Things to Know During COVID-19

 

Updates regarding my counselling service, plus information and resources helpful during these challenging times

Office Hours

Monday—Saturday: 10:00 am—7:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Other times are also available, though by request only. So if an earlier or later time works better for you, please contact me. I’m here for you.

In-Person Sessions (with Safety Protocols) Available Fridays & Saturdays

Counselling Sessions by Online Video Calls & Phone

While in-person counselling sessions are temporarily suspended until further notice, counselling is available by phone and online video calls. At this time, more than ever, it’s important to maintain connections and to reach out for help when you need it.

None of us have had to deal with so many big things at once on such a large scale. And there’s bound to be feelings and emotions that come up. There can be good days when you’re feeling strong and bad days when it’s hard to stay positive. Know that you’re not alone. Whatever your feeling, others are too.  Never have the words “we’re in this together” been more true. I’m here for you.

Online video counselling sessions are compliant with privacy legislation and the next best thing to in-person ones. Seeing each other in a real-time video, we’re able to see facial expressions and body language. The connection is real. And now while we’re following “social distancing” requirements, in isolation or quarantined, connection is more important than ever.

I’m using Zoom as the tool for online sessions. There’s no need to download the app as there is also an option to stream in your browser. In your email and text session reminders, there will be an ID number made up of 9 digits that you will click to launch the video session. You will need to activate your audio and camera. If you have any issues please call me and we can talk through it or continue over the phone.

To schedule a session, click the yellow “Contact” button at the bottom of your screen. Or to contact me with questions, you can reach me via the online form here.

Considering Counselling with Liz for the First Time?

We have New Client options. When booking for the first time you may choose a standard session or one of these introductory options:

  • a 15-minute, free phone or online video consultation, or
  • a "Try It Out" 30-minute phone counselling session for $30.

To book your introductory consultation, click on the Schedule Now button in the lower right of your screen, and select New Client Options.

Tips for Social Distancing, Uncertainty & Self-Isolation

How is the Public Health Emergency Affecting You?

I’m noticing that I have to step up my self-care, to stay calm and centered during this situation. It makes sense, given the level of uncertainty in the world at this moment. And… taking the time to do the things that help nourish me is definitely helping me show up steadily during this time.

Many people are feeling a sense of grief; for the way their life used to be, for the disruption to their routines and every-day life, for a lack of connection while isolated, and even grief for what hasn’t happened yet. That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief is an excellent article about the feelings of grief at this time, the connection to anxiety, and the stages of grief. Understanding those stages and allowing ourselves to feel the grief will serve us well, giving us the strength we need to move forward.

For Parents

In a Vancouver Sun Letter to the Editor, Matthew J. Dyck suggests parents adopt a super-hero approach to helping their children be resilient. This helps parents model good choices. And it’s fun to recruit your children to join your super-hero team!

Inspiration & Information

Whether you get your information and inspiration from real books, e-books, audiobooks, or videos, the works of these authors are especially inspiring during difficult times.

  1. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza—Learn more about all the unconscious things we think and do that keep us stuck.
  2. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön—Pema teaches how you to allow your feelings instead of resisting or numbing them.
  3. Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie—Learn how to accept and love the current moment. She has many books to choose from.
  4. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer—Becoming more conscious in your life. Or his other book Surrender Experiment.
  5. The Gifts of Imperfection / Braving the Wilderness / Daring Greatly by Brene Brown—Read any one of them and you’ll see why she’s on here.
  6. The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle—The title says it all.
  7. A Return To Love/The Law of Divine Compensation/A Year of Miracles by Marianne Williamson—Teaching over the decades how to move from fear-based thinking to a loving one.
  8. The State of Affairs by Esther Perel—Modern relationships are seen in a new and realistic light, flaws and all.
  9. It’s not always Depression by Hilary Jacob Hendel—Working with emotions and her own tool The Change Triangle.
  10. Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman—Successfully blending Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness