These are the details about how I work with people. If you just want the short and sweet/what I do... click here.
In the last few years, I've become a specialist in the area of rural counselling, specifically supporting people who have small farms, identify as crofters, smallholders, downshifters, back to the landers, or self-sufficient, self-reliant, sustainable living, etc types. I recently asked a client about that perception and she simply said "because you get it". She'd seen a previous therapist who had just suggested she sell some animals or hire some help or something. I admit to smiling a little inside during the conversation because it all came clear to me, not at my colleagues expense, at the reality that there are different issues when you're living this kind of lifestyle and you kind of do need to be an insider to really get it.
My focus is on helping people thrive. Sometimes that means some problem solving that allows them to keep living their lifestyle, sometimes it means shifting things. At the end of the day though, life has to work.
So, while I work with pretty much anyone for therapy and coaching (research and consulting are here) I prioritize certain circumstances.
Here are the top priorities:
First and foremost: living a small farming/crofting/sustainable/whatever-term-you-use life. This can include apartment and condo dwellers so don't rule yourself out just because you're not rural and living on a "farm".
Family struggles, especially if the struggle is in the relationship and/or there are kids in the family or there's a serious health crisis. You are the top of my list.
Family struggling with decisions relating to the relationship and/or farm, especially planning a contraction or expansion of land/stock/relationship/staff.
Struggling with finances. I'm not a financial planner (and likely will encourage you to speak with someone who is), we'll be dealing with the emotional and social struggles that come with financial challenges.
People considering a move from urban to rural or to start farming (small or large).
I don't work in a limited geography anymore. I used to just see Canadians but, as more requests come in, I am opening that up. Contact me to see if I see people in your neck of the woods (the answer is probably yes).
And, if you're not on this priority list but you're living "in this lifestyle" (and yes, you can be an apartment dweller growing crops on your balcony to count), message me and we'll see what we can figure out.
In the last few years, I've become a specialist in the area of rural counselling, specifically supporting people who have small farms, identify as crofters, smallholders, downshifters, back to the landers, or self-sufficient, self-reliant, sustainable living, etc types. I recently asked a client about that perception and she simply said "because you get it". She'd seen a previous therapist who had just suggested she sell some animals or hire some help or something. I admit to smiling a little inside during the conversation because it all came clear to me, not at my colleagues expense, at the reality that there are different issues when you're living this kind of lifestyle and you kind of do need to be an insider to really get it.
My focus is on helping people thrive. Sometimes that means some problem solving that allows them to keep living their lifestyle, sometimes it means shifting things. At the end of the day though, life has to work.
So, while I work with pretty much anyone for therapy and coaching (research and consulting are here) I prioritize certain circumstances.
Here are the top priorities:
First and foremost: living a small farming/crofting/sustainable/whatever-term-you-use life. This can include apartment and condo dwellers so don't rule yourself out just because you're not rural and living on a "farm".
Family struggles, especially if the struggle is in the relationship and/or there are kids in the family or there's a serious health crisis. You are the top of my list.
Family struggling with decisions relating to the relationship and/or farm, especially planning a contraction or expansion of land/stock/relationship/staff.
Struggling with finances. I'm not a financial planner (and likely will encourage you to speak with someone who is), we'll be dealing with the emotional and social struggles that come with financial challenges.
People considering a move from urban to rural or to start farming (small or large).
I don't work in a limited geography anymore. I used to just see Canadians but, as more requests come in, I am opening that up. Contact me to see if I see people in your neck of the woods (the answer is probably yes).
And, if you're not on this priority list but you're living "in this lifestyle" (and yes, you can be an apartment dweller growing crops on your balcony to count), message me and we'll see what we can figure out.