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Carola Lopes de Souza
Counsellor
Experienced clinical counsellor and social worker with over twenty years working with individuals and families struggling with mental ill-health and problematic alcohol or substance use.
I specialise in:
About me
I am a clinical counsellor and social worker educated in Adlerian Psychotherapy and anti-oppressive social work. I have been working with individuals and families of diverse backgrounds for over twenty years, and predominantly with individuals and families affected by mental ill-health, suicidality, emotion regulation difficulties and problematic alcohol and substance use. I firmly believe that there is no 'one fits all' approach to health, healing, and well-being. In contrast, in my experience, therapy is most helpful when tools, strategies, and interventions are tailored to the unique situation and needs of my clients.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
As Virginia Satir pointed out, “growth comes from what fits, not from what should be”. As an experienced helping professional, I have learned therapeutic techniques and approaches helpful to clients in relation to the specific issues that bring them into therapy. However, I believe that individuals, no matter how distressed or overwhelmed at the moment, remain the experts on their own lives. As such, they are the only ones who can discern what techniques or approaches ‘fit’ for them, given their individual personality, life experiences, and specific current situation.
Therapy to me, then, is a joint venture between therapist and client; a guided exploration into a perhaps unknown territory of change, personal growth, and transformation. Reconnecting with your unique strengths, wisdom and resources is part of this journey towards increased health and well-being in mind, body, and spirit, and I feel honoured and privileged to be your ally in this experience.
Experience
2028-current: Santosha Counselling Practice, Vancouver, BC, Canada 2023-2024: Mental Health Social Worker, Providence Healthcare, Vancouver, Canada 2018-current: Employee Assistance Counsellor & Coach, Uprise, Australia 2016-2017: HOPE Rehab Thailand; residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center 2008-2016 & 2018-2020: Concurrent Disorders Counsellor, Vancouver Coastal Health 2010-2013: Part-time private practice, Stewart & Associates 1999-2008: Child Protection and Family Services Social Worker, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Vancouver, BC
Education
2007 MA in Counselling Psychology, Adler University, Chicago, USA 2002 Bachelor of Social Work, University of Victoria, Canada
Additional certification and/or training in: Concurrent Disorders Yoga Teacher Training Interpersonal Psychotherapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Mindfulness (MBCT) Attachment Emotion Freedom Technique (tapping) Cognitive Processing Therapy Motivational Interviewing Trauma
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Insurances
