Individual Counselling + Art Therapy.
The above poem aligns with my heart as a human in relationship with humans; as a professional that gets to share vulnerable space with journeying humans and as a person on my own journey individually and in connection with people, animals, land, and something bigger that I don’t have a name for but that I feel threaded through it all.
When you come to therapy, there can often be brought a conscious or unconscious need to be fixed or solved as if you are broken. Although I feel this desire (and/or the repulsion of it) in my bones, I do not believe you are broken or that anything is wrong with you. I do believe that something might have happened to you and I believe in, and want to understand better, your individual experience… AND, I believe in you. As a therapist, I am not the expert of you nor do I hold your inner knowing. I will journey with you, providing offerings or suggestions as they align, perhaps dismantling some stamps or labels that leave little room for change or growth you/we may have internalized from larger systems and agendas that do not know or trust your/our inner wisdom. All with the possibility of having you feel heard, witnessed, believed, and metaphorically held so that YOU can find/feel the illuminating light within and possibly direction or the next step in your journey forward.
*The gorgeous and heart connected poem, The Medicine Woman’s Prayer, was gifted to me from the wonderful Carmen Richardson (of the Prairie Instite of Expressive Arts Therapy - http://www.pieat.ca/ ) + reminds me of the beautiful offerings + learning/unlearning I am grateful to have done with Chantai Minet - linktr.ee/chantaiminetpsychology
Individuals.
In private practice, I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults and adults.
It’s important to me to model secure attachment and to offer pertinent and creative interventions. My holistic approach acknowledges an individual’s courage, resiliency and inner resources as part of their unique journey.
I believe in trusting in the PACE it takes to work on whatever is coming up for an individual. I consistently notice, and will often transparently acknowledge, that taking the first step to reach out for therapy (even if you’ve been before) is courageous. Having many thoughts and feelings about beginning (again) this work like nervousness, pain, or excitement for change are all normal experiences. You don’t have to know what to do next or show up having to change anything immediately. I will hold a skillful and safe space for whatever is needed in your journey (and will connect you with the appropriate resources that may assist in our work or may be a better fit for your needs).
*All services are currently offered online
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
―
-Brené Brown
Family Systems.
When working with children, adolecents and young adults I believe in considering the family systems perspective. Some of this work might be less hands on and not involve meeting with or including family members directly (in these instances the family system and attachment history will still be considered/discussed as part of individual work).
Other times, there may be more direct work with a family system focusing on supporting the primary individual that is accessing therapy (the child, adolescent or young adult). I’m happy to refer family members to other health care professionals if they find they need their own therapeutic support outside of focusing on the primary individual.
*All services are currently offered online
Working Directly With a
Family System.
Ultimately my hope in working with family systems is to hold mindful and connective therapeutic space alongside individuals and their families so all can feel safe, understood and heard. I believe that individual and familial healing and empowerment leads to greater wellness for individuals, families, communities and future generations.
Touch-Ins or Updates. Frequent or Infrequent (as approved and discussed with me and the primary individual accessing services - pending confidentiality processes that are always discussed). These can take place with the child, adolescent or young adult present or not; over the phone, text, email and/or in booked family meetings/creative sessions
Parent Coaching. This can be be independent of or in addition to individual work. To discuss, validate and encourage what parents or guardians are already doing that is working and to offer additional tools and skills needed to support their child and the therapeutic work in progress (over email, phone, text and/or in planned parent/guardian sessions)
Individuals Connecting to the Family System. Sessions with a focus on supporting an individual in connecting to the family system inside or outside of session. For specific or general contexts or as part of therapy homework or home-play (the playful term for continuing creative practices at home).
Collaborative Family Systems Work with other Specialists. This can look like me as an individual’s primary therapist and another therapist or helping professional supporting parents/guardians through parent coaching etc. and this can work vice versa.
Rates:
1 hour - $150
1.5 hours - $225
*Often 1.5 hours is desired for deepening creative interventions
**1.5 + 2 hour options are helpful for EMDR services (we can discuss further when we meet)
***As a Certified Canadian Counsellor (C.C.C.) + Counselling Therapist, Many insurance providers cover my services. It depends on the provider and individual package. More providers will likely be covering my services as a Counselling Therapist soon because our field is in the midst of regulation with the Collage of Alberta Psychologists.
Current Availability (for individual and family sessions):
Wednesdays - within the time frames of 1-9pm
Thursdays - limited availability + booked directly through me
Fridays - within the time frames of 11:00am-5pm
Saturdays - within the time frames of 10-5:30pm
*Additional times/days will be updated as they become available (TBA)
**My schedule will be changing this fall, 2024, and Saturdays will no longer be available for booking (TBA)
Session Format:
Sessions are online, offered within a virtual office/studio setting
In-Person outdoor walk + talk + art sessions are additionally available (at a specified location + pending weather - I have a dog that enjoys joining these sessions and can upon request/if it fits your or your child’s therapeutic needs)
*Stay tuned for details about an upcoming trial that will provide limited in-person/in-office sessions alongside continuing above offerings
EXCITING UPDATE:
Bree Zimmerman is a graduate student joining the Michelle Dyer Counselling + Art Therapy practice for the 2023/2024 year (September - May)
About Bree
Bree is currently working with clients as a Master of Counselling Psychology student under the supervision of Michelle Dyer - MC:AT, C.C.C., RCAT. I’m working towards becoming certified as a professional licensed counsellor and am interested in incorporating art therapy into her practice and seeking further certification after I graduate. Currently, she’s a practicing artist and photographer. she has experience working with diverse populations in a supportive role as a volunteer for Studio C in Calgary, helping to facilitate art classes that help individuals with their mental health, build on essential skills and allow a space for connection. She has also spent time at the Drop-In Centre as an Adult Care worker, supporting those experiencing homelessness since 2015. She believes in a holistic approach to well-being that incorporates talk therapy, art therapy and other modalities such as nature-based/ecotherapy, mindfulness-based techniques and a good dose of laughter. She looks forward to providing a diverse range of clients with both counselling and/or art therapy approaches in an innovative, collaborative and playful way.
Counselling/Art Therapy Referrals
Bree is currently accepting individual counselling and art therapy referrals, under the supervision of Canadian Certified Counsellor + Registered Canadian Art Therapist, Michelle Dyer.
Location: Bree will also be practicing in the Michelle Dyer Counselling and Art Therapy virtual office + studio AND offering walk + talk + art options available.
Cost: Free of charge for individuals, couples, and families for 1 hour sessions
(Some material costs may be required and will be discussed ahead of time)
Please Contact: Bree Zimmerman at thewildyou@gmail.com or get in touch with Michelle Dyer for booking options
“Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities.”
― Kristin Neff