Kari-Ann Thor

A Bit About Käri-Ann:

I have had a part-time private counselling practice since 2003 and come from a history of Outdoor Education as my first career, followed by over 20 years working in the social service sector mostly as a child, youth and family worker. I moved into the study of counselling starting in the mid-90’s, earning a Counselling Practice Diploma, then an M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology from UBC, and certiification as an Existential Analyst from the Society of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis - GLE International.

I presently teach theory and skills at a Counselling Training College, do individual and group supervision, and I am a registered clinical counsellor and approved supervisor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.   Since, 2014, I am a trainer for a depth psychotherapy program with the Existential Analysis Society of Canada, CEAL-USA, GLE-UK-Vienna, and the University of Salzburg,

I treasure the opportunity to share some areas of life I am passionate about in both teaching, supervision, group facilitation, and also highly value the one-to-one therapeutic environment. Here it is such a privilege to hear people’s stories and to be in a position to offer compassion, support, and my sense of hopefulness that humans have a great capacity for development and growth.

My Approach to Counselling:

Most important in my style of counselling is to offer the client empathy, understanding, and non-judgment. I honour and respect each person’s singularity and uniqueness, and want to provide a place where the client can be more fully themselves. It takes courage to self-disclose, and it is foremost that the therapeutic space is safe, confidential, and cozy and that the counselling relationship is trusting, warm, and supportive. Sometimes, I may simply describe the type of therapy I offer as “Inside Work” and “Outside Work”. The former is the deeper emotional processing to help you understand yourself better, connect to your values, and access your will to live more authentically. The latter is about putting new decisions or ways of being into action...this includes adapting one’s thinking and changing one’s behaviours.

My Perspective on Counselling:

It is a process whereby some of the following may be fostered:

• renewed hope
• new perspectives
• wider range of choices
• change is facilitated
• goals can be focused
• expanded horizons
• uncovering of your strengths
• transformation happens

One may also...

• feel a range of feelings
• become more yourself while still considering others
• gain skills for living
• discover new strategies
• learn new ways to deal with life’s challenges
• feel inspired to move forward

I work with individuals, couples, and groups and some of my areas of focus are existential therapy, pet loss counselling, being in relationship with someone suffering in the narcissistic spectrum, and existential analysis training.