Gabriela McGreal RSW, Ma AC&P, RPC
Counselling & Addiction Recovery
Prince George, British Columbia
Support for moms postpartum depression
Call for a free consultation 604-209-7879
Healing starts by transforming
Secrets into Truth
and
Isolation into Community
What I do and how I do it
Individual Counselling
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I offer 20 years of experience in the field of counselling where I have supported women (and sometimes men) experiencing abuse, depression and anxiety and loss. I have held space for a traumatic stories and have witnessed people grow past their pain to embrace healthy lives.
As a trained social worker I help to find resources, I assess for mental health, do referrals and provide education on the role of medication and other helpful tools. Often the original issue that clients bring are just the secondary solution to the original pain. It takes courage, patience, respect and honesty to dig deep and find out what really burdens a person. I believe in my clients until they can belief in themselves, again.
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Postpartum counselling
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I trained with the BC Post Partum Society as a facilitator. As a mom who suffered with post partum depression I bring my lived experience and passion to this taboo subjects. PPD does not mean you don't love your baby or you will harm your child...
It means you need more support - support that moms in other societies seem to enjoy. It can be a mental health issue, it can be a sleep issue, a hormonal issue, a relationship issue - or the fact that having a baby is the biggest adjustment you will make in your life! Also: YES - men can suffer from PPD too, but it is seldom openly addressed. Education, solution focus and validation and debunking the myth of motherhood helps a lot.
About spirituality
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As a person who walks in the contemplative Christian tradition I encourage clients to find a spiritual walk that is helpful, healthy and meaningful to them. Research in the field of trauma and veterans have shown that spirituality can be the one thing that helps people move from trauma to hope, meaning and acceptance. I would never impose my own beliefs and walk onto others but instead gently invite people to explore the spiritual yearning that is within each of us. That can mean prayer, mindfulness, meditation, silence, nature, listening to the quiet voice, using art or music.
Authors that have been informative to me were:
CS Lewis, Max Luccado, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster.
I took one course for spiritual direction and am just humbled when people use their faith or spirituality to further healing.
Addiction Recovery
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My Master's is in Addiction Counselling & Prevention and I have supported men and women caught in substance use for over 2 decades. I do assessment, exploration of triggers, relapse prevention, recovery capital building, referral to treatment and/or treatment. I can do short term coaching sessions or in-depth counselling. In this field not one shoe fits all and I need to have flexibility and curiosity to find what fits my clients. I use the range from abstinence to harm reduction, mixing compassion with accountability and always lots of humour!
I can help people explore substance use, porn addiction or disordered eating. I am passionate about the fact that people CAN and DO recovery.
For more information go to www.2tough4tears.com
about me:
I am registered with the Canadian Professional Counselling Association and the BC College of Social Workers.
My BSW and a counselling certificate have given me solid counselling skills and good understanding of the inter-connectedness of addiction and mental illness. My Master's degree specialized in addiction and mental illness.
I have an eclectic array of tools to draw from, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Motivational Interviewing, DBT basic training, Social Structural approach and lots of trauma education and existential approaches.
But research has demonstrated that the most important component in counselling is the therapeutic relationship - and I dare say that is my greatest strength: unconditional acceptance, hopeful encouragement and a dash of humour.
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Training, education and experience include:​​
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Teaching experience at Three Hills Bible College
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Masters in Addiction Counselling & Prevention, Uni of South Dakota
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Mental Health Substance Use Clinician, Northern Health
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Concurrent Disorder Counsellor a Baldy Hughes
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Addiction counsellor & Mental Health Screener with PHSA
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Addiction Counsellor with Turning Point Recovery
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Volunteer work with the Crisis Line Vancouver
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A BSW from the University of the Fraser Valley
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Work as family counsellor at Community Services
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Motivational Interviewing training
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Trauma informed training at the Justice Institute
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Facilitating of meditation and educational groups
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SMART facilitator training
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Facilitator training in the area of domestic violence
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Pacific Postpartum Society Facilitator training
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Souls stream course (spiritual direction)
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Understanding of the family dynamics and able to equip the family with education so they can better understand the role they can play in their own healing journey.
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Testimonials
“Gabriela is very compassionate, wise and thorough. She was instrumental in helping me dig deeper and work toward healing with addiction issues and an abusive relationship."
Jillian B.
I have known Gabriela as a supervisor and have seen her work with women struggling with addiction. She has shown ethical and sound judgment, never loses hope for her clients and is a joy to be around on a team.
Sheena E.
As a friend and mentor to Gabriela I have seen her heart for those caught in addiction and lies. She is a prayer warrior and dedicated to her own healing journey which enables her to speak powerfully into the lives of those she serves."
Nancy C.
Fees
Coaching
Coaching is a more directive and intense way of counselling and yet is often done on the phone. It involves goal setting, planing, assignments and follow-up. Coaching includes feedback and holding the client accountable. It is focused on the present and not so much the past.
The most effective coaching is to commit to the process by purchasing a pre-paid package.
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4 hour session package $ 400.- (tax included)
includes free hour of assessment, four counselling session, and four short follow-up sessions on the phone. I will be available for crisis-only phone calls - that is the nature of addition.
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Counselling
In person counselling session $ 120 / hour
Free assessment. Traditional counselling implies creating a safe environment to explore the issues that keep you from reaching your potential. Although goals are established, the process is less strictly defined and more creatively achieved. Often in counselling we explore the past to look for patterns and how they hold us back. Counselling goes deeper but slower. I personally believe counselling is "grief work" that will enable you to move on. I hold a nonjudgmental space so you can get curious about your feelings and thoughts.
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Step out of isolation .....
Address
Due to the sensitivity of substance use:
Confidential location in the PG area
(604) 209-7879
Opening Hours
Please call to arrange
Week-end and evening hours available
on-line coaching offers flexible hours
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