/Depression:Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. Depression is living in a body that fights to survive, with a mind that tries to die.Anger Management:Anger can be uncomfortable. Our culture’s view of anger may contribute to our difficulties with this complicated emotion. We often regard anger as the ugly stepchild of emotions, making it less acceptable to express than sadness or anxiety. The result: we don’t always learn how to handle our anger constructively. Yet, when managed with care and attention, anger can be a force for reflection and even the impetus for major breakthroughs in how we feel and live our lives.Addiction:Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs or alcohol. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs or alcohol lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their substance use simply by choosing to. In reality, addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs and alcohol change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfull.Personal Development Workshops:Personal development is an often used but rarely explained term. It is about investing in yourself so that you can manage yourself effectively regardless of what life might bring your way. Personal development allows you to be proactive. Rather than wait for good things to happen, you get out there and make them happen. You may not always achieve your objective, but you will experience a richer and more rewarding life when you commit to pursuing your own objectives. Making that commitment to personal development is the first step on the path to personal fulfilment.

Bereavement

Counseling Services for Bereavement, Families in Addiction or Mental Health