Counselling Insights

Vicki and MaryClaire Decker explore the significant link between menstrual cycles and emotional and mental health. MaryClaire describes using curiosity and mindfulness to support awareness and greater self-understanding, offering suggestions for intentionally planning counselling strategies to coincide with where a person is at in their cycle for greater growth and effectiveness. For more info on...

In this episode, Vicki gets into the details about AI and counselling with Candice Alder. They explore ways AI can be a positive resource and unpack some common missteps counsellors may take without AI literacy. Candice outlines some practical steps every counsellor should take to ensure their AI use is ethical and effective. This is part one of two conversations with Candice, and you can find the...

Vicki and Wilma Schroeder discuss a new CTRI workshop, De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Health Care Workers . They review de-escalation as primarily verbal intervention aimed at calming escalation before it becomes physical, and note violence in health care has increased dramatically since the pandemic. Wilma outlines challenges specific to health care, including patients arriving...

Once again, Vicki and  Joddie  sit down to explore a topic together. This time it’s the familiar concept of the wounded healer. They explore some variations of this idea, from  Carl Jung’s archetype to psychological links to vicarious trauma , and consider whether this is a strength or a hurdle to counsellor development. They also discuss an Indigenous authors’ view of  interconnection with healin...

For something a little different, Vicki and  Joddie  put their heads together to explore a topic new to each of them:  place attachment. They unpack the links with relationship attachment, building a sense of belonging, and identity formation. They each share strategies they found helpful that listeners can use for strengthening their overall wellness. For more resources in the areas of trauma, me...

Vicki and Hayley explore the magical world of Community and Social Circus. Hayley describes the unique opportunities that “circusing” provides for growing confidence, connection, and strength – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through stories of her own transformation alongside her peers , Hayley offers a creative peek into many parallels with counselling. These include increasing safety to...

Jolene and Vicki walk in a circle together, in their conversation about decolonizing ourselves and our helping work. Jolene unpacks colonization and decolonization so that listeners can see their own participation. Through ideas and stories, Jolene invites us all – whether Indigenous, non-Indigenous, [settler guest] https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/cpi/index.php/cpi/article/view/29452 ) – to s...

Jaicee returns for a second conversation about the exciting development of the Giwiidosendamin (we walk together) Certificate Program. Vicki learns about a heart-centred approach to training that starts with relationship to self, the land, and others, before getting into the hard topics of addiction, suicide, and grief. Together, they explore what collectivist training can be like. You can find mo...

In this special crossover episode, Vicki Enns joins the ACHIEVE Workplace Culture Podcast to explore what leaders can learn from the world of mental health and counselling. Together with co-hosts Eric Stutzman and Wendy Loewen , the conversation covers how therapeutic principles—like empathy, boundaries, and curiosity—can transform leadership and workplace culture. For more resources in the areas...

Vicki and Kathleen unpack what it means to consider autism through a trauma-informed lens. Kathleen shares specific examples of attuning to a person and really experiencing their language and way of expression. She shares key strategies for a relational approach that values the power of slowing down and building connection. She also highlights how this work can push us all to become the best versi...

Vicki and Sheri Coburn delve into the newly revised De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations workshop from CTRI. This cornerstone training features a four-step de-escalation process designed to equip participants with empowering tools to support others during episodes of escalated anger. Sheri highlights the importance of a trauma-informed approach within this process, emphasizing how it build...

Vicki and Krystel return for part 2 of their conversation on building multicultural skills into any counseling approach . In part 1, they explored cultural humility and intersectionality. Now in part 2, they continue with culturally relevant assessment and intervention, creating inclusive language, addressing systemic inequities, and cross-cultural training. For more resources in the areas of trau...

Vicki sits down with  Janelle Jackiw  to explore anger and  the new CTRI workshop  providing tools for counsellors. They unpack the power of anger as a natural and righteous emotion that can also leave big impacts. Janelle describes the importance of learning the story behind anger and the cyclical patterns that can leave people feeling out of control. She also provides several immediate and long-...

Vicki explores Patricia’s lifelong journey of self-discovery, highlighting how Patricia integrated the heart-centred wisdom and healing from her Indigenous ancestors into her own path. Patricia discusses balancing this with Western Eurocentric academic approaches to mental health, creating her unique method of “ carrying a toolbox and a bundle ” to support others. For more resources in the areas o...

Vicki and Kim McCabe explore Kim’s passion project, Rites for Girls , which is changing the world one girl at a time by supporting the rite of passage into puberty with safety and connection. Kim shares stories of girls becoming true to themselves through ongoing groups and deepened connection with the adult women around them. She describes her passion for inspiring women and supporting parents to...

Vicki sits down with Dr. Lorre Laws to explore her passionate pursuit of understanding what really can help restore and heal nurses and other healers from the unresolved trauma from their work. They unpack how these unhealed “bits of wisdom” can guide healers to develop their own Innate Care Plan, as described fully in her new book . Dr. Lorre also gives examples of micro-practices as short as 10...

Vicki sits down with Manitoba Blue Cross Manager, Leader, and Therapist Jodie Voth to explore blending clinical and leadership skills to foster organizational wellness. They discuss common signs of burnout and key steps for avoiding the deep end of the “burnout pond.” Jodie describes her favourite strategies for both individuals and teams to build resilience and sustainable wellness. And she share...

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 activi...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 m...

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...