Getting to Know Your Counsellor: Heather Mitchell
The counsellors at Peak Resilience work from a human-first approach to counselling. We believe in the power of being real humans who are authentic and vulnerable - just like you. This led to our blog post series called "Getting to Know Your Counsellor", where we'll feature our counsellors answering questions so you can:
1) get to know us better, and
2) hopefully feel even more safe/comfortable when you come in for counselling.
Q: What is your favourite thing about being a counsellor?
A: There are SO many things I love about being a counsellor! I feel like I really hit the career jackpot. If I had to choose one, I would say my favourite thing about being a counsellor is the connection I get to have to the people sitting across from me. Vulnerability fosters connection and I think coming into a counselling space talking about the hard stuff is one of the most courageous ways that can be done. I feel beyond grateful to be a part of that process and I am lucky that I get to witness people at their most raw and real.
On the flipside, I also love that I get to see the good stuff. I think the nature of counselling is that it is meant to be a safe space to talk about the darkness, but I also get to be a part of people’s light. There is something so wonderful about that contrast that motivates me to take care of myself, too.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming to counselling?
A: I often tell people that they are never shackled to their chair and they don’t have to commit to a counsellor or counselling. I think sometimes counselling can feel like an obligation, and it doesn’t have to be. If someone is curious about going to counselling it is totally okay to try on different counsellors until they find the right fit.
I’d also tell them that they are in the driver’s seat throughout the counselling process. I think it is important people know they get to call the shots as clients and they are the ones with all the power.
Q: What is your favourite thing about working at Peak Resilience?
A: The people and the importance placed on counsellor self-care. It is really empowering to genuinely be able to do what I need to do to take care of myself and it is not lost on me how challenging that work-life balance can be to find without support from a bomb-ass team.
Q: What is your favourite color?
A: Lilac
Q: What do you love about living in Vancouver?
A: The abundance of yoga and coffee shops, and the closeness to the ocean and mountains. I also love that I can walk out my front door and get ice cream in 5 minutes, though that may be a blessing and a curse.
Q: What is a goal you have for yourself right now?
A: I have been working on spending less time on social media, which has been both challenging and rewarding. I was noticing that I was feeling crummy about myself if I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and falling into the comparison trap, so I have been bringing awareness into the time I spend on my cellphone.
I do genuinely believe that social media can be important for advocacy, connection, and sometimes a good belly laugh, so it has been more about finding balance and awareness in what I am tuning into rather than completely shutting social media out of my life. For me, it really boils down to mindfulness and spending time doing things that bring me joy.
Q: How do you practice self-care?
A: My favourite things to do are yoga, snowboarding, being anywhere near a body of water, and watching live music; but those can be challenging for me to find time and energy for. I’m much more likely to watch some bad reality TV, have a bubble bath with a mug of tea, and be in bed by 10:30.
Q: What is the best advice someone has given you?
A: People are often much more resilient than they give themselves credit for. I think it applies personally and professionally.
Q: What is a myth about counselling?
A: That going to counselling means you are “weak” or have “failed”. I think it takes a lot of strength and courage to come to counselling and it’s far from a failure.
Q: What ‘theory’ of counselling do you practice?
A: I pull from a few depending on what would be best for the client in the moment, but my “core” theory is Emotion Focused Therapy. The reason I love it so much is because it rings true for me in so many ways. I strongly believe that our emotions give us important information and sometimes we just need a space where we can safely explore what we are feeling to be able to listen to what we need.
Interested in knowing more about Heather? You can check out her profile, watch her intro video, or send her an email at heather@peak-resilience.com.
If you’re still not sure who might be a good fit for you, you can also fill out our GET MATCHED Form - we'll match you with the best counsellor for you within 24 hours.