Kathleen Johnston, MA

Kathleen Johnston, MA is a Registered Clinical Counselor with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counselors. She offers psychotherapy/clinical counseling to individuals seeking to resolve problems interfering with an individual's emotional health, relationships, or ability to be productive in life. While many people manage to overcome problems on their own, when that process breaks down a professional counselor can help. 

If you are wondering about the difference between psychotherapy and coaching, they are discrete professions with separate skill sets. Coaching begins in the present and is focused on moving the client forward to his or her desired goals. It is about designing the future not getting over the past.

In contrast, psychotherapy focuses on resolving psychological problems that often are a result of the client's past experiences.  We then use that information to better understand and resolve current issues. A general rule is that while a therapist may sometimes act like a coach, a coach never plays the role of a therapist.

What topics does counseling cover?

In counseling, we can talk about any topic that is troubling you. For example, you might be feeling stressed, anxious or depressed about something.  Or maybe you're approaching burnout. We can address the symptoms you are feeling (the stress, anxiety, burnout or depression) as well as the underlying issues that may have caused those symptoms (such as relationships, self-image or distressing life situations). 

Many of Kathleen's counselling clients are experiencing severe stress overload as a result of career-life issues that have become overwhelming.  Counselling is a problem-solving process. Counselling helps people identify what they have tried to do to solve problems and operates from the premise that there are always innovative options to be explored.

My approach to counseling

My worldview, as both a registered clinical counselor and a trained coach, is that each of us has been blessed with free will, the ability to reason, and the ability to make choices about how we live our lives. This is the basis from which I view the circumstances of my clients' lives. 

As a therapist I believe that it is neither helpful nor empowering to support feelings of victimization or helplessness in people. Obviously there are some events, trials and tribulations that are more difficult than others.  But so often it is our attitude about these things that determines whether we heal, cope and move on, or give up in despair.

The therapy models from which I work are a combination of cognitive behavioral theory, solution-focused counseling, and family systems theory.

To determine whether therapy may be helpful to you, try asking yourself these questions:

• Do you want to get an objective point of view to help sort out problems, difficulties, decisions?
• Have you tried to help yourself but the problem is still there?
• Have you experienced unwanted life changes and found that your usual coping skills are not working?
• Do you believe it's time to work through (rather than around) past hurts, relationships, or negative life situations?
• Are you concerned about issues that are too intimate to discuss with friends and family?

It is important to remember that sometimes a personal, one-on-one non-judgmental approach is needed and a caring professional therapist can help you find the solutions that will work best for you.

Do you think counseling might help you?   

If so, please give me a call or email for a complimentary consultation.  I'll explain how counseling works and answer any questions you have. You can get a sense of me and my style, and see if we are a "good fit".  Then you can decide if you'd like to move forward.