Practice information:

Ray Freed is a registered counsellor who sees clients at his two Vancouver offices:  16th and Dunbar, and Howe and Helmcken.

Ray has over thirty years experience counselling in the areas of social work, mental health and addictions. Most recently, he worked for twenty two ( 22 )  years as an addictions counsellor with West Coast Alternatives in North Vancouver. In 2012 he moved out of the agency environment into private practice. As well as continuing to provide service to people struggling with alcohol and drug issues he now includes gambling,sexual addiction and  ICT ( information and communication trchnologies ) in his area of practice.  Where appropriate, Ray also works with adults in the general population who are experiencing personal and relationship challenges.

Ray has witnessed again and again, the resilience and courage of people struggling with challenging life concerns. All human beings have a tendency to draw back from pain, seeking safety and relief in immobility, and avoidance. It's the gentle presence that encourages movement; eyes opening to feared realities, the body opening to emotional truth. It's the gentle word that encourages a different kind ot listening; less guarded, slowly turning toward the possibllity of being heard without judgement. 

Trust is the first stone in the foundation upon which enduring change can be built. Ray has a strong gentle style which creates a sense of safety and encourages people to speak the unspeakable; deeply cloistered feeling of shame and guilt; secret yearnings; needs which have been crying out to be recognized and met for years.

Once a sense of safety has been established problem identification and resolution can proceed in a grounded way. Ray uses a variety of counselling tools to facilitate change. He employs techniques which enhance an awareness of body states and the emotions linked to those states. He uses apporaches such as mindfulness, visuaiization, dream work, journal and creative writing and, where appropriate, meditation to deepen the experience of peace and connectedness to self and others. He helps people explore the cognitive realm through thought identification and how thinking translates into words and actions which impact daily life. Most importantly, Ray uses counselling techniques only after a careful description of a techniques nature and possible value and only with the consent of the client. Initially, most people simply want to talk about what's upsetting them and be respectfully listened to. That's absolutely okay with Ray. He believes in the importance of people starting where they are and moving at a pace that feels safe and comfortabe for them.

For further unformation, visit Ray Freed's website.

Ray draws on a variety of counselling tools and approaches in his pursuit of counselling success, but has found the following approaches especially helpful: cognitive behavioural therapy, focusing, family therapy, mindfulness.