Clara Madrenas, Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW)
MY PASSION
My passion for being a therapist comes from clients themselves, and learning about their stories, struggles and challenges but also their resiliency and courage. I also think we can be creative in therapy—and even have fun!—by taking a curious stance towards challenges and finding new ways to cope.
I feel so privileged to be able to walk alongside people taking steps to experience healing and self-discovery through counselling.
My role is to use my counselling skills, expertise and wisdom and help to guide you in new ways of thinking and acting that align with who you are.
MY APPROACH
I’m passionate about working with a range of clients of all ages and gender identities, many of who have experienced trauma or other overwhelming life stressors that shape how they’re currently viewing and living in the world.
I have a particular passion for working with adolescents and young adults. Trauma and emotional dysregulation (super-feelers, who feel huge emotions hard and often) are big areas of focus for me.
I work with my clients as an equal partner in investigating and learning to cope with overwhelming life problems. I use trauma-informed and trauma-specific treatment modalities to work with you to stabilize where you’re at, starting with coping skills, tools and strategies, then beginning to reprocess and overcome distressing memories and stories. We are working towards an integrated sense of self, all the while focusing on building the life you want to live.
Other people describe me as a warm, gentle, inquisitive presence and someone who is unfailingly non-judgmental and collaborative in my approach.
Every counselling approach is highly individualized and can be eclectic at times and I will draw upon my skills and knowledge to create a plan that is unique to you. Always with the ultimate goal of getting you to the kind of stable, solid ground that best positions you to reconcile the past and move forward with confidence, capability and self-worth.
I have studied many different therapeutic approaches and I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which is a powerful and groundbreaking therapy that can assist in your healing.