Confidential Counselling for Individuals and Couples

Provider of in-person Counselling on the Sunshine Coast (Gibsons) and online across Canada.

It’s all about renewal. All of us have life crises. All of us experience some level of depression, anxiety, low esteem or grief at some time. Most of us struggle with the meaning and purpose of life. It is not easy being a thinking, feeling, spiritual creature. Mental health issues deserve treatment, just as you would see a doctor for a physical health issue. You have made a first step toward renewing balance and stewardship of your life.

My experience as an individual and a therapist has shown me that as we enable an accepting, compassionate, and curious relationship with our emotions and behaviours, we promote a non-judgemental view of ourselves and others. We become agents of our own healing. We steer our ship with calmer and clearer vision, even when the seas are tossing and turning.

My pledge is to earn your trust by providing a safe and accepting counselling environment. I promise to be there with you and for you. I believe that everyone has the capacity for renewal within them. My role is to help you find your healing resources, make the changes you desire, and find your way through difficult times to renewal.

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counselling competencies and approach

I am a Certified Internal Family Systems Therapist. This somatically and mindfully grounded approach – aka “parts therapy” – puts you in the healer’s seat and provides skills for lifelong mental health. Depending on the client’s needs, I may also employ elements of:

  • person-centred therapy: to enhance self-understanding and manage crises
  • somatic awareness and mindfulness practice
  • cognitive behavioural therapy: helpful for self-understanding and course corrections
  • motivational enhancement therapy: primarily for addictions
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples: assists couples to renew trust and connection

I ASSIST WITH:

  • Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger
  • Substance and behavioural addictions
  • Grief and loss
  • Relationships (couples counselling)
  • Acute stress, life crisis
  • Search for meaning

I believe most mental health issues – anxiety, depression, addiction, psychosis – are responses to injury from trauma, attachment wounds and just being an intelligent creature on this planet. Hence, I have adopted a somatic- and mindfulness-informed IFS practice that is directed at deep healing. My work with couples is aimed at enabling partners to become agents of their own and the other’s healing, through the repair of attachment bonds.

My person-centred use of these therapies recognizes that humans are thinking, feeling, spiritual, social and political beings. Our lives matter. The world we live in shapes us.

About Michael

I began my working life as a forester. I was driven by love of planet and a dream of managing healthy forest landscapes. I became discouraged by the way forests were mismanaged. My fascination with people and cultures led me to a Doctorate in Religious and Cross-cultural Studies and a teaching/research career.

When I asked myself, “What do I want to do with the remainder of my working life,” the answer was obvious. I want to help people and planet, drawing on a lifetime of varied experience and exposure to people from all walks of life. I believe that renewal and wholeness involve compassionate self-understanding, connecting to others and to the infinite splendor of the universe. In addition to this counselling practice, I created the Centre for Healthy Internet Use. Excessive time spent in virtual worlds weakens connections with people and the natural world from which we came. There is growing evidence for what we have known all along, exposure to natural settings reduces stress and restores mind and spirit. My practice combines passions for people and planet.

contact and Fees

Renewal Counselling provides in-person counselling in Gibsons, and online across Canada, using a secure platform designed for health care practice.

Address: 441 Marine Drive, Gibsons, BC V0N1V0

Phone: 778 508-9559 (British Columbia)
Email: michael@renewalcounselling.net

individual Sessions – 50 minutes – fee $110

couples counselling sessions – 65 minutes – Fee $130

Payments may be made via PayPal or credit card on this website, by e-transfer to michael@renewalcounselling.net or by credit card or debit card at in-person appointments. A fee may be charged for appointments that are not cancelled 48 hours in advance.

To book an appointment, please phone or email Michael. I offer free, 20-minute consultations, if you would like to talk before booking an appointment.

Online Counselling Payment via PayPal

To pay by credit card you do not need your own PayPal account.

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    Renewal Counselling