I have been in private practice since 1986, offering in-depth, client-centered psychotherapy.

In addition to my private practice, I provide Employee, Family Assistance Program counselling to the City of Victoria.

I bring to my practice a background in nursing, as well as many years of experience as a crisis line trainer and workshop leader.

I am a member in good standing with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). As part of my ongoing commitment to my professional organization I continue to remain actively involved, sitting both on the Inquiry and the Continuing Competency Committees of BCACC.

I participate in bi-weekly peer consultation and supervision, as well as attending workshops of special interest when available.

I have been in private practice since 1986, offering in-depth, client-centered psychotherapy.

In addition to my private practice, I provide Employee, Family Assistance Program counselling to the City of Victoria.

I bring to my practice a background in nursing, as well as many years of experience as a crisis line trainer and workshop leader.

I am a member in good standing with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). As part of my ongoing commitment to my professional organization I continue to remain actively involved, sitting both on the Inquiry and the Continuing Competency Committees of BCACC.

I participate in bi-weekly peer consultation and supervision, as well as attending workshops of special interest when available.

A few words about my approach:

My clinical work focuses on short and long term counselling with individuals, couples, families and seniors.

My special area of interest is in working with individuals who struggle with the symptoms of panic and anxiety disorders.

I see counselling as an ongoing process of self-awareness through the safety of a supportive, caring and respectful therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.

TO CONTACT ME:

Request an appointment - email
or Phone: (250) 384-1160 and leave a confidential message for Jocelyn.

Westcoast Clinical Counselling offices are located at 1045 Linden Avenue
which is at the corner of Fort and Linden in a heritage house called 'The Gables'.

Making an Appointment? - Download my Client Agreement Form in Advance

ANXIETY

Definition:

Anxiety is a complex emotional state with far reaching effects on our behaviour. It can be manifested in four ways; in our thoughts, behaviour, physical and/or biological reactions, and our feelings.

Anxiety is often described as a vague fear of something threatening which can persist even in the absence of a specific threat. This feeling is very similar to fear except that fear is a realistic reaction to an actual threat.

So the main difference is that fear is a reaction to a real and specific danger, whereas anxiety usually does not have an obvious cause. It is this vagueness of anxiety that makes it so difficult to diagnose.

Not being able to explain why we feel as we do creates an extremely uncomfortable state.

We have all experienced anxiety at some time in our lives and it is more than likely that we will continue to experience it to some degree.

Therefore, to keep our reactions within normal bounds and ensure our wellbeing, it is important that we learn the most effective ways to cope with anxiety when it does occur.

Anxiety is not something you master, you learn to live with it - to cope with it. As long as we live, grow, strive, and remain 'open to the possibility of change', there is going to be some anxiety involved - that's healthy!

HELPFUL COPING STRATAGIES

1. Self-acceptance

When you can accept yourself as you are right now and let go of all your self-criticisms, then you can direct all your energy towards growth and change.

2. Knowing your own body

Understanding what happens to you personally when you get tense and anxious. Where does anxiety show itself - in your thinking, in your muscles or in your general health (headaches, ulcers, back pain, stiff neck etc.)?

Look after your body because it is closely connected with your mind. Some people hold tension in their muscles - neck, shoulders, jaw, face, back etc. Planned physical activity, gentle or vigorous can help to keep your muscles free from unnecessary tension.

3. Meditation

Meditation is a relaxation technique that helps you to focus on your own inner awareness. It allows your mind to slow down and helps to bring your concentration into the present.

Anxiety and the stress that comes along with it, often happens because we are either thinking negative thoughts about the past or worrying about the future.

4. Breathing

When you are tense, your breathing becomes shallow and irregular, your heart rate often accelerates which can trigger all your anxiety-related responses. When you breathe deeply, more oxygen gets into your bloodstream and then into your muscles which will help your body to relax.

Angela Burns, Susan Farling and Jocelyn Harris formed Westcoast Clinical Counselling after completing their Masters degrees in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria.

Besides sharing adjoining office space, Angela, Susan and Jocelyn share core professional values and beliefs. Their approach favors gentle non-invasive therapies. They see the role of client and therapist as a partnership in self-exploration and healing.

As part of their private practice, they work with the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt in providing counselling services to their employees and family members.

They are committed to both their clients and their profession. In 1988 they were actively involved in the founding of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, a regulatory body that sets the standards for the counselling profession in British Columbia. They remain committed and active members in good standing. As well, they engage in regular, on-going professional development and clinical peer supervision.

In November 1998, Angela, Susan and Jocelyn were featured in Focus on Women, a local Victoria magazine. Here are a few quotes from that article:

• “If Angela, Susan and Jocelyn share an area of focus, it is transition issues, the ways in which we can navigate and enhance our journeys from one stage of life of another.”
• “ As they talk, the words safety, respect, support, and choice come up again and again. If Westcoast Clinical Counselling has a mantra, these words might be it.”
• “It’s not so much how fast these women are able to get to the heart; what counts is that they get there.”
• “Dedicated Professionals - They make a difference”