Counselling Insights

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 t...

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...

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...

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 shape...

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...

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 conversat...

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:...

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 She...

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 Cr...

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...

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 vi...

Vicki and Kelly Smith discuss the growing interest and research around psychedelic-assisted counselling . Kelly describes what a typical process is like for a client at Field Trip Health where she works, and notes important considerations for when this is a safe and beneficial choice for someone. Kelly suggests ways any counsellor can increase their knowledge and support clients who might be curio...

Vicki and International Association of Journal Writing Director Lynda Monk discuss the power of journaling both in a personal reflective practice and as a counselling resource. Lynda describes helpful structured steps for therapeutic journaling, as well as a range of ways to start journaling for burnout prevention and overall wellness. She also shares several helpful resources for people to get st...

Vicki explores the use of photovoice as a counselling technique with Briar Shulz , who describes five accessible ways to use photos and images in the counselling process. They unpack the importance of being cautious with this counselling technique because of the powerful ways images can facilitate a deepening of insight and expression. Briar also shares training suggestions for photovoice and her...

Vicki has a conversation with Krystel Salandanan , PsyD. They explore what a multicultural view of depression may look like and consider the example of “smiling depression.” Vicki and Krystel also discuss the role of the DSM and how it needs to be always evolving to be relevant. And Krystel offers guidelines for any counsellor to increase their capacity for a multicultural approach to understandin...

Vicki interviews elder, Louise McKay . They explore blending Western clinical counselling approaches with traditional Indigenous practices. Louise describes learning to listen differently, allowing oneself to be led by Spirit , embodying gifts we may not even know we have. And Louise offers suggestions for any counsellor to become more inclusive of an Indigenous worldview, embodying reconciliation...

Vicki interviews counsellor and trainer, Galya Chatterton . Together they explore the powerful impact of experiential work, and the importance of using presence to deepen therapy work while spending more time in positive experiences. Galya also gives helpful illustrations of slowing down to support unconscious emotions and beliefs to come into awareness, and we learn how skydiving helped shape her...

Vicki interviews Noela Crowe-Salazar – trainer, counsellor , author , and Kookum. They explore Noela’s life long learning for balancing Western mental health concepts alongside Indigenous teachings and views. Noela gives practical suggestions for decolonizing thinking and approaches in counselling. And together they reflect on the importance of conversation and relationship.

Vicki interviews counsellor, author , and trainer, Dr. Reece Malone . They discuss how sexual health contributes to overall mental health and how it links to one’s broader identity. Reece encourages all counsellors to consider the intersection between culture and sexuality, and to maintain an attitude of curiosity about life by continuing to ask, “Why?”

Vicki interviews counsellor and trainer, John Koop Harder . They explore how to get good questions flowing in counselling, and the central role values play in shaping counselling practices. John describes his shift in perspective to see the relationship with problems as the real problem in people’s lives. And he connects the dots among his grandparents’ influence, his role as a father, and the imp...

Vicki explores play therapy and supporting children with Tanya Hoover, a Registered Social Worker and Certified Play Therapist. They talk about the importance of being real in the counselling room, and the need for counsellors to connect with their own vulnerability. Tanya discusses her passion for attachment and emotional connection as foundations for supporting both children and the adults in th...

Vicki interviews Marwa Fadol , a Registered Psychologist and trainer with Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute. Vicki and Marwa explore Marwa’s journey into counselling, including her journey from refugee to psychologist, and the recurring theme of the importance of connection and relationship. Marwa discusses her key counselling insights, her evolving relationship with Imposter Syndrome, and th...

In this short episode, host Vicki Enns previews what this podcast is about and what you can expect for future episodes.