Branches is a growing community of counsellors who will meet you with skill, compassion, and understanding. We strive to create a warm and secure environment where you feel comfortable and at ease. We value our professional and ethical obligation to confidentiality and consistently strive to maintain professional integrity and knowledge through ongoing trainings. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that the client is the center of our work, and your therapist will work with you to carefully provide a service that is individually suited to your specific needs. 

We Treat

Anxiety / Burnout / Stress / Depression

We understand that feeling overwhelmed can make us lose sight of life’s joys. Our counsellors are here to help you unpack the heaviness and find strategies to cope with the overwhelm. Together, we can help you find peace and joy in life again. We can help you with:

  • Generalized anxiety/depression
  • Health anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Test/performance anxiety
  • Social anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Burnout
  • Phobias
  • Work related burnout
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • BiPolar Disorder

Trauma & PTSD 

Trauma is an intense response that our bodies and minds may have when they become overwhelmed. It can be triggered by a single, life-altering event such as an accident, assault, or abuse, or it can be a result of cumulative experiences throughout our lives. While trauma can be very difficult to cope with, it is possible to identify its signs and symptoms and seek effective treatment to bring lasting relief. If you are struggling due to trauma, we can provide compassionate support that can help you to feel better.

  • Recent or stored trauma (PTSD/ CPTSD)
  • Childhood trauma
  • Bullying/harassment
  • Physical Trauma/Accidents/Injury

Grief

Grief can come in many forms, and can feel exhausting. The heaviness and complexity of grief can be difficult to navigate. Our counsellors provide help with dealing with the trauma of grief. We treat:

  • Loss of a pet 
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Prenatal and perinatal loss
  • Loss of relationship or employment

Life Optimization/Professional Growth

We understand that life can be overwhelming and that it is often difficult to find the right direction to take. That’s why we are here to provide the help, guidance, and support you need to reevaluate your life situation, reposition yourself, and renavigate life. Our experienced counsellors are ready to partner with you on your journey in order to help you gain clarity and find the right path forward. We can help with:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Healthy habit formation
  • Nutrition and exercise support
  • Goal Setting
  • Change of life (marriage, divorce, perimenopause/menopause, empty nest, retirement)

What can I expect from my first counselling session?

For someone who has never been to a therapist, that first session could feel uncertain. Rest assured that at Branches, we aim to make you as comfortable as possible with this process. At your first counselling session, you can expect a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. You are always welcome to arrive a few minutes early to make yourself a coffee or a tea at our self-serve counter. You can have a seat and relax until your therapist comes to collect you. Once you get comfortable in the therapy space, your therapist will likely begin by assuring you of their ethical commitment to confidentiality in this and all future sessions. It is important that you know that as therapists, we are bound to this confidentiality by our professional Code of Ethics. This first session can look different for each client. Perhaps you want to dig right in as to why you are seeking counselling, or perhaps you aren’t even sure yet why you’re here! Either way, this session will unfold in whatever way suits you and your needs. You and your counsellor will get to know each other in the process, and you will get an idea of how you might work together. We look forward to welcoming you to Branches!

What should I expect from counselling?

At Branches, you can expect to work with a qualified professional who provides a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in confidence. Together with your therapist, you will identify goals for therapy and develop personalized strategies to help you address and overcome challenges. Your therapist will utilize evidence-based techniques to support you in making positive changes and achieving your therapeutic goals. Your therapist understands that progress and change looks different for everybody, and they will help you navigate your own personal journey.