It is an absolute honor to be joining Live in Light Counselling (LILC) Services as a practicum student completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP). In the past few years I have been counselling and have very much enjoyed this work as I find it very rewarding to help others navigate their challenges and realize their personal strengths. I look forward to connecting virtually with my new clients!

My personal philosophy in life is to “do you: work smarter and not harder.” Many of us have an idea of what we want in this life, or the things that matter to us. These values are often tied largely to our sense of identity and held dear to our hearts. However, when we disregard them, we often become locked in a cycle of discomfort, stress, and sometimes frustration, which can bring forth feelings of discontentment. Sometimes we understand we are not content, but we don’t know what to do about it, or why it’s happening. Or sometimes we know what to do about it, but we become “stuck” in this knowing.

Speaking to someone we trust can help us to develop insight, awareness, and ultimately help us to access and nurture many of the tools that already exist within us. When we can use those strengths to our advantage, we are not only doing what comes naturally to us, life, as it is, typically becomes better. As Dr. Suess once said: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you. Shout aloud, I am glad to be what I am.” As a psychotherapist my goal is to help you understand yourself and the strengths that you possess within you. In our sessions we may also explore how you relate to others, view the world around you, your past experiences, your beliefs, and last but certainly not least – your goals, wants and needs.

Has someone ever asked you or have you ever thought about what it is that you want out of this life?

Presently, I am offering short-term solution – focused psychotherapy, though I also recognize that my clients are the drivers of their own treatment. With collaboration as a key tenet of treatment, longer term counseling as well as integration and borrowing from other therapies may be necessary. The three modalities I gravitate towards are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness MBCT. Through these strategies we can explore the hows and whys, and then develop newer, more adaptive ways of being that align with our true self.

I am excited, honoured, and humbled to be working with each of you on your personal journey.

Warmly,

Sheila

RP(Q), OCT, MEd, BEd, BPA

Live In Light Counselling Services

Helping You Through Life’s Challenges

LILCS continues to serve people needing support in retirement transition, post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma, adolescence and family conflict, parenting support, depression, anxiety, and remains a general practice aiming to meet the needs of our community.

Professional, comfortable, confidential.

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It has been a while since the last newsletter and some things have happened….

Dear Community,

It is hard to know how to begin – my first thought being that I hope this note finds you well through this strange and wild time in our world.

As you may imagine, things here have been steady, as people notice feeling stuck, trapped or lost in this pandemic – or with life in general. If you have noticed any of these feelings, please remember that this makes full sense – and there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you – in fact – this is the response that would be predicted given life’s current uncertainty in terms of health & well-being, a period of intense political climate, a period of heated division and extremes on many fronts, intolerance of others related to their differences at the forefront, forced isolation, financial distress, disruption of all of our ‘normals’ [to mention a few things we have been recently facing].

It remains my goal to meet the needs of our community to support all – in the way they need – to live a healthy and balanced life.      I have been thinking of everyone and really do wish you all well. Remember: our bodies are built to survive – and we are strong in this way, as much as we may feel we are fragile – we are not – we will make it. If you need some support along the way, stand tall and reach out.                            ~ All the best to you ~       Lucy

Announcing….

• It is with great pleasure that I welcome new LILCS associate Jaclyn Strimas, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist, to the practice and back to our community.

Jaclyn has returned to Grey/Bruce after over 15 years experience in the field in Montreal and Toronto and brings a strong set of skills to serve our community.

 ~ ~ Welcome Jaclyn ~ ~

My name is Jaclyn Strimas and I am thrilled to join LILC. I obtained a Bachelor of Social Work degree from McGill University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto (2006). Drawing on 15 years of clinical social work experience from the Health Care and Post-Secondary Education sectors in Toronto, I bring expertise in counselling, a great respect for diversity, and a results driven down to earth approach to supporting clients.

I focus on clients’ strengths and integrate Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies.  I offer individual counselling to adults, transitional age youth and adolescents 16 years and older. If you are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed by transitions or new challenges in your life, I will work with you to develop new coping skills and to shift your mindset.

When should I/we seek counselling / psychotherapy services?

• do you continue to struggle with a life adjustment or change and no matter what you try you aren’t able to move on?
• are you generally feeling stuck, that you are alone or don’t belong?
• do you struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder / trauma?
• are you in the retirement transition period and it is not what you thought it would be?
• is your relationship causing you extreme stress or are you uncomfortable in it, feeling trapped or unhappy?
• do you have a teenager struggling with issues of identity and teenaged “angst”?
• could you use some support creating and implementing parenting strategies with your children?
• are you struggling with finding meaning and hope in your life?

Other common reasons to seek treatment include depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment to major life changes, general distress, grief and other mental health issues. You are NOT alone. Reaching out can change your life and can help lead you into a more healthy present & a brighter future.

Call today for more information about new services offered, to learn about areas of specialization or to book an appointment.

226-662-7777 lucyimarlin@gmail.com