Counselling Insights

Vicki and HARC Research Manager Lisa Striegler explore how creative and expressive arts provide metaphor and connection in counselling. Lisa describes the process of running a drumming group in her small town setting. Her and Vicki also discuss the framework of combining talk therapy with rhythmic music to explore topics such as boundaries and forgiveness. And she teaches Vicki a regulation activity with a demonstration and lesson using just their hands and a drum. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Jaicee explore the evolution of the Giwiidabindimin Certificate Program at CTRI. In the context of a two eyed seeing approach, Jaicee describes her journey to become part of this program and the deepening development of her own two-eyed seeing. Drawing on her heart space and Indigenous lens alongside Western Eurocentric mental health models, Jaicee shares her passion and hopes for this growing way of learning and healing together. She describes the new Giwiidosendamin Certificate Program coming in 2025, and how everyone can grow their curiosity, cultural competency, and two-eyed seeing. More info on Jaicee can be found here. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki shares space with Tanya Dawn McDougall from St. Theresa Point Ansininew Nation, who shares her deepening understanding of the legacy of trauma and resilience in the children she supports in her community as a mental health advocate. Tanya discusses teachings and three key areas she considers that leave her hopeful about the possibilities of engaging with trauma as a teacher and catalyst to intergenerational resilience. She also describes the foundation of building the muscles of relationship from the perspective of a First Nation practitioner. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki dives into the unique world of therapeutic clowning with Angola Murdoch. As an aerialist, circus performer, and theatre director of Lookup Theatre, Angola describes her passion for creativity, movement, and serving people through therapeutic clowning. Together they explore the unique client-led process that unfolds in a hospice setting, where “Mabel” the clown connects, sings, and explores emotions with clients who are dying. Angola shares the wisdom of deep listening that we can all learn from a clown. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Clinical Psychologist Krystel Salandanan explore a multicultural approach to mental health counselling. Together they explore ways to build a strong multicultural foundation into any counsellor’s practice, emphasizing the ethical importance of making this an everyday and ongoing part of learning. And they discuss concrete strategies linked to cultural humility and intersectionality that will get you started. Stay tuned for part two of their conversation. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Therapist Emily Bushell explore borderline personality traits – both the experience of living with them, and what it’s like to be a support. Emily describes foundational strategies for getting started on building stability for those with borderline traits, and offers her two favourite strategies for helpers to stay grounded and steady in this work. Through a healing story and a reframe of the drama triangle, Emily describes the power of shifting the dynamic from victim and rescuer to an empowered and compassionate coach. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki sits down with CTRI Owner and Managing Director Nathan Gerbrandt to explore his evolving understanding of creating Trauma-Informed spaces and practices. They discuss moving beyond awareness in order to co-create safety with individuals and organizations. Nathan shares practical suggestions for seeing strengths and success as part of trauma awareness. And he highlights the influence of this model on upcoming CTRI trainings. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki sits down with CTRI Clinical Director Joddie Walker to get an inside look at how first responders can be impacted by traumatic injury. Joddie describes common themes as well as unique impacts for first responders, such as moral injury and sanctuary trauma. She explains the importance of creating a safe space to unpack the stigma around needing help and the key step of broadening the story to include adverse childhood experiences. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and former corporate leader and author Carolyn Swora discuss what it means to become a trauma-informed leader and how to apply this awareness to workplace interactions. Carolyn describes keys skills toward self-awareness, including understanding the three centres of intelligence, and the seven guarded archetypes of how we protect against vulnerability. She gives clear examples of using the three steps of her model to evolve, as described in her book, Evolve: The Path to Trauma-Informed Leadership. Follow Carolyn on LinkedIn and Instagram! For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and John explore the art of therapeutic letter writing as part of facilitating connection, charting progress, and supporting the client’s strengths. John shares examples of successes as well as missteps that have helped him learn the best ways to introduce this concept to people. He also provides tips and strategies for counsellors to make a habit of using letters to support counselling work – from before you meet the client to creating lasting impact after you end.

