Introduction

If you are reading this, it means you might be considering counselling. I am excited for you! But first, it is important to find a counsellor you think you’ll fit with. I am graduate of Naropa University Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling program. This program allowed me to learn healing practices from both Eastern and Western traditions. Before going to Naropa, I received my degree in psychology at the University of Victoria, Canada. For 7 years I have been supporting others in field of mental health. In addition to working at Natural Balance Health I also work in the community as a Crisis Response Counsellor.

My areas of focus have been anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and addictions. I use various counseling modalities including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Mindfulness-based therapies. I see counseling as a collaborative process, that is client centered overall, and believe that therapy offers a chance to heal, grow, and excel in life. I am passionate about helping people see their strengths and recover from limiting beliefs that are often a result of the minor or major traumas that are a part of life. I view symptoms and undesired behaviours as wise, but outdated, adaptations that can be transformed. Befriending our mind and finding self acceptance are key tenets that influence my therapy. With a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, I strive to provide a safe, curious, and humorous (at times), space to do the work. When not counselling, you can find me in nature, improv acting, playing guitar, meditating, physical training, or spending time with those close to me.

Philosophy

I see counselling as a process of integration. Integration means the differentiation and linking of different elements to create a balanced, cohesive whole. Or in other words, a functioning system, that operates best when its parts are individuated and interconnected. Like ecosystems and cells, humans (and our minds) are systems too! How our many parts interact, such as our emotions, behaviours, and core beliefs, will determine our overall state of welfare and ability to thrive. Therapy provides an opportunity to pay attention differently to our system. This process has an organizing effect, resulting in increased harmony within ourselves and between others and our environment. This is integration. Our brains, and consequently our actions, are always changing because where ever attention goes, energy flows, creating new neural connections. Through therapy, a process of assisted self-study, your brain and body-stance will change, and become integrated, as we mindfully explore how the many parts of your system are organized around experiences of self, others, and the world.

What is Counselling

If it’s your first time getting into counselling, there can be a lot of uncertainty about what to expect. For instance, counselling can come in many forms: couples, individuals, groups, etc. As well as many styles: psychodynamic, mindfulness-based, solution focused. What makes all these styles and forms therapeutic and which should you choose? The good news is there is common thread between them all. Much like how all different exercises styles move us towards the goal of getting fit and healthy, all different counselling styles all help move us towards the goal of health and wellbeing. That is because all counselling styles allow us to understand ourselves in relationship to self, others, and the world, and provides space to heal the wounds of our past. The integration of these experiences, knowledge, and skills from counselling, leads to more adaptability, compassion, and agency to make life affirming choices. However, each person is unique and may prefer some modalities over others. So, it is a process of discovering what’s best for you. For this reason, I like to draw from multiple philosophies and methods to best serve the needs of the client. Whether you are on the top of your game or hitting a low point, I believe almost anyone can benefit from the counselling process. Like a mosaic, each person carries with them different parts to their identity: ethnicity, religion, gender, socio-economic states, sexuality, able-bodiedness and more. Unfortunately, living within a society that favours a dominant race or culture, minorities often face barriers such as discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion that others are do not. Knowing that, I am committed to providing a safe place where all parts of your identity are welcomed. Though I have blind spots and privileges, being a white, heterosexual, male, my intention is to share an awareness of the systems of power, how they influence us differently based on our social locations, and will welcome this topic into the course of therapy if the client desires.

Services Offered

Initial Consult (20 minutes) Free Intake Session (80 minutes) $180.00 Individual Counselling Session (50 minutes) $120.00

Sean is at the downtown location Monday’s and Fridays and at his Langford location on Tuesdays

Contact Sean with questions or to schedule a consult by email at seanscott@integrationpsychotherapy.com

Sean acknowledges that the Greater Victoria region stand on the lands of Lkwungen People, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations communities

Introduction If you are reading this, it means you might be considering counselling. I am excite... Read More