Welcome to Gillian Crandall Counselling
Life ~ in full bloom!
Looking for the right counsellor is an important step on your journey towards wellness. Although it may not seem like it, taking time for therapy is an act of self-care. One that can make a positive impact on your daily life, health, overall wellbeing, and relationships.
A key to success in any therapy setting is finding a therapist with whom you feel accepted and comfortable to BE 100% YOU! I believe the best success comes when people feel unconditionally supported, valued, and accepted. We all deserve unwavering support with the freedom to express our truth without fear of judgment or shame. I truly understand how hard life can be (not to mention sometimes - completely overwhelming!) We all do our best to adapt to our world and the challenges we face. It's natural to develop coping strategies that help ease our discomfort during tough times, including those that may not serve us long-term. Through a trusting relationship, therapists gain valuable insights, a better understanding of your concerns, underlying issues, and therapeutic goals. This process is a highly personal experience and I consider each individual's unique qualities, preferences, and needs in order to guide the counselling session.
If you are looking for a non-judgmental and accepting listening ear, assistance with a specific concern, or help to move forward in a good way, I am here for you.
"Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation"
-Audre Lorde
AREAS OF FOCUS
Grief & Loss
ADHD | Emotion Regulation
Parenting | Family Relationships | Teens | Young Adults
Anxiety | Depression | Stress
Trauma
Chronic pain | Autoimmune disease | Illness
Ages 9+
GILLIAN'S APPROACH
As an integrative, holistic therapist, I meet clients where they are and build a connection based on empathy and genuine appreciation for the trust they place in me along their healing journey. I have always been a strong advocate for my clients and strive to ensure they have the knowledge and support needed to grow and flourish in life. I blend many years of work and life experience with theoretical knowledge and research to increase understanding, connection, and therapeutic outcomes.
I am a grief trained counsellor and apply a trauma and grief informed lens to therapy while incorporating strategies and tools from various modalities that align best with the client. Some approaches include: Somatic, Attachment-Based, ACT, DBT, CBT, and EFT. I have completed additional certificate trainings, in family therapy, perinatal care, self-compassion, ADHD & autism, and trauma.
I hold a certificate in Grief Care Counselling from Megan Devine and have trained with the HANDLE Institute Level 1 and 2 (Holistic Approach to Neurodiversity and Learning Efficiencies), and CBT.
BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
I began my counselling career over 23 years ago in the non-profit sector with in-home counselling for families and children with ADHD and/or autism, following primarily CBT and behaviour modification-based approaches. Throughout the years I had the joy of working with young adults, seniors, and their families with varying physical and mental health or cognitive support needs in a variety of settings. I have worked with many multidisciplinary teams that held a strong focus in advocating for services, increasing independence, and the rights, needs, and dignity of clients with varying physical and/or mental abilities. I have also held strong leadership/management positions with team building, training, conflict management, and mediation requirements.
Outside of my work & education experience, time was dedicated to my neurodiverse family through homeschooling and volunteering with local schools and youth organizations with a focus on community involvement, acceptance, and outdoor and leadership skills.
This background has set a strong foundation for a strengths-based approach that has proved to be a supportive and empowering approach for all!