Counselling Insights: Recent Episodes
Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Looking for inspiration and insights to help you with your counselling work? Listen as Vicki Enns interviews experienced counsellors and professional helpers to explore a variety of counselling topics. Through these conversations, listeners will hear the unique perspective of the guests, as well as Vicki’s insights on the topic. Vicki is a therapist with over 25 years of experience, the Clinical Director of the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute, and editor and a contributing author of Counselling Insights and Counselling in Relationships.
Vicki and Melanie Bazin explore land-based wellness practices – a wholistic approach to healing and self-awareness. Melanie describes how to prepare ourselves as helpers to engage in these practices authentically and she gives examples of sessions such as work with youth she does at L'il Steps Wellness Farm. And they discuss how connecting with the land opens a reciprocal relationship of care and responsibility between ourselves and nature.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki and Kristen Klassen discuss Seriously Therapeutic Play – using LEGO® bricks to build metaphorical models. They explore how this process helps us to think and listen differently, and provides unique communication and problem-solving opportunities. Kristen gives examples of simple strategies any counsellor can use with a few toys to bring this process into the therapy room or a group conversation.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki and Rebecca Bloom explore vicarious trauma and why it's gotten more intense for helpers since the pandemic. Rebecca delves into her book, Vicarious Trauma Illustrated, to provide a process for curiosity, reflection, awareness, and discovery about our own experiences of vicarious trauma. She also reminds us that our way out of stress and overwhelm is to dance and play with each other.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki and Shelly Qualtieri discuss the process of de-escalating potentially violent situations and how we need to start by learning to de-escalate ourselves. Shelly explains how anger is a secondary emotion – the bodyguard to sadness and the protector to fear. They explore practical steps that can make a difference to calm both ourselves and others. Not only can we interrupt an escalation, but Shelly embodies a perspective that sees hope in these very situations toward possible deeper connection and healing.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com and for further learning on this subject try our new De-Escalating Potentially Violent Situations™ E-Course
Vicki and International Association of Journal Writing Director Lynda Monk discuss the power of journaling both in a personal reflective practice and as a counselling resource. Lynda describes helpful structured steps for therapeutic journaling, as well as a range of ways to start journaling for burnout prevention and overall wellness. She also shares several helpful resources for people to get started, as well as an opportunity to access a free gift. Find her book, Life Source Writing, here.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki has a conversation with Krystel Salandanan, PsyD. They explore what a multicultural view of depression may look like and consider the example of “smiling depression.” Vicki and Krystel also discuss the role of the DSM and how it needs to be always evolving to be relevant. And Krystel offers guidelines for any counsellor to increase their capacity for a multicultural approach to understanding mental health.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki interviews elder, Louise McKay. They explore blending Western clinical counselling approaches with traditional Indigenous practices. Louise describes learning to listen differently, allowing oneself to be led by Spirit, embodying gifts we may not even know we have. And Louise offers suggestions for any counsellor to become more inclusive of an Indigenous worldview, embodying reconciliation.
For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com
Vicki interviews counsellor and trainer, Galya Chatterton. Together they explore the powerful impact of experiential work, and the importance of using presence to deepen therapy work while spending more time in positive experiences. Galya also gives helpful illustrations of slowing down to support unconscious emotions and beliefs to come into awareness, and we learn how skydiving helped shape her counselling approach.
For more free resources visit the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Vicki interviews Noela Crowe-Salazar – trainer, counsellor, author, and Kookum. They explore Noela’s life long learning for balancing Western mental health concepts alongside Indigenous teachings and views. Noela gives practical suggestions for decolonizing thinking and approaches in counselling. And together they reflect on the importance of conversation and relationship.
Vicki interviews counsellor, author, and trainer, Dr. Reece Malone. They discuss how sexual health contributes to overall mental health and how it links to one’s broader identity. Reece encourages all counsellors to consider the intersection between culture and sexuality, and to maintain an attitude of curiosity about life by continuing to ask, “Why?”
Vicki interviews counsellor and trainer, John Koop Harder. They explore how to get good questions flowing in counselling, and the central role values play in shaping counselling practices. John describes his shift in perspective to see the relationship with problems as the real problem in people’s lives. And he connects the dots among his grandparents’ influence, his role as a father, and the importance of creating space for men to explore masculinity in counselling.
Vicki explores play therapy and supporting children with Tanya Hoover, a Registered Social Worker and Certified Play Therapist. They talk about the importance of being real in the counselling room, and the need for counsellors to connect with their own vulnerability. Tanya discusses her passion for attachment and emotional connection as foundations for supporting both children and the adults in their lives. Also explored is Tanya’s new children’s book, The Helping Rock, along with the supplemental guidebook.
Vicki interviews Marwa Fadol, a Registered Psychologist and trainer with Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute. Vicki and Marwa explore Marwa’s journey into counselling, including her journey from refugee to psychologist, and the recurring theme of the importance of connection and relationship. Marwa discusses her key counselling insights, her evolving relationship with Imposter Syndrome, and the importance of joy and music to her wellness.
Also highlighted is their upcoming 2023 book on Wellness and Resilience for Helpers
Meeting ID: 834 5579 8748 Passcode: 945801
In this short episode, host Vicki Enns previews what this podcast is about and what you can expect for future episodes.