Vicki and Tom Walker dig into the connection between adverse childhood experiences and long-term patterns of holding stress. Tom shares his lifelong journey of understanding the impact of his own early life experiences of violence and substance abuse in his family, and his own deeply compassionate approach to supporting other first responders and helpers. Vicki and Tom explore what high intensity self-care can look like for any helper – an approach that can move us into releasing trauma and absorbed stress toward greater freedom and compassion. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Marwa Fadol share stories and excerpts from their upcoming book, Self-Care Transformed. They discuss their hope to bring new life to the concepts of self-care, wellness, and resilience. Going deeper into greater self-awareness, courage to acknowledge systemic stressors, and feel the deeper feelings, they share excerpts from their new book, along with personal experiences that have shaped their own journeys. Everyone is invited to the free book launch on November 27, noon-1PM CT! For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Melanie Bazin explore land-based wellness practices – a wholistic approach to healing and self-awareness. Melanie describes how to prepare ourselves as helpers to engage in these practices authentically and she gives examples of sessions such as work with youth she does at L'il Steps Wellness Farm. And they discuss how connecting with the land opens a reciprocal relationship of care and responsibility between ourselves and nature. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Kristen Klassen discuss Seriously Therapeutic Play – using LEGO® bricks to build metaphorical models. They explore how this process helps us to think and listen differently, and provides unique communication and problem-solving opportunities. Kristen gives examples of simple strategies any counsellor can use with a few toys to bring this process into the therapy room or a group conversation. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Rebecca Bloom explore vicarious trauma and why it's gotten more intense for helpers since the pandemic. Rebecca delves into her book, Vicarious Trauma Illustrated, to provide a process for curiosity, reflection, awareness, and discovery about our own experiences of vicarious trauma. She also reminds us that our way out of stress and overwhelm is to dance and play with each other. Note: Due to an equipment failure, Vicki's audio was negatively impacted. Our apologies for the inconvenience! For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Shelly Qualtieri discuss the process of de-escalating potentially violent situations and how we need to start by learning to de-escalate ourselves. Shelly explains how anger is a secondary emotion – the bodyguard to sadness and the protector to fear. They explore practical steps that can make a difference to calm both ourselves and others. Not only can we interrupt an escalation, but Shelly embodies a perspective that sees hope in these very situations toward possible deeper connection and healing. Note: Due to an equipment failure, Vicki's audio was negatively impacted. Our apologies for the inconvenience! For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com and for further learning on this subject try our new De-Escalating Potentially Violent Situations™ E-Course

Vicki and Michelle Gibson unpack the Internal Family Systems counselling model. Michelle describes how parts make up the internal systems of who we are, and how developing Self-energy is the foundation of healing. She also talks about her journey of learning many different counselling models to find her own personal approach to counselling.

Vicki and Jennifer Slay explore the research on adverse childhood experiences and discuss the power of greater awareness of one’s past life story to understand today’s behaviours and choices. Jennifer explains how what is happening in a child’s environment can create toxic stress that has ongoing impact on their developing brain and relationships. She also shares her resource to Slay Your Inner Critic as an example of moving toward more freedom and choice. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Family Therapist Wilma Schroeder discuss the growing area of dementia care. They explore a perspective shift from valuing others for their cognitive abilities, to valuing the whole person and relationship. Wilma shares many practical tips for enriching the life of someone living with symptoms of dementia, such as using colour and music, as well as key steps for family members and carers to attend to their own wellness. Wilma shares her hope for a future with dementia-friendly communities. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com and for further reading on dementia care read Wilma's blog.

Vicki and David Jung explore the experience of burnout in a counselling role and how we often only notice it once it has already arrived. They unpack David’s three key strategies to help notice signs of burnout sooner, and he describes learning how to say no and when to end toxic relationships. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com