Issues
Sandra assess behavioural, mental and emotional functioning, looks at family, social and environmental factors and provides effective evidence-based treatments across a range of conditions and emotional disorders.
Abuse
Abuse leaves an invisible scar that can last a lifetime. Abuse come is in many forms and can be found in many contexts. People can experience all forms of abuse at home, in the workplace, in the community, and in cyberspace. Sandra has extensive training in treating abused and abusers. Adults, youth and children can benefit from counselling after leaving a situation of abuse. Sandra works with clients effected by:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Cyber Bullying
- Teen-Relationship/dating violence
- Workplace violence/harassment
- Domestic Violence
- Intimate Partner Violence
Anxiety Disorders
Worry and stress are part of our busy lives today. This stress can become an anxiety disorder when the symptoms continue for a long period of time and interfere with our ability to function on a daily bases. Symptoms of chronic anxiety can include: concentration issues, stomach aches and tightness, troubles swallowing, quickened heartbeat, tight chest, shortness of breath, irrational fears, worry, confusion, tension in muscles, headaches, loss of sleep, not getting to sleep, weakness in body, poor memory and other symptoms. Symptoms that are severe enough can cause feelings of discomfort and loss of control leading to feeling helpless. Anxiety disorders fall into separate categories:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder with panic attacks
- Social phobia/social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Mood Disorders
Mood disturbances occur in much of the population and it does not have to control your life. Clinical mood disorders can leave a person feeling sad and depressed or experiencing extreme highs and lows for weeks or months. These feelings are often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, low energy, taking little or no pleasure in activities that once gave joy, and becoming disconnected and isolated from others. Depression has an effect on motivation, personal hygiene, relationships with others, and self-esteem. Depression effected individuals find it hard to do the simple things -- like eating, bathing, getting dressed or going to work. Sandra works closely with clients who are affected by:
- Depression
- Dysthymia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Post-Partum Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Coping With Life Issues
Sandra works to help clients learning new techniques to cope with life stressors. Counselling can help with:
- Learning assertiveness
- Managing behavioral issues
- Managing chronic pain or illness
- Increased communication skills
- Overcoming eating disorders
- Regulating emotional disturbances (Anger/Emotional management)
- Grief, bereavement, loss
- Life coaching for work and home
- Self-esteem building
- Family management
- Reducing self-harming behaviours
- Improving sleep or insomnia
- Stress management
- Workplace bullying and stress
Family & Relationship Issues
Sandra works closely with individuals, couples and families to help implement good boundaries, improve communication, relate on a respectful level, have people’s needs expressed and met, repair relationship and move forward from past hurts. Sandra helps people with:
- Pre-marriage coaching
- Couples, marital, mental health issues with a partner
- After affairs, reconciliation
- Coping with having an affair
- Separation, divorce, parenting after separation
- Blending families, parenting
- Conflicts with child or teen
- Reducing sibling rivalry
- Domestic violence treatment
- Transitions with disabled or ageing family members
Legal Issues
Sandra is experienced in and offers counselling support for individuals facing criminal charges, going to court or mentally and emotionally preparing for a jail term. This can be a very stressful time and learning coping tools and strategies will help ease the anxiety and depression that may occur. Sandra can offer support at an individual, couple or family level for issues related to:
- Being charged
- Going to court
- Going to jail
Sexuality
Finding a safe therapeutic relationship to discuss private intimate issues is very important. Sandra is very comfortable discussing sexuality concerns that a child, youth or adults may have. Sandra helps clients struggling with:
- Bisexual Issues
- Lesbian Issues
- Gay Issues
- Transsexual Issues
- Marital sexual issues