Jon Dickson

Asking yourself questions like these: Is this authentic for me? Can I be me? Am I allowed to be myself? What is life asking me at this time?

These important Life questions are openings, invitations, and horizons for possible discovery, often during times of immense change and transition. This can be a frightening, exciting, draining, and confusing time, all at once. What is holding you back? It may be time to look closer.

As a counsellor-psychotherapist, I have heard many times some version of: “It’s a relief to be here, to talk and not feel judged”. How much energy goes into holding the weight of the world’s judgement on ourselves? Is there not another way? We long for the space and freedom to be our True Self.

A professional counselling relationship can be a space to learn or re-discover the resilience and permission to really be ourselves. It can also serve as a profound corrective experience for a life that has been lived in a highly protective and defensive way.

In my practice, I strive to create a safe enough space to allow the natural courage and hidden resources necessary for a client’s growth, healing, and maturation to emerge. When called for, I am unafraid to go into the depths with my client’s, to linger there as long as the Soul needs, supporting the healthy risk taking necessary to re-emerge fortified and transformed on the other side.

I believe in the sufficiency and multiple intelligences each person is born with. I work co-creatively with individuals in developing uniquely tailored treatment plans to meet the diverse needs of my clients. Trauma trained and informed, and I inhabit a blend of empathetic concern with an edge of compassionate coaching, because it takes a delicate balance of care and encouragement to support true learning and integrated lifestyle change.

I offer counselling support for addictions and problematic substance use, difficulties with mood (anxiety/depression/stress) and negative thinking, grief/loss, and behavioural change. I’m interested in supporting folks who feel blocked in their creativity, relationships, work-life and performance.

I am drawn to the therapeutic benefits of supporting clients in understanding their habits, beliefs, and personality structure, while encouraging both acceptance and commitment to sustained change. Therapy is an opportunity to try something completely new because what was working isn’t anymore.

I also specialize in working with adults who are living with unresolved trauma, developmental trauma, or complex PTSD symptoms and their recovery.

I have a special interest in working therapeutically with Psychedelics and plant medicines (Ketamine, MDMA, Ayahuasca, DMT, Psilocybin), and integrating these experiences with clients who choose this avenue. I have participated in ceremonial communities for the past decade and am currently undertaking formal Psychedelic Psychotherapy training.

I am informed by my work-life experience in health authorities, First Nations communities, treatment facilities, a career as an exercise therapist, devoted yoga and meditation practice/teaching, my own therapy, and enthusiasm for uncageing the inner artist, warrior and healer in myself and others.

We can do this.