Justice Schanfarber Counselling, Campbell River, BC

Why Counselling? People come to counselling for two reasons. Either there’s an immediate issue – something has come to a head and it needs to be dealt with NOW (relationship breakdown, sudden loss or other crisis) – or there’s an ongoing issue that is interfering with happiness (conflict in a marriage or family, depression/anxiety, sexual issues, a dilemma or difficult decision, grief, trauma, abuse, or even something not fully nameable that lies just below the surface and keeps a person from feeling fully happy or comfortable in their own skin).
For an immediate issue I help the client calm down and get their bearings, then together we assess the problem and identify appropriate action. Sometimes the issue is resolved fairly quickly and the counselling is brief. Other times deeper issues emerge that the client may want to address.
For an ongoing issue the process is usually longer and the work goes deeper, with an emphasis on identifying and transforming old patterns and unconscious beliefs.
In either case, I take a collaborative approach with my clients. We explore possibilities together, with me acting as a compassionate guide and ally. Ultimately the insight and change comes from the client’s own experience.
While women are sometimes assumed to be more comfortable with exploring feelings in counselling, I’ve worked extensively with men too, developing effective approaches that align with the modern male psyche.
I’m respectful of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and lifestyles. I’ve helped Christians, Muslims, Atheists, self-proclaimed rednecks and hippies of all political stripes, professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, single moms and dads, individuals and couples who are straight, gay, and everything in between, mixed families and so on.
If you’re willing to show up and be real, I will respect you for who you are and be an ally for who you want to become.
Confidentiality is assured.