Connor’s Approach
Connor situates himself in a Person-Centred framework developed by psychologist Carl Rogers, and takes an eclectic approach towards the interventions he uses. He genuinely believes all human beings are inherently good-natured, and we have the unique and instinctual ability to strive towards growth, completeness, and fulfillment in our lives. When this process is challenged by loved ones, role models, and society, we begin to drift away from who we truly are. Ultimately, this drift leads to a conflict between our true-self and the self others want us to be, and these two competing selves may lead to symptoms of psychological distress and imbalance.
Working with Connor you’ll begin to discover your beliefs and values that will enable you to move towards the fulfillment your true self has always been striving for. In combination with other evidence-based interventions Connor is trained in, you’ll begin to recognize the differences between your own values and those that may have been imposed upon you; an increase in confidence and self-direction; a decreased desire to please others in a way that you lose yourself in the process; and an increase in coping skills and mechanisms to navigate life’s challenges.
Choose a Topic:
The Counselling Process
Pricing
individual: $150 +GST Couples: $180 + GST
Includes one 50-60 minute session, ongoing goal setting, and email support. A detailed receipt will be emailed to you after each session. Most extended health care benefits cover Registered Clinical Counsellors in British Columbia.
Sliding scale pricing is available, please visit the FAQ page for more information.
Sessions
Connor works holistically to address the areas of your life that may be contributing to your concerns.
The first sessions starts with an assessment and collaborative goal setting with Connor to create a plan to achieve your goals. Sessions are tailored to your needs, and move at a speed and frequency that is comfortable for you.
Diversity
Connor practices from a person-centred, intersectional lens, and works with people from all backgrounds and experiences. Connor does not view himself as an expert, but a co-facilitator to help you on your path to wellness.
Connor specializes in supporting members of the LGBTQI+ community striving to live their authentic lives.
Benefits
Counselling gives a chance for you to discuss your feelings, thoughts, relationships, and other aspects of life that prevent you from living to your fullest potential.
Counselling can lead to increased personal awareness, emotional growth, improved personal relationships, a change in unwanted behaviours, and an increase in coping mechanism tools to navigate life’s challenges.
Interventions
Person Centred Therapy
Person-centred therapy is a non-directive approach that allows clients to take the lead in the therapy room. During the process, clients are encouraged to discover their own solutions that align with their authentic selves. Those seeking to gain more self-confidence, a stronger sense of identity, struggling with interpersonal relationships, and those seeking to trust their decisions will benefit from person-centred therapy. More information on Person-Centred Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on solutions, while encouraging clients to challenge unhelpful thoughts and ultimately shift patterns of behaviour contributing to their concerns. CBT helps to identify harmful thoughts and assess whether they align with reality, if not, strategies are used to challenge and overcome these patterns. CBT is effective in addressing concerns of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief and loss, and stress. More information on CBT.
Gottman Couples Therapy
The Gottman Method is a highly researched and structured approach to couples and relationship counselling. It is built upon research showing how negative experiences impact the brain. Therefore, unless clients take steps to counteract this negativity couples tend to grow apart emotionally. It focuses on developing understanding and skills so partners can maintain fondness and admiration, have each others’ needs met, manage conflict, and enact their dreams. More information on the Gottman Method.
Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
EMDR is a nontraditional intervention designed to diminish negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. It focuses on the disturbing emotions and the symptoms that result from traumatic events, and less on the actual incident. The goal of EMDR is to help clients fully process negative feelings, and begin to recognize that they no longer serve a helpful purpose. EMDR can be used to address symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other life stressors. More information on EMDR.
Mindfulness Based Therapy
Mindfulness based therapy (MBT) incorporates and teaches practices like meditation and breathing exercises with other interventions. The approach teaches clients to recognize and halt negative thought patterns that can cause a spiral into a negative emotional states. Ultimately clients will be able to take a proactive approach in managing their troubling feelings before they become debilitating. MBT is helpful for clients with recurring symptoms of depression and anxiety. More information on MBT.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) provides clients with skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. The approach helps clients who are looking to improve their skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress and negative emotions, be mindful in the present, and to communicate effectively with others. DBT is effective in mitigating symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders. More information on DBT.
Career Counselling
Connor takes a holistic view towards career counselling, and is currently developing a comprehensive approach in the form of a Career Counselling Package. This package will include an allocated number of sessions, formal career assessments, on-going email support, and a final written report. The final report will outline preferences for career environments and skills-sets, personality preferences, and pathways to help you achieve your career goals. Please check back soon for more information and availability.
Connor as a person
Connor strongly believes it is important that you know more about himself than his degrees and qualifications as this deepens the relationship he hopes to build with you as his client.
He has made Vancouver home for the past 12-years, and was drawn to the area because it combines his two favourite environments: the coast and the mountains. Prior to Vancouver, Connor was born and raised in Calgary Alberta, and lived in Antigonish Nova Scotia while he completed his undergraduate degree. Having lived in three provinces, Connor has had the privilege of meeting a slice of the diversity that makes up Canada, and he uses this exposure throughout his personal and professional life.
Travelling is also a favourite pass-time Connor engages with when he has the time. Whether it’s road-trips around BC and the Pacific Northwest or adventures in far off places, travel allows Connor to gain insight on the diversity of cultures, people, and new experiences that add to his personal growth and development. He even had the opportunity to live in Australia as an exchange student while completing his undergraduate degree, and has since visited over 20 countries across the world.
In his spare time, Connor enjoys taking advantage of what the Vancouver area has to offer. He loves to explore the coastal mountains with his dog Charlie, soak up the sun on Third Beach during hot summer days, bike around the city, enjoy a pint at a craft brewery, and unwinding with Netflix.
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