"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Viktor Frankl.
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BS in Psychology from Freed-Hardeman University.
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MS in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from Freed-Hardeman University.
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Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) in good standing through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
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Registered member with The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) holding the title permit of Counselling Therapist. ACTA is the precursor to the upcoming College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA) which will be included in the Health Professions Act.
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Over 11 years experience in the counselling profession working in inpatient and outpatient environments.
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Trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Certified EMDR training, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness practices and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
People have described Eric as,"compassionate, respectful and having a curiosity to learn about others"
My Counselling Journey:
My journey as a counsellor began back in Mississippi, USA, where I worked as a counsellor in an outpatient mental health clinic serving men and women. During that time I would also work as a mobile therapist, visiting people in their homes and working together with families to provide therapy. I organized and facilitated powerful andf dynamic anger management groups. I also performed psychiatric evaluations at a local hospital to assess whether a patient required long-term inpatient support. During my time there, I provided therapy for residents of a nursing home and worked with men and women involved in an acute partial hospitalization program.
At one point I transitioned to working in an inpatient treatment centre for substance abuse and mental health-related concerns. During this time I got married and had an opportunity to travel to New Zealand with my wife for an extended holiday…. a joyous time unlike any other!
I have served in the past as a Clinical Counsellor and Supervisor for new clinicians in a private treatment centre in Calgary. I had the privilege of supporting men and women struggling with their substance use and mental health concerns. I've witnessed the strength and resiliency that arises when people discover their true selves. It is my privilege to now be a part of the team at Safe Haven Counselling and walk alongside clients seeking their own healing journey.
I live in South Calgary with my wife and enjoy biking on the Fish Creek Park pathways. There are so many uncharted paths to discover on the trails just like life itself.
My Counselling Approach
I have advanced training and experience in ART - Accelerated Resolution Therapy. I also draw from many different treatment approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, motivational interviewing, and expressive arts. I aim to be collaborative with my clients in constructing treatment goals that will best meet their needs for therapy.
I believe that a client-centred approach is important as it provides the client a voice that deserves to be heard in the treatment process. A client-centered approach reminds me of what Jon Kabat-Zinn, known as the founder of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), stated in regarding having a beginner’s mind: “In the mind of the expert they say there are very few possibilities, but in the beginner’s mind there are infinite possibilities because we come to it fresh.”
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Please see the section on "EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy" to find out more about this unique and effective intervention option
My aim is to join into therapy with my clients in a fresh, creative, inviting, and empathic way.
A Note on the Counselling Journey
I was given the following metaphor by a fellow colleague and I found it insightful. I’ve changed it some, but the core remains intact:
“Learning more about ourselves is like two people being in different parts of a house. One person sees the living room for what it is while the other stays in the kitchen and sees that area for what it is. A person will have to move to encounter the opposite room.”
Counselling is a tool that can open up blind spots about certain ‘rooms’ we don’t know much about or perhaps didn’t even know were there in the first place. What was once blind is now open. What was once secret is now laid out and explored. In counselling this takes active engagement, vulnerability, perseverance, and being gentle with yourself.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better. Let me know how I can help you in your own journey of self-discovery.
