Counselling Approaches & Philosophy

"We do not see things as they are... we see things as we are." ~ Anais Nin

We often do more of the same to solve a problem even when it is not working. Sometimes it is about trusting yourself and allowing for new possibilities and a different way of being. Life is practice. We do the best we can and learn.

Counselling starts with your identified problem and ends with what you might be thinking, doing, or feeling differently once you've reached your goals. I aim to establish a genuine, trusting relationship with you during our work together. I enjoy working with a diversity of clients from all backgrounds and strive to create an inclusive and safe space for all.

I like to work collaboratively with clients with the belief that all of us have cracks which allow the light to shine within us. The most important factor in counselling is developing a trusting and effective relationship between the client and counsellor. My approach is conversational and empathic. I prefer to use plain language, rather than clinical jargon, and start with where the client is without judgment or assumptions.

Good counselling is about tuning in with the client and working collaboratively to enhance awareness, wisdom, and resources for change. Counselling can be effective, but may not be the entire solution for all problems. We often need more beyond counselling such as meaningful relationships, belonging and community. In addition, part of my practice as a social worker is to understand how we are influenced by broader economic and social contexts, culture and media on our personal identity and histories (such as gender, age, race, sexual orientation, income, family, etc).

Some approaches I use include:

- Mindfulness-Integrated CBT (MiCBT).
- Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD and couples.
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Cognitive Behavourial Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for depression.
- Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders for difficulty accepting and processing emotions.
- Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT skills) for interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
- Relapse Prevention Planning, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing for substance misuse and/or dependence.

I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

2012 Otto Lim