Elaine Connolly, RCC, MA

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Master’s in Counselling Psychology

I use counselling methods that are research-based and incorporate your needs and goals for therapy into a holistic counseling approach. Having a “holistic” counseling approach means that I believe all your unique systems and conditions (physical, mental, emotional, social/relational, familial, occupational, present and historical) are important to consider within the therapeutic setting. I am client-centered, focusing on your inherent strengths and preferred outcomes or goals for therapy. Sometimes, particularly when we are struggling, it is hard for us to acknowledge or detect our assets. Within our core there is a pure and powerful self that holds tremendous wisdom, connection, wellness, and embraces the abundant flow of our life’s offerings. Uncovering what may be blocking your access to this internal resource will be discovered and gradually accessed throughout the course of therapy. You are the expert on your life, your unique experiences and circumstances. By working collaboratively to explore and amplify your inner resources and strengths, we will discover effective solutions for enhancing your growth and well-being. Practical tools, skills and exercises are offered in order to create real and lasting change in your day-to-day life outside of therapy sessions.

Elaine never judged me and helped me to figure out my own answers instead of just telling me what to do and how to do it all the time.  I really needed that because I was worried about hurting my parent’s feelings, but always felt torn between them and my step-parents, and all the stuff going on at school.” K.S. Port Coquitlam

I have training and special interest in: Interpersonal Neurobiology, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness Stress Reduction, EMDR and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I work with individuals, couples, adolescents, families and groups. When assisting families I use narrative, play and art therapy to help children express and process their feelings and experiences. I work closely with parents to develop effective parenting, attachment and communication skills.

I can help individuals, couples and families address and improve coping with:

• Panic, Stress and Anxiety Disorders
• Depression
• Trauma
• Relationship Struggles
• Grief, Bereavement and Loss
• Conflict & Anger Management
• Burnout & Workplace Stress
• Parenting/Family Challenges
• Life Changes: Separation, Job Transitions, Retirement, Relocation

Therapy sessions often weave between current issues, relevant past influences, and our examination of your goals, strengths, beliefs, and values. By developing effective communication skills, creative resources and mindfulness-based practices, you will cultivate resilience and good decision-making to enhance your life, well-being and quality of relationships.

Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others.
- HARRIET GOLDHOR LERNER

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.
- M. SCOTT PECK