My Therapeutic Approach
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Karen Yakimchuk MC, CCC
Certified Canadian Counsellor Certified Somatic Therapy Foundations Practitioner Certified Break the Worry Trance™ Coach I am a dedicated counsellor honoured to support women navigate the many layers of life -relationships, identity, motherhood, work, loss, change and the quiet inner struggles that are often carried alone. I walk alongside women to explore their experiences at a pace that feels safe and supportive. My counselling framework is client-centred, culturally-responsive and trauma informed. I adhere to a strength-based tailored approach and weave somatic work to facilitate self-awareness and attunement. I recognize the innate resources of each woman and believe women are naturally driven to seek healing, growth and purpose. This is your Inner Wisdom. I offer you a gentle, supportive space where you can slow down, reconnect with your inner strength and develop tools to create change that nurtures balance and wellbeing in your life. |
Wondering about Specific Modalities?
Learn more below.
Learn more below.
Theoretical Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages individuals to engage in purposeful self-awareness of their inner world and external circumstances. Recognize what blocks fulfillment (including thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and external factors) and discover strategies towards healthy processing and decision-making that aligns with personal values.
Existential Therapy
Existential therapy has roots in philosophy. As such, existential therapy acknowledges that the complexities of life can create existential angst and disrupt the path of living a balanced life. Its principals uphold the uniqueness of individuals, including their values and their inherent need to seek meaning in life.
Existential Analysis invites an exploration of motivations, decision-making process and how it impacts life experiences.
It seeks to invite individuals discover their "YES" to living a life with intention and purpose.
Existential Analysis invites an exploration of motivations, decision-making process and how it impacts life experiences.
It seeks to invite individuals discover their "YES" to living a life with intention and purpose.
Internal Family Systems
Recognizes an individual as an internal mental system composed of the True Core Self (the essence of you) and sub-self ‘parts’. For example have you ever caught yourself saying “a part of me is nervous” or “I can be so hard on myself at times” (sub-parts). Do you experience moments of inner connection and confidence in yourself? (This is your core self).
This approach invites individuals to explore the function of the parts to gain better understanding of triggers, roles, and how they function as a system, impacting your thoughts/emotions/behaviours. It invites individuals to restore wholeness through the process of understanding and healing parts which may be in conflict and keeping you from your full potential and expression of your genuine core self.
This approach invites individuals to explore the function of the parts to gain better understanding of triggers, roles, and how they function as a system, impacting your thoughts/emotions/behaviours. It invites individuals to restore wholeness through the process of understanding and healing parts which may be in conflict and keeping you from your full potential and expression of your genuine core self.
Narrative Therapy
Utilizes dialogue via meaningful and purposeful questions to understand the narratives and stories you hold. This provides insight to the lens by which you view yourself, others, and the world. It invites individuals to recognize the ‘stories’ at work in your life (identify which are helpful and resilient, which are destructive and self-limiting). This therapy approach regards individuals as separate from their presenting concerns. For example, changing the narrative from “your anxiety” to “the anxiety” encourages externalization from the presenting concern. It views individuals as active participants in their lives with the ability to alter and shift their self-narrative to foster change.
Expressive Arts
Expressive arts incorporates creative modalities to facilitate self-expression and self-discovery.
Expressive arts offers individuals an invitation to explore, create, play, and discover. It is an added catalyst for insight, healing, and growth.
Expressive arts modalities include, Art, Music, Writing, Drawing, Painting, Movement, Dance, Imagery, Drama, etc.
No experience within the modalities is required, only an openness to engage in creative means of exploration.
Expressive arts offers individuals an invitation to explore, create, play, and discover. It is an added catalyst for insight, healing, and growth.
Expressive arts modalities include, Art, Music, Writing, Drawing, Painting, Movement, Dance, Imagery, Drama, etc.
No experience within the modalities is required, only an openness to engage in creative means of exploration.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured 8 phase treatment technique to alleviate the distress of traumatic memories. The guiding principle of EMDR are as follows: when an individual experiences trauma, memories are stored in the brain and can get ‘stuck’, resulting in unprocessed emotions, flashbacks and distress (PTSD). During an EMDR session, the client is guided by the therapist to process the memory via external bi-lateral stimulus, typically back and forth eye movements. The intended result is to decrease the intensity of the distressing memory and its symptoms.
Holistic Modalities
Mindfulness
This is the practice of intentionally focusing on the present without judgment. Cultivate greater understanding of emotions, thoughts, and behaviours by integrating awareness and implementing a noticing and observing stance in order to foster relaxation and calmness.
Mindfulness techniques include:
Breathing techniques, guided imagery, introspection, body scanning, progressive muscle relaxation, prayer, guided meditation, journal writing, nature walks etc.
Individuals are also encouraged to integrate mindfulness practices and meaningful rituals into their day to day to decrease distressing reactivity and increase clarity.
Mindfulness techniques include:
Breathing techniques, guided imagery, introspection, body scanning, progressive muscle relaxation, prayer, guided meditation, journal writing, nature walks etc.
Individuals are also encouraged to integrate mindfulness practices and meaningful rituals into their day to day to decrease distressing reactivity and increase clarity.
Somatic Body-based
Using body-based and neurobiological interventions to facilitate self-awareness and healing. Practices include utilizing movement, bodily awareness, nervous system regulation, breathing techniques, visualization and other embodied exercises.
