Psychotherapy and Counselling for Adults – Individual and Couples

People often come to my practise in Kitsilano, Vancouver, B.C. with some experience of disconnection and confusion within themselves and their relationships. Perhaps an event or personal challenge has led to doubts and uncertainties about how to feel; think; express themselves or relate to others; or simply how to “BE”.

My name is Judith Beale and I’ve provided Psychotherapy and Counselling to hundreds of men and women over the past two decades. Many have experienced enduring and life altering positive changes due to the therapeutic process.

I am a licensed Registered Psychologist with the B.C. College of Psychologists and have extensive training and expertise in Private Practise and Community Agency settings. I agree with psychotherapy research findings which report: many components of psychotherapy contribute to lasting positive changes – not least of which is the strength of connection, and the creation of trust between the psychotherapist and her client – regardless of the approaches used. It is essential to choose the right Psychologist to work with, for you.

My Approach/Perspective is rooted in Relational and Psychodynamic/Analytic theories which have a solid history and continue to evolve with contemporary ideas and research. These theories are also supported by a growing body of well documented evidence based findings. See “The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy” by Jonathan Shelder PhD, American Psychologist in Press APA journal.

Problems We Address

Many people identify their problems with these familiar terms and mental health labels:

• Low Self-esteem
• Depression
• Grief
• Panic Attacks / Anxiety
• Guilt
• Anger Issues
• Intimacy Problems
• Infidelity
• Relationship Conflict

See links to Treatment Issues; Bio and Approaches

Together clients and I discover so much more about their problems when not restricted to terms and labels that have been “applied” to them. Although relief from painful symptoms must be a part of any treatment process, these frequently are indicative of a need for more understanding of ones overall life experiences- the health of their relationships- and their own personal or inner self. When space is created to safely explore, one can begin to describe and formulate what is going in plain English:

• I don’t know myself anymore
• My spouse and I are strangers to each other
• I can’t stand up for myself
• I can’t open up to people
• I don’t feel like I fit in anywhere
• I feel like I’m falling apart at the seams
• I’m afraid of conflict and avoid these situations
• I have a false feeling about myself and am overly agreeable
• I feel fractured and can’t think and I don’t know what I’m feeling

Positive Changes We Strive For

In addition to moving beyond painful problems and repetitive disappointing patterns therapy can contribute to the emergence of something new that coheres and unifies ones self and relationships. This respects the person as a whole and where appropriate and mutually agreed upon, therapy can help integrate a sense of self that has felt fragmented and disconnected. With this in mind, mental health and wellness become more about developing capacities and flexibility with life’s challenges rather then symptom relief alone. Our lives as Human Beings are complex and there are no simple solutions to complex problems. I believe that enduring change or growth occurs when we are regarded as whole, unique persons with creative and expressive potential.

Registered Psychologists, Counsellors and Therapists in Vancouver offer a variety of approaches to treating problems. Although my overall perspective is Relational and Psychodynamic/Analytic, I integrate many other well established approaches to address the unique needs of the individual or couple.

I have heard many descriptions of positive outcomes in working with individuals and couples, and although varied and unique for each person – some general themes include.

• Feeling like a weight has been lifted
• Able to breathe easier
• Wanting to get on with life again and try new things
• Being excited about life and the future
• Feeling more solid or grounded
• Enjoying people again
• A sense of clarity and purpose to life
• Feeling a mixture of apprehension and excitement
• Feeling intensely at times but not overwhelmed or terrified

Many clients leave therapy with an experience of coherence and a greater tolerance for disruptions in life. Therapy doesn’t necessarily make everything easier – in fact the process may be challenging and painful at times. What can develop in therapy and beyond, is an ever increasing capacity to tolerate feelings and conflicts across a wider range of life experiences and to be able to think about what these mean to you before acting. This also opens space to explore more deeply life experiences and how they are affecting you. Without being able to do this we fall into long standing problem patterns such as avoidance strategies, self numbing, self medicating of feelings; or knee jerk reactions and decisions.

Many clients don’t fall to pieces so easily after being in therapy. They may not be as fearful to explore their own ways of thinking and other inner experiences, needs and desires, nor be as frightened or avoidant of new situations. Some describe feelings they’ve rarely had in their past such as:

• Calm
• Vitality
• Enthusiasm
• Sexual desire
• Passion
• Creativity
• Optimism
• Trust
• Safety

Given the uniqueness of every individual, situation and therapist, these outcomes are possibilities and not guarantees. I invite you to contact me or by phone at 604 224-6236, to discuss your situation with the assurance of privacy and confidentiality.

Judith Beale, M.A.
Registered Psychologist, Vancouver, “Kitsilano” B.C.
C.P.B.C. 1612