Nicole Clarke, Registered Social Worker (MSW)
MY PASSION
My passion for being a therapist comes from being able to provide clients a safe, non-judgmental space to explore what they are experiencing and what it is they may need during challenging times and difficult life circumstances.
The courage it takes for someone to come to therapy and be vulnerable is something I highly respect, and I honor being able to be part of someone’s journey of self-discovery.
I believe you are the expert on yourself and my goal is to help you feel that way. We often feel
driven by our thoughts, emotions, or external circumstances, and I want to help you feel like you’re back in the driver’s seat when difficult situations emerge and in your life in general.
We are all human, and my own experiences in life have helped me realize how valuable having the ability to explore how we are thinking, feeling, and responding through counselling can be in giving us the power to make
changes in our own lives.
WHO I WORK WITH
I enjoy working with individuals who are ready to explore current or past challenges they are facing to help them gain insight, coping tools, healing, and a way forward.
Past hurts or trauma can sometimes create patterns of physical or emotional responding, wounds in our self-worth, unhelpful beliefs, or difficulties with healthy boundaries and relationships.
This can leave us feeling discouraged, confused or even hopeless at times.
Sometimes present stressors seem to be taking over, affecting our physical and mental health. These
could be work, school, relationships, parenting, grief/loss, change or transition, identity, family
dynamics, or any number of things.
Increasing your confidence and belief in your ability to navigate challenges in life, whatever these may be, will be part of our process together.
MY APPROACH
In beginning sessions, we explore what goals you have for therapy so these can direct our work
together, and we will touch base regularly to ensure you feel sessions are focusing on what you need. I believe every person comes to therapy with unique needs and goals, and our approach needs to be tailored to that.
Sometimes we just need a safe space to talk and process what is going on, or we may also need to explore how to make changes in the present and/or challenge old patterns of behaviour and responding that no longer help us.
Everything we do as humans makes sense if we look at it from a wider lens, and if we understand it, we can work towards doing what is helpful for ourselves.
I use a combination of concepts and approach from cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, trauma informed therapy, attachment informed practice, mindful self compassion, acceptance therapy, and more depending on what fits for your needs.
I look forward to working with you on your journey!