Therapy

Who I work with

In my therapy practice which is primarily in Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island as well as on Gabriola Island, I work with both women and men providing help in a safe, nurturing, and accepting atmosphere. I have a general practice but specialize in working with clients with histories of childhood neglect, abuse and trauma. The effects of this early experience can be wide-ranging including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addictions, and problems with intimacy. Post-traumatic stress in adulthood can also follow upon childhood abuse and trauma.

My approach

I use a collaborative approach in which we work together to resolve the problems and issues that are standing in the way of you moving forward in your life as you would like to. Sometimes this is a matter of learning new skills, such as assertiveness or communication skills, or learning ways to deal with emotions. You may be repeating old patterns that you want to change; you may feel stuck. Sometimes you may need to unload 'baggage' from your past that you are still carrying around. This may be losses from last year or bad experiences from your childhood - in either case, unless dealt with, they can continue to affect you years later in the form of low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. You may also have problems due to the fact that you missed out on some important things in your early life.

In therapy, we can look at concerns in your life today, and also delve deeper to resolve the roots of these problems in your past. Work in the past is always in the service of the present and future. Clarifying what you want in your future can provide you with a vision that can pull you forward into that picture. What we do in your therapy depends upon your particular situation and goals. Some of my broad goals for clients may include:

empowerment
the strengthening and expanding of resources including skills
the deepening of self-awareness
the healing of wounds
feeling good about yourself

I see our relationship as being an important part of your therapy, and so I listen carefully with both my head and my heart. I am concerned to pay attention to any young parts of yourself that may have needs to be addressed. And while what you say is very important, if you simply talk about a problem, it is likely that nothing will change. So I like to work in ways that have been found to be particularly effective at facilitating healing and growth. One such method is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which is remarkable for its ability to move disturbing memories into the past so they no longer affect you. I like how focused it is, and how it brings together the images, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations of your experience.

Secondly, I base therapy in the Developing a Secure Self approach and often draw on Imaginal Nurturing to facilitate new experiences if your early relationships were inadequate. This is an approach based on attachment theory that I have developed and taught to hundreds of other therapists. Check out the links to the left for more information about these methods.

I also share with some clients Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) which, like acupuncture, are based on energy meridians. These quick techniques can be very effective in a number of ways. Sometimes I incorporate art therapy into my work. In all of these approaches, you move towards a balance between the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of your being.

One of the things that I find most interesting and important in therapy is exploring what your experience means for you. This process can lead to the discovery of previously unknown riches within you and a new and deeper level of self-awareness. A word which comes up often for me in my work is 'honouring': honouring your feelings, the child you were, and the unique individual you are today. This is part of developing a new relationship with your self.

How long will it take?

It is understandable to want to know how long it will take to reach your goals in therapy. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. Sometimes people come in with funding for a limited number of sessions. In such a case, we tailor the goals accordingly. It depends on what you are wanting. Some clients want simply to learn some new skills; others want to get to the bottom of their low self-esteem and make major changes. It depends on your history. If your childhood left you with many wounds, the healing will take time. Your current situation is also important. If you are in crisis at the moment, then that needs to be addressed first. We are not able to work with past trauma until you are safe in the present. My ultimate aim is for you to meet your goals and finish therapy. One of the reasons I like both EMDR trauma work and Developing a Secure Self is that they facilitate healing in a more focused and time-efficient manner than traditional talk therapy.

Short-term intensive therapy

In some cases, I am able to work with some individuals who come from another region, province, or country for a short period. Sessions can be arranged to meet your time-frame, such as double sessions over a number of consecutive days. Much can be accomplished in such short-term work and suggestions can be made for incorporating the gains into work done with your regular therapist if you have one.

Structure and fees

My current schedule is that I see clients in Nanaimo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Mondays and Thursdays, I see clients on Gabriola. You may telephone me at 250-753-2027 or email me at april@april-steele.ca to make an appointment. If you telephone, you will likely get an answering machine. Please leave your name and a good time to reach you, and I shall return your call promptly (usually within a few hours). In the unlikely event that you do not hear from me within 24 hours (weekends excepted), please call again. It is possible your number did not come through clearly.

I find that one hour sessions work well for most people. Longer sessions can be arranged if desired. When starting therapy, weekly sessions usually are optimal if finances permit (although in some cases twice a week is preferable). Every other week is also workable with most clients. It is difficult to keep the momentum going if therapy is less frequent than that unless you are finishing up. I accept out-of-hours emergency phone calls from clients I am working with. These are not therapy sessions, but rather are to help you cope with the crisis at hand until we next meet.

My current fee is $105 (including HST) for 60 minutes. A sliding scale may be available if you are unable to afford the regular fee. (Please note that all sliding scale slots are currently filled.) A minimum of forty-eight hours' notice is requested for cancellation. If you are unable to come in for your appointment, it may be possible to have the session by phone. Full fee is charged for "no shows." Payment of fees is due at the time of the session and may be made by cheque or cash. In some cases, extended medical coverage may cover some or all of the costs.

Locations

My office is at 211-55 Victoria Road in Nanaimo. I also work on Gabriola Island. Directions for my Gabriola office will be given when we arrange an appointment.

Directions for my Nanaimo office

If you are coming from south of Nanaimo on Nichol Street (the old highway #1), turn left at the lights at Milton Street. (There is a McDonald's on the right side of Nichol at that intersection.) From Milton, take the first right which is Victoria Road.

If you are coming from the north on the "new" highway (#19), follow the signs to the city centre (left at the second Jingle Pot exit). Jingle Pot turns into Third which turns into Fitzwilliam. Turn right onto Milton Street (RCMP and fire station at that intersection). Go several blocks to the lights which is Victoria Road and turn left.

55 Victoria is on the right hand side at the top of the hill. There is 2-hour free parking on the street. Enter to the second level by the ramp. Suite 211 is down the hall to your left. Please walk in to the waiting room.

The phone number is 250-753-2027.