John Woychuk

When looking for the right therapist, it’s a fair to ask, “What is my counsellor bringing to my therapy?”

Here are six key things that I bring to support you in as your journey towards healing and wellness. If this resonates with you, I hope you will reach out connect with me to book a no-fee consultation.

Non-judgemental listening

                You get to speak and be heard and seen for who you are and where you are. Not only is it incredibly validating and healing to be heard and seen without judgement or reaction, the way in which I hear you without judgement provides a model for you to hear and see yourself. This will be made explicit in our time together. When you learn to see yourself without judgement the rest of life is much easier to cope with.

Empathy and compassion

                My intention is for you to feel the power of empathy through being understood. In our counselling time together, empathy comes through an effort to understand you through deep listening and clarifying as well as communicating accurate understanding back to you. Compassion follows empathy and you will feel compassion in our relationship through my continuous care and concern for your wellbeing. 

Openness and curiosity to learn about you

                I do not assume I know what is happening for you or that I have the answers. Through openness and curiosity, we will collaboratively explore what is happening for you and what solutions might work best for you. Openness and curiosity is a practice that will be made explicit in your therapy with the chance to practice it for yourself. When you know it’s okay not to have all the answers, you become more tolerant to uncertainty and more open to new perspectives and solutions.        

Authenticity and direct feedback

                I often hear clients say that a previous therapist they worked with listened, but didn’t give them enough direction or feedback. I believe that being authentic in a relationship means giving feedback even when the feedback is challenging. Direct feedback is important as the therapeutic relationship can in many ways emulate how you interact in other relationships. Hearing feedback can help you form new perspectives and commit to making changes.

Tailored approach to treatment

                I have not met two people who needed the exact same treatment plan. I believe in working collaboratively with you to identify your goals as well as how it works best for you to reach your goals. I bring my full presence and experience with a variety of counselling approaches and you bring your expertise in what works for you – between the two, we will find a treatment plan to meet your needs.

Body, mind and spirit approach

                Therapy is about the mind, but it’s impossible to separate our thoughts and beliefs from the way they interact with our physical responses, emotions and behaviors. Most people do not want to feel physical pain or negative emotions – that is natural. But in the pursuit of suppressing or numbing unwanted feelings a number of problems emerge. In our work together, I will support you in re-establishing a connection with your body by learning that negative feelings and pain can be allowed. When you learn to allow yourself to feel what is happening in the body, layers of resistance and avoidance slowly begin to drop and there is immediate relief in this act.

I invite you to bring in your own spiritual truth or perhaps spiritual questions into your therapy if you would like to. Difficult times can make you more open to exploring what spirituality means to you and it can be an enriching and meaningful part of your healing and growth.