Jan Paris, MA

Jan Paris, MA
604-989-9555
Jan AT pacificcounselling DOT ca

I am a registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC. I have practised as a psychotherapist and counsellor for over 25 years working with individuals, couples and families.My career has also included working in voluntary organisations in the UK, lecturing in Psychotherapy and Counselling and offering clinical supervision to qualified to trainee practitioners.

I remain committed to my ongoing personal and professional development. This includes regularly attending workshops and seminars and keeping informed about recent developments in my profession. My style is warm and interactive with a primary focus on developing a relationship of trust and openness. Research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic relationship over and above any single approach is central to therapy having a successful outcome.

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There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
(Maya Angelou)

I first completed an extensive training in couples’ counselling. I went on to complete a 4 year diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling at Leicester University later becoming a lecturer on that programme. I then gained a Masters degree in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy from the University of Derby. This was a research driven Masters and the focus of my research dissertation was attachment and loss. My knowledge and understanding of attachment has enabled me to work at depth with clients to explore the complexities of their attachment relationships and to understand how their attachment patterns have shaped and affected significant relationships throughout their lives. I also have extensive experience of working with the legacy of childhood trauma and abuse. I have a particular interest in dissociative processes and working with traumatized clients to help them to reconnect with the affective and somatic experiences from which they have become estranged.

My Humanistic Integrative approach is underpinned by attachment theory and neuroscience. I am informed by Interpersonal Neurobiology and evidence-based trauma treatments and interventions. My approach as a couples’ therapist is influenced by Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) and research from the Gottman Institute. I am a certified Gottman Bringing Baby home educator which informs my work with couples and families.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy sessions are for 60 minutes and usually take place weekly. The frequency and duration of therapy however, will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some issues may be resolved with short term therapy but chronic or more complex issues will require a longer term commitment.

My fee for individual therapy is $140 plus 5% GST. I have some concessions available for people on low income.

Couples’ Therapy

At one time or another every couple has difficulties with their relationship. Couples’ therapy gives you the opportunity to explore, understand and resolve difficulties that you have not been able to manage effectively on your own. The aim is for you to gain a better understanding of yourself and your partner, decide if you need and want to make changes and if so, how you might put these into action.

At the first session you will both be given an opportunity to share your experiences and how you view the relationship. We will identify your main areas of concern. We can then decide together on duration and frequency of sessions. Couples therapy sessions can be for 60 or 90 minutes depending on your needs.

My fee for couples’ therapy is $145 plus 5% GST per hour. I do have some concessions available for couples on low income.

Supervision

I offer supervision to practising Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Clinical supervision gives you the opportunity to explore in depth some of the complex issues which may arise between you and your clients and to ensure that you are working to appropriate levels of ethical and professional practice. My Integrative Relational approach of supervision views the working alliance between supervisor and therapist as being of primary importance in providing effective supervision.

My fee for a 1 hour supervision session is $150 plus 5% GST