Stefanie Iverson
Areas of practice
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Depression
- Grief and Loss - General
- Infidelity
- Intimacy Issues
- Marriage and/or Relationship Issues
- Personal Growth
- Pre-Marital Counselling
- Stress Management
- Trauma Counselling
- Women's Issues
Approaches used
- Brief Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Life Stress Reduction (LSR)
- Marriage & Couples Counselling
- Mindfulness approaches
- ONLINE / VIRTUAL / TELEHEALTH COUNSELLING
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)
- Video Counselling
Counselling practice website:
www.southokanagancounselling.comPractice information:
A little bit about me ...
Being a “helper” has always been in my nature. I find a true sense of purpose in knowing I have been of service assisting others in their journey to self improvement, providing an empathetic sounding board, and non-judgemental guidance.
In addition to being a counsellor, I am also a mother to 3 beautiful children. I believe that motherhood has taught me invaluable lessons about life which inform my practice and work with clients. Through my own personal ups and downs, and parenting challenges, I have learned about patience, understanding, compassion, and perseverance to a degree which cannot be found in any textbook.
What can you expect from your work with me? Healing. Empathy. Support.
Every person is unique, and so are their struggles. There is no "one size fits all" solution to anyone's problem. I take the time to get to know each of my clients and thoroughly explore the problems they are currently facing. I use an eclectic treatment approach when helping clients figure out what will work for them.
I believe that counselling is a collaborative process in which my role is to walk alongside each of my clients, providing them with the emotional support and psycho-educational tools to draw upon the strength & solutions that inherently lie within them. I consider it a privilege to be invited into people's lives, often during very difficult times, and to be entrusted with the private & intimate details of their struggles. It is my honour to be able to offer a safe place for my clients, and to hold the space for them so that they can feel heard and begin to heal. I work with adult individuals, those seeking relationship & marriage counselling, maternal mental health counselling, and trauma/PTSD counselling.
The importance of "fit"
Client-Counsellor fit is one of the most important factors in determining positive outcomes for therapy. For this reason, I offer potential clients a 15-minute, no-fee phone consultation. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process, and for me to learn a little bit about you and what you wish to achieve in our work together.
I graduated from City University of Seattle in 2011 and hold a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology. I am a member in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), and I have been approved by the Crime Victim Assistance Program to provide counselling to victims of crime and their families.
In addition to my Master's degree, I have completed the following post-graduate trainings:
Gottman Method Levels I and II
Having Level II training allows me to work more in-depth with couples and utilize assessment tools, strategies & interventions that go beyond the basic level training. Gottman's method is a straight forward & practical approach to couples counselling, and I have seen first hand the effectiveness of using the Gottman Method when working with couples. It teaches couples the necessary skills to positively manage conflict and rebuild their friendship.
Bader-Pearson Developmental Model of Couples Therapy
This approach to couples counselling has three main pillars: differentiation theory, attachment theory and the most recent research on neuroscience and the impact of brain/nervous system function on couples (reference: https://resolutioncounselling.ca/resolution-approaches/developmental-model/). The Bader-Pearson Model compliments the Gottman Method in that it too provides couples with practical tools & teaches important skills for every successful relationship.
Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) & Life Stress Reduction (LSR)
TIR is a highly effective technique in which the therapist (facilitator) guides the client (viewer) through a series of questions until the client arrives at his/her own conclusions/resolution.
What makes TIR different from other modalities/techniques?
Unlike other traditional therapeutic modalities, TIR goes beyond offering clients coping strategies to help "manage" their symptoms, and instead provides resolution & relief which allow individuals to truly "let go" of their suffering.
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TIR is highly directive, yet non-interpretive and non-evaluative.
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TIR is 100% person-centered & client-driven.
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TIR sessions have no fixed length, the sessions end when the client reaches an appropriate "end point". This ensures that the client is not left in a triggered state.
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TIR uses repetition as a powerful tool to reduce emotional charge once it has been located.
For more answers to FAQs: https://www.tira.org/faq/
To find out if TIR or LSR is right for you:
https://www.tira.org/trauma-resolution/
https://www.tira.org/life-stress-reduction/
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Certification
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety are both very commonly experienced by mothers with newborns, and they are both treatable! The key is to identify and treat PPD/PPA sooner rather than later. This course has given me the knowledge and tools to work with mothers who have recently given birth and are struggling with feelings of sadness, irritability, anxiety, anger, sleep disturbance, "scary" thoughts, and persistent worry. As part of my on-going training in the area of maternal mental health, I also participate in monthly clinical presentations to uphold & expand on my knowledge base.
Client fee individuals:
Initial Session (75 min), $190 incl. GST Follow Up Sessions (50 min), $140 incl. GSTClient fee couples/families:
Initial Session (90 min), $250 incl. GST Follow Up Sessions (75min), $215 incl. GSTAvailability:
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