William Cooke and Associates Counselling and Psychotherapy
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Career Transition Adventures: From Engineer to Counsellor in Private Practice

12/5/2015

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Like many of our career counselling clients, our associate Rhea Plosker is creating a unique life and career transition for herself. Six years ago, she returned to University to start a Master of Counselling degree part-time while still working in her first career as an Engineer and project consultant in health care and not-for-profit organizations. 

Rhea joined William Cooke and Associates in January 2013 as a post-graduate intern, and became an associate with the practice in January 2014. 

Rhea has been blogging about her Adventures in Private Practice for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Her story makes interesting reading for clients wishing to learn about another's career transition and for counsellors and counselling students considering a career in private practice. 


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What to expect from your first counselling session

28/1/2015

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Our clients have described the first session as a "professional, collaborative consultation."  We put our heads together with you to understand the problem that has come into your life and we begin to map out ways that your relationship with that problem can be changed for the better.  Common problems include:  problems with mood (depression or anxiety); problems in a relationship (conflicts, broken trust, concerns about intimacy and closeness, violence); problems stemming from recent or past traumatic events; family conficts (with children, teens or parents); some form of addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography); problems at work (conflicts, need for a change, returning to work after a leave); challenges with education or career planning, or a general state of unhappiness.

Prior to your first appointment, we will communicate with you by phone or email and send you a client information form which you can fill out and bring to the first session.  _If you are meeting at our office, we will provide directions on how to get there by car or public transit.  Your appointment time, fee, extended health coverage and payment options will all be confirmed in advance. 

Our office at 2133 Bloor Street West in Toronto is located in a warm and welcoming century home. The owner, Andrew Grenda, operates Paris Hair Salon on the main floor.  You will take some external and internal stairs to our second floor offices, where you will find a waiting area with a washroom.  We provide water, and there are many coffee shops in the area if you would like to bring a coffee or tea with you.

In our first meeting, we get to know one another.  We invite any questions you have about the counselling process, how we work, who we are, our backgrounds or approaches.  We ask you what has you thinking that counselling might be helpful at this time in your life or relationship.  We learn what you may have tried already to address your concern - what has worked and what hasn't.  We learn how you want life to be different, and why.

As the session concludes, we will summarize our understanding of what brings you to counselling, what outcomes you hope for and where you see counselling fitting in.  We will let you know if we believe that we have the expereince and skills needed to help you.  We share a preliminary map of the counselling process we anticipate and how long it might take.  We discuss fees and budgets.  We invite you to go home, review the experience, and let us know if you'd like to proceed with a follow-up appointment.

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William Cooke & Associates Counselling Approach

20/1/2015

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     We are proud of our collaborative counselling practice. Collectively, we have expertise in many therapeutic approaches that you might have heard of, including Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness practices, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Family Systems therapy.
    What do you need to know about the therapeutic approach used at William Cooke & Associates, and what can you expect when you come to see us?

    1. We work to create a healing forum that is safe and productive.  We will treat you with the same respect and courtesy that we expect to receive when we are seeking professional help.  We will respect your time and your privacy.  We will will listen with care and consult without judgement or 'agendas' for your life.

2. We respect that you are the expert in your own life:  We understand that you have skills, values, goals, resources, abilities, beliefs, and commitments that can help you overcome the influence of problems in your life.  We will be curious and ask you questions to help put you put words to hidden stories of your life highlighting values, strength, possibility, and hope.  We will offer observations and ideas for your consideration, while always respecting that you will decide what steps are the right ones to take in your life.

3. You are not your problem:  We avoid referring to a person as a problem, such as "He is depressed."  Rather, we believe that our problems can be separated from us, and we will work with you to see problems for what they are, and how they are influencing your life. "When did depression first come into your life?"

4. We are expert in process.  Once we are able to see clearly the difference between person and problem and understand how and why a person or a couple desires to live and relate differently, we provide  'maps' for healing and new skills for living and relating.  We support you in making desired changes.
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How do I find the right counsellor for my needs? Read William's interview with the Toronto Star....

20/1/2015

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Finding the right counsellor can be a difficult thing. We recognize that clients are often looking for help at the most difficult and vulnerable times in their lives. We have put together a list of resources that might help you find the help that you need and decide if we may be the right fit for you. We welcome any questions you might have for us at info@williamcooke.ca or at 416.762.0330. 

William was interviewed for an article by Amy Brown-Bauers, published in the Toronto Star:  How to find a therapist.

The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association has developed a website called Talking Can Help to assist you select the right counsellor for your needs. 

For those seeking grief counselling, Bereaved Families of Ontario has put together a web page How to Choose a Counsellor.
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Practice Reflections for 2014

15/12/2014

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We have a tradition of sending out cards each December to our clients, friends and colleagues.  We include a meditation and newsletter of Practice Reflections.  Here is a summary of our 2014 edition.

If our counselling practice were an orchestra, we would have three sections corresponding to brass, woodwinds and strings:  the counselling section, the supervision section and the education section.  

Counselling.  Since the practice began in 1996, individual, couple and family counselling has been the centre of the work.  We consult with clients on a broad range of mental health concerns, with specialized interest and training in work with couples, those who mourn, workplace issues and increasingly with teens, young adults and their families.  

Supervision.  In 2009 William completed the accreditation to become an Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Since that time he has provided clinical supervision to practicing Social Workers and to AAMFT members working towards acreditation as Clinical Fellows.  Beginning this past January, William has provided group supervision to the Social Work team of the Regional Cancer Program at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie.  

Education.  We have a strong, ongoing interest and commitment to education. This past year our 'classroom' included supervisees as well as colleagues who attended workshops on Narrative Therapy and Grief.  In January 2014, we welcomed Rhea Plosker, as a first Post-Graduate counselling intern. Rhea is now an associate working within the practice.

All of us at William Cooke & Associates would like to wish our clients and friends the very best for 2015 and to share with you our December 2014 newsletter and  a Winter meditation. 
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Returning to work after a mental health leave: BRIEF Symposium Seminar led by Rhea Plosker

28/7/2014

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Rhea led a seminar titled "Many Happy Returns: Returning to Work After a Mental Leave" at the annual BRIEF Symposium held by the Center for Brief Coaching at the University of Toronto. 

At William Cooke & Associates, we see many clients experiencing workplace challenges. An ill-fitting workplace might bring anxiety or depression to our lives, or other life events might bring the need for changes at work. We work with our clients providing counselling and psychotherapy services as well as career counselling and coaching support for workplace concerns.

Rhea Plosker brings a unique perspective to our practice around workplace concerns, as she started her counselling and psychotherapy career after more than two decades as a corporate technology executive and independent consultant. 


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    Categories

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    Career Counselling
    Choosing A Counsellor
    Education
    Grief Counselling
    Practice Information

    William Cooke

    is a Registered Social Worker. He started William Cooke & Associates in 1996. 

    Rhea Plosker

    is a Certified Canadian Counsellor. She has been an associate with William Cooke & Associates since 2014.

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