Johnathan Kuipers
I AM COMMITTED
To providing an affirming and inclusive space for people of all backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, orientations, and identities. I believe that regardless of who we are or where we come from, each of us deserves a space to be and be seen.
I may not be able to hold space for all ideas and beliefs and that is ok. My outlook on life is mine alone and I own this to the best of my ability, for the greatest good. My reflections will always be grounded in dignity and respect, especially when I sense that they may challenge or touch on sensitive content.
As a Social Worker, I am committed to an anti-oppressive, strengths-based, and whole-person-centered approach to practice. I am rooted firmly in my professional values and am guided by the principles that underpin ethical and evidence-based practice. Click here to read more about Social Work Values, Ethics, and Standards of Practice.
Areas Of Focus
Relationships & Communication Effectiveness
Talking can be hard and active listening, even harder. Without skillfulness, we are often left wanting in our personal and professional relationships. Effective communication skills are essential in order to convey clear messages, listen with discernment, and get what we need without sacrificing too much of the self. There is a lot of education and skill building in this domain of therapeutic work.
Anxiety, Depression, & Emotional Disturbance
When our mental health takes a hit, we often experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and activation outside of our window of tolerance (click here for more information about the window of tolerance). Working collaboratively in order to develop skills that are relevant to the individual, I utilize interventions that help clients effectively cope and regain a sense of regulation.
Life Transitions
Life takes its twists and turns and no one is immune from major life changes. These often take the form of career shifts, relationship changes, injuries or illness, and personal discoveries that shift ones outlook on life. There is often a lot of work around values, priorities, acceptance, accountability, and emotions that takes place here. My primary goal is to help folks manage the impact of significant life changes and support adjustments into a newer, healthier reality.
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma is a perceptual event. By nature, trauma overwhelms our ability to cope and leaves us responding to the world from a place of protection and hurt. Some trauma is classified as post-traumatic stress discorder (PTSD) but even when PTSD is not diagnosed, focused interventions are often needed in order to process and integrate traumatic experiences. The goal with this work is to foster post-traumatic growth and restore a sense of safety and well-being.
Types of Work / Methods
Cognitive and Behavioural
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as thought-based and behaviour-focused approaches are widely used as evidence-based forms of psychotherapy. They focusing on identifying non-helpful thoughts and behaviours, restructuring what is needed/relevant to your life, and building strategies that foster thoughtful, balanced, and intentional living.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness-based therapies incorporates principles and practices of mindful awareness, intention setting, and non-judgement . We pay attention with the right intention to help ourselves become more aware of what is happening in the present moment. Mindfulness is also used as a powerful tool to help regulate emotions and process complex experiences.
Somatic
Somatic therapies incorporate the wisdom of the body into the work. We learn to track our bodies and identify signals of unrest (i.e. where does tension show up in the body when I think about /remember a situation). Once we develop the ability to look inward and stay there, we can begin to process complexity, draw new meaning form our experiences, and choose new responses.
Creative and Expressive
Creative and expressive therapies offer an opportunity for folks to use means other than talking to process life's challenges. Whether we utilize visual prompts, music or sound, movement or tactile engagement, various forms of creative expression can help folks explore and process thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a new way.
What does this mean for our work together?
I adapt and interweave my approaches to meet the needs of clients of various ages, abilities, orientations, and personal histories. I work to empower my clients while respecting the unique sensitivities each of us has. As we uncover strengths and stressors in our work together, my goal is to foster a supportive environment for accessing what seems important, processing the heart of the matter, and integrating new understandings ... all the while, picking up useful skills and strategies along the way.