Kara Pierson, Registered Psychotherapist

Weaving it All Together

The Practical

I emphasize practicality in the counselling process. What does this look like? Action and results-oriented. I help you spot real change and bring it to your awareness; encourage you to take what you learn and apply it in your life as you see fit. I support your learning of relevant tools and help you get clarity in how you might use these skills in your real world. Gain techniques to manage your anxiety or depression or use healthier communication skills in your relationships. Whatever your needs and goals are, practical counselling offers real world impact.
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The Creative

Everyone has creative potential and creativity can be used to make sense of your experiences. It does not limit you to verbal or intellectual tools for self-expression. Tapping into it facilitates your self-healing, in a holistic way. It can enhance emotional understanding in a non-intimidating way and promote presence and awareness. In our sessions, it may take different forms: visual arts, writing, working with sand or play doh, music, using photographs and nature-based objects. Creativity can be nicely integrated with other therapeutic approaches.

Experiential Therapy

Experiential means experiencing rather than talking about it. I draw from a range of experiential modalities that can help you engage in healing with your whole self- mind, body and spirit.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps you get to know your different parts and then offer the healing each part needs.
  • Mindfulness practice promotes slowing down and paying attention to your inner world.
  • Self-compassionate, mindfulness body-oriented methods like the Hakomi method, Qigong and body movement can help you get out of your head and tap into what's going on in your body.
  • Walk and talk therapy combines walking, talking and being close to nature. Emotional shifts happen when we are moving and embodied, mood improves and creativity and deeper insight can take place.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) allows for facilitated client self-healing of trauma and psychological stress.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy is insightful and reflective and helps you dig deep and focus on the long term. It gives you the chance to explore your thoughts, feelings and the effect they have on your mood and behavior. Emotional exploration and awareness can help you shift painful feelings, self-destructive patterns and learn realistic coping skills. I draw from such evidence-based talk therapies as: Person-centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existential therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I tend to draw from talk therapies that are grounded in human potential, self-expression and mind-body wellness.

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