What is Counselling & Psychotherapy?
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association defines counselling as “a relational process based upon the ethical use of specific professional competencies to facilitate human change. Counselling addresses wellness, relationships, personal growth, career development, mental health, and psychological illness or distress. The counselling process is characterized by the application of recognized cognitive, affective, expressive, somatic, spiritual, developmental, behavioural, learning, and systemic principles.”
The British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors states that “clinical counselling helps people navigate life’s challenges and transitions” and that “Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) are specifically trained to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. RCCs work with many kinds of people: individuals, couples, and families in individual and group settings. Clinical counselling is typically sought when a person experiences challenging situations, thoughts, feelings, or circumstances”.

The American Psychological Association defines counselling as “professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage (e.g., retirement) problems. The counselor makes use of such techniques as active listening, guidance, advice, discussion, clarification, and the administration of tests.”

Counselling at Innova Therapy Inc.
At Innova Therapy Inc, we view seeking help for emotional issues as an act of courage and strength, and a recognition of our humanity. It is an acceptance that we are not perfect human beings, but that we are emotional and fragile.
When you are ready to make a positive change to your emotional health, we are here to support you and to walk with you through the process.
In many ways, seeking help from a mental health professional for emotional issues, is not dissimilar to going to a dentist when we have a toothache, or going to a lawyer for legal advice. These are trained professionals who are well versed in their chosen areas of expertise, and are able to provide the best care for issues for which they are trained.
So too are the counsellors and therapists at Innova Therapy Inc.
As professionals, we are constantly challenging ourselves to be better therapists for you. We value ongoing professional development as key to our success in helping you achieve your mental health goals.
Many of us have been or are still going through counselling for ourselves, so we know what it feels like to be in the other chair. We also gain valuable insights into what our clients may be experiencing and this also helps us to be more empathetic and compassionate.
Benefits of Counselling
For most people, counselling is not something they would consider unless they are feeling emotional pain. In the next section, we talk about some of the reasons why folks seek counselling. But what do they get out of counselling?
Read here now about the many benefits of counselling.
Reasons Why You Might Seek Help
At Innova Therapy, our clients come to see us for a range of issues, and certainly not limited to the following:
Personal
- Anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive behaviours
- Depression, mood swings, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts
- Self-doubt, self-image, identity and personal growth issues
- Bullying in school; peer pressure
- Boredom with life, search for purpose and meaning
- Life transitions – loss of a loved one; adjusting from one phase of life to another; new community, new culture
- Questions/doubts about identity
Work issues
- Stress and burnout
- Bullied at work
- Career issues; personality assessments and fit
Trauma
- Spousal abuse, life-threatening incidents, witnessing violent acts
- Preventing dissociation
Marriage and Family
- Marriage and relationship issues
- Pre-marital counselling
- Infertility and adoption
- Forgiveness and reconciliation
- Coping with parental conflict and expectations; conflict with siblings
- Grief from loss of parent or child
Weight Loss/Gain
– Self-esteem; self-confidence