Karen Yakimchuk MC, CCC Certified Canadian Counsellor Certified Break the Worry Trance™ Coach
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I am a Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) certified as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation
and a Certified Break the Worry Trance™ Coach. I am a dedicated counsellor honoured to support women navigating life transitions and challenges. My counselling framework is client-centred, culturally-responsive and trauma informed. I value the diversity and uniqueness of each individual and their life experiences. I adhere to a strength-based approach, recognizing the innate resources of each woman as well as the potential for learning and integration of new strategies. |
I honour the innate dignity of all beings and believe individuals are naturally driven to seek healing, growth and purpose.
My Counselling Approach
My model of wellness integrates evidence-based theories and holistic modalities.
Counselling Theories
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 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.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This theory highlights six aspects of psychological flexibility to understand the wholeness of an individual.
These include: Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Being Present, Self as Context, Values, and Commitment to Action.
It 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 encourages individuals to facilitate action towards healthy processing and decision-making that aligns with their personal values,
This theory highlights six aspects of psychological flexibility to understand the wholeness of an individual.
These include: Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Being Present, Self as Context, Values, and Commitment to Action.
It 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 encourages individuals to facilitate action towards healthy processing and decision-making that aligns with their personal values,
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.
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.
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.
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 can be a catalyst for insight, healing, and growth.
Expressive arts honours the process of creation as well as self-exploration captured through the product.
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 incorporates creative modalities to facilitate self-expression and self-discovery.
Expressive arts offers individuals an invitation to explore, create, play, and discover.
It can be a catalyst for insight, healing, and growth.
Expressive arts honours the process of creation as well as self-exploration captured through the product.
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 is as follows: when an individual experiences trauma, the memories of this 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 bring forth a distressing memory and to process the memory via external bi-lateral stimulus, typically back and forth eye movements. The intended result to decrease the intensity of the distressing memory and its symptoms- a processed memory.
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 is as follows: when an individual experiences trauma, the memories of this 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 bring forth a distressing memory and to process the memory via external bi-lateral stimulus, typically back and forth eye movements. The intended result to decrease the intensity of the distressing memory and its symptoms- a processed memory.
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.
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.
Self-Care
Integrating self-care into daily life supports overall wellbeing. However, individuals will often neglect self-care or struggle to incorporate meaningful self-care practices.
Identify the blocks which have kept you from prioritizing self-care and develop a personalized self-care plan that honours your needs. Self-care can be a sustainable practice towards balance.
Integrating self-care into daily life supports overall wellbeing. However, individuals will often neglect self-care or struggle to incorporate meaningful self-care practices.
Identify the blocks which have kept you from prioritizing self-care and develop a personalized self-care plan that honours your needs. Self-care can be a sustainable practice towards balance.
Click Below for Information on Inner Wisdom and Living a Values-driven Life
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Pure Living Counselling is only offering Telehealth Counselling Support at this time.
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(587) 328-1282
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