What is your job title?
My official title is Concurrent Disorders Clinician, though I am usually referred to as a therapist. I work within Wellness Counselling and Therapy Services in the Mental Health and Addictions Services of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

What do you do?
I work directly with people who are seeking support around personal concerns in the areas of mental health or addictions.

How do people usually come to see you?
People can self-refer to Mental Health and Addictions Services by contacting us directly at 604-698-5861. Others are referred to our services by their doctor or by emergency health services.

Initially, everyone will meet with an intake nurse in order to get a better sense of what their current needs are. Following that meeting, the person will be directed to the appropriate services, either within VCH or within the community. Those people who would be best served by our therapy services are referred to me.

What kinds of things do you do for them?
The lovely thing about therapy services is that we’re able to work together to identify goals and a particular focus for the sessions. People come into therapy for a wide range of issues, and depending on their concerns we may choose to focus on different areas of wellbeing. Some people are interested in understanding how current dynamics have been influenced by past experiences, others are focused on developing strategies to respond to immediate needs, others may primarily require a space to reflect on challenges out loud with someone listening so that they can then move towards their own solutions. There is no set agenda for this work and so it is able to remain very client directed.

In addition to individual work, the team offers groups that are open to clients of our services. I am currently offering a weekly meditation group and a weekly mindful yoga class. Some people may choose to come into mental health services to attend only group programming, and not access individual services at all. The wonderful thing about working in a small community and with a small team is that we’re able to respond to individual needs and to try to find the right fit for those who are requiring support.

What is the best thing about your job?
It is a privilege to get to work with people who are courageously acknowledging their vulnerabilities and their need for support. It is so common for us to try to hide our difficulties or to avoid asking for help when we need it. Getting to spend so much time within a context of honesty teaches me constantly.

How can people contact you?
People can contact our intake line at 604-698-5861. When you contact that line a brief phone assessment will be done and then an initial meeting with a nurse will be scheduled. In this initial meeting the goal is to learn more about your current situation and what types of supports are needed so that you can be referred to the best service for your needs.

What does ‘wellness’ mean to you?
For me, wellness describes our overall wellbeing. Things like stress level, community connection and relationships, food and exercise. The exact blend and focus will be different for everyone, but I would describe it as feeling a sense of life balance. We all get thrown off balance, but wellness practices help to trust that shaky times will pass and that we will come back to our centre.

Is there anything you try and do on a daily basis, as a daily practice or habit or ritual, to keep grounded and healthy yourself?
I try to meditate every morning. It helps me to come back to myself daily. I am a huge fan of daydreaming and wandering thoughts, so if I drop down before I get going into the world then it keeps me from getting too far off track.
My dog is great at getting me out for at least a couple of walks a day. He is especially helpful in January when I would never walk daily otherwise.

What, if you could boil it down, would be the single most important or effective thing someone can do to choose a path of wellness?
I’d suggest ensuring that the plan, whatever it is, is a good fit for our life and obligations. So often we come up with beautiful lofty goals in terms of wellness that are not realistic. Unfortunately, then we just add a layer of feeling like a failure onto ourselves. Any regular practice is beneficial, it could be a commitment to pausing to take three deep breaths a day, or to sit and enjoy a hot beverage a few times a week, or listening to a favourite song daily. Whatever the commitment, it is most important that it is attainable and not a risk of becoming an excuse to criticize ourselves.

What do you wish our communities had more of?
I hear a lot of people describe feeling isolated and alone in the area. I don’t know exactly what type of community space or organizing would help to increase a feeling of inclusion, but it does seem to be a common struggle.

Can you share an inspiring quote or piece of art?
I love Mary Oliver’s poetry. This is one of my favourites.

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

Mary Oliver