My name is Marie Jakalicia Guignard, and I would like to welcome you to my practice Inner Self Counselling & Therapy. I hold a master's degree in counselling psychology from Yorkville University in New Brunswick, and I am a trained EMDR therapist.

 

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I am also a member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and EMDR Canada.

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As a therapist who has been through different painful life situations such as childhood trauma and has worked hard to find my Inner self and regain ownership of my life, I believe we are what we choose to become and have the inner resources and capacities to work toward our goals. I also want to acknowledge that working to heal from painful life experiences can be a challenging journey and that this work is a remarkable step-by-step process.

 

I have worked with different therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and EMDR therapy. I choose to specialize in trauma-informed therapy and EMDR as EMDR therapy have changed my practice also my own life. I work with adults and adolescents who are experiencing issues such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and other issues related to painful and disturbing life experiences .

 

What I offer to my clients is empathy, a confidential, nonjudgmental, and warm space to be heard and to work though their painful memories. When I work with you, my goal is to meet you where you at, support you in a collaborative way to help you feel a sense of relief, process painful life experiences and reach your goals. 

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I am a mother of two teenagers and a ten-year-old girl. I come from a diverse cultural community and attach great importance to respecting and valuing human diversity. I am from Haiti, I immigrated to Quebec when I was a teenager, and I have lived in different places in Canada. I am fluent in English, French, and Creole. I have worked in many support and mutual aid areas in a collaborative and supportive spirit before redirecting my career in counselling psychology.

 

My work is grounded in a person-centred approach, and a multicultural and trauma informed approach. I believe the beauty of life is in our difference, and our uniqueness and by appreciating and respecting this difference and uniqueness we can live a fulfilling life, contribute to our community and our society.

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