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NM

Welcome to the “couch”

I love how mental health has long been connected to imagery of the ‘couch’. Firstly, there’s no actual couch to my counselling practice, session environment is about what feels most comfortable for you. But when I imagine my couch it’s long worn and journeyed. Familiarity and safety live here, You can sink into it and feel firmly supported by it. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable and over time you might begin to notice threads you haven’t seen before. You might even contemplate redecorating, whatever that looks like for you, and, as is intended, there will be a time when it no longer serves you. Welcome to my couch.

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“Everything is mentionable and from there manageable”

Meet Ness

Hi, I’m Ness, I use he/him pronouns and I’m a therapeutic counsellor.

I believe mental health is part of our wholeness.  I also believe we are each the expert of our own life.  There’s no universal truth, no one-size-fits-all.  My goal is to provide a safe environment to support clients in accessing their natural potential for healing and health.  Life is not linear.  My counselling practice is a space for you to come as you are.

I am grateful to reside on and practice from the unceded and ancestral territories of the Coast Salish People (British Columbia). I’m a dad, I love puzzles and walking. I’m queer, trans and blind. Wearing sunglasses is a part of my blind identity and expression. Fit is important, if you would like to know more about me please read my about page and or contact me.

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Monochrome. Ness face and shoulders, angled slightly to the camera. His expression is kind, a broad smile and at ease. He’s wearing a tshirt and square framed sunglasses. He has a neat beard and moustache. His hair is short, fuller on top, a high fade shave. In his ear he has a large black disc stud in the lobe with two small silver loops above that.

Counselling approach

I offer individual counselling sessions online and work with a diversity of clients and client needs.  In my practice I focus on relationships —the ones we have with ourselves and those with the world around us — supporting you through process and with tools to best navigate these in ways that serve you.

As an integrative counsellor, I use a humanistic, person-centred, and trauma-informed approach that draws on a variety of therapeutic modalities.  I actively engage anti-oppressive frameworks in my counselling style and throughout my practice.  Experience of difference, intercultural competence and the margins are places I comfortably practice from and operate within. 

Sessions are collaborative and built around openness, curiosity and non-judgment.  As your counsellor, I want to create as safe of a space for you as possible – you define what feels truly safe for you.

Counselling is an interactive and collaborative process between client and counsellor. Counselling work is unique to each person and includes support to process life experiences, address life structures and learn tools to navigate the ups and downs of life ongoing. Put another way, counselling helps explore thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a safe and confidential environment to empower you with tools to help manage your day-to-day.

Counselling conversations are confidential. All matters discussed in sessions are held in confidence in compliance with privacy acts and professional code of ethics.

The first session involves us meeting and for me an opportunity to understand what brings you to therapy. It is also an opportunity for you to get to know me and ask questions about the therapeutic process. One of the aims for the first session is to collaboratively establish the goals of therapy.

At each session we start wherever you are at. During therapy you can talk about whatever is on your mind. There’s no right way to do therapy. You may come with specific experiences and feelings you’d like to talk about or you might not. Both and everything in-between are okay and natural. The flow can and will change between sessions. I will support you in whatever is coming up for you and as it comes up for you.

During our session I will listen and work with you. Sometimes this involves me speaking less. Other times I may ask you to explore and unpack further what you’re sharing. There will also be times I’ll invite you to participate in an exercise such as breath work. We will always work with what feels okay for you. Sessions are structured on consent.

Counselling can raise feelings of uncomfortable. This is a natural part of opening and process, vulnerability and change. Most people who take risks in therapy find it useful; gaining a better understanding, increasing self-awareness and knowledge, and being empowered to overcome problems.

And, it’s natural to have feelings about the counselling process and approach. I welcome and will invite us to talk about our session dynamics too. Feedback is an important part of our work together.

Online. 
Sessions are conducted via telehealth videoconference.  

Individual sessions
I offer individual one-on-one sessions. These are 55 minutes or 85 minutes in length  (interim 30 minute sessions are available with discussion).

Note:
** I do not prescribe medications, provide therapeutic letters or provide formal diagnoses.

** My services are offered online so you can access support convenient to you. All sessions will be considered under Canadian law and jurisdiction.

** There is a 24 hour cancellation policy for sessions. Sessions are non-transferrable.

*All rates are in Canadian dollars and are inclusive of tax

Connection Call — No Charge
This is an optional 20 minute consultation. This is for us to talk about what has brought you here and what you’re wanting to work towards. It’s also an opportunity for us to explore “fit” with each other. 

individual session (55 minutes) — $135
individual session (85 minutes) — $185

Sliding Scale Available. I am an equity-access provider, I believe we all deserve support. I reserve sliding scale session spaces as part of my practice. Please discuss your fee needs with me (prior to booking a session). 

Ready to connect ?

To book a session, connection call or ask a question send me a message using this online form. Alternatively, you can email me directly at ness@nessmurby.com