Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose.
- Author Unknown
ONLINE & IN-PERSON COUNSELLING AVAILABLE – Accepting New Clients!
Mary
Mary is a Certified Canadian Counsellor with over 32 years’ experience as a teacher and an elementary school counsellor. Mary obtained a teaching degree from University of British Columbia in 1991. In addition, she graduated with her Masters of Educational Psychology and Counselling from the University of Victoria in 2006. In addition to her career in the school system, Mary has worked for two years, in private practice, as a counsellor in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
Mary has her Intermediate III training in Somatic Experiencing. The Somatic Experiencing method is a body-oriented approach to healing the trauma and other stress disorders. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine. The SE approach releases traumatic shock, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma. This approach offers a framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight or freeze responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states. In addition to SE, Mary is able to offer EMDR therapy which is another effective tool that helps with traumas, phobias, anxiety and depression. She also considers herself “IFS Informed”, a therapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that focuses on getting to know our protective parts and our true, authentic SELF.
Mary’s private life is spent outside as much as possible, gardening and walking her dog in the woods. She also loves gardening, yoga and reading.
Mary can also be reached at therapy@kelownaonecounselling.ca!
Areas of Focus
Parenting Issues & Skill Development
Anxiety & Depression
Life Transitions
Trauma
Regulating Emotions
Coping and Communication Skills
Besides her extensive experience working with youth, Mary has worked with many adults who are struggling with grief and loss, divorce, anxiety, depression, addiction, and self-esteem issues. She does not do any couples counselling.
Mary’s Specializations Include:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Somatic Experiencing
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
Parenting Issues & Skill Development
Anxiety & Depression
“Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed”
Therapeutic Frameworks Utilized with Clients:
Mary is passionate about the importance of attachment in healthy human development and creating healthy families. In addition, she is skilled with helping individuals navigate their anxiety and depression. While using a variety of techniques as appropriate including Somatic Experiencing and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), she has a strong background in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for addressing faulty thinking habits and addressing anxiety. Mary knows that we are social beings and do best when we can be “in healthy relationships with others”. She sees life as a journey, filled with opportunities to grow and become our best selves. She believes that all people are capable of growth and healing, and that we all have the resources we need within ourselves. For her, working with a counsellor means letting someone guide you to find your way if you are stuck.
Education/Credentials and Recent Professional Work Experience:
Masters of Educational Psychology and Counselling
University of Victoria (2006)
Teaching degree
University of British Columbia (1991)
32 years experience as a teacher and an elementary school counsellor
Has worked as a counsellor in Kelowna in private practice
Mary can be reached at therapy@kelownaonecounselling.ca or book a session with her with the link below.