ABOUT Cindy Fisher

 Counselling Philosophy

My counselling philosophy is based on the belief that you have within yourself the ability to grow and heal. You are the expert in your own life. Only you can know for yourself what feels right or what works well.

Counselling Services

As a counsellor and workshop leader, my role is to help you gain insight and understanding into yourself, your relationships, and your situation so that you can discover your own solutions.

Sometimes in life you might find that you don't have all the necessary knowledge or coping skills to deal effectively with what comes your way. At these times, I offer education, coping skills and strategies, and resources, that can help you overcome obstacles and remove barriers to get to where you are going.

Over the years, I have studied a number of counselling models, which have melded into one cohesive approach. I offer a combination of cognitive-behavioural, insight-oriented, solution-focussed, narrative, psycho-educational and energy-based approaches.

Areas of Practice

I offer counselling and workshops that help you …

– reclaim your life from pain, injury or illness

– reduce depression, anxiety and panic

– develop relaxation skills

– manage anger more effectively

– sleep better

– recover from accident or injury trauma

– deal with driving anxiety after a car accident

– reduce stress

– move through loss

– return to work or deal with not returning to work

Formal Education

1984 - 1986  Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology
                       Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario

1980 - 1984  Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree (Psychology)
                       Queens University, Kingston, Ontario

Specialized Training

2008

~  Mental Health Conference - WorkSafe BC

~  Treating Chronic Pain - Ronald Siegel, Psy.D (www.backsense.org)

2007

~  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Dr. Luoma & Dr. LeJeune

~  Where Does It Hurt? Pain Relief In Older Persons - Dr. Alan Berkman

~  The Ethical Dilemmas No One Talks About - M. Barrett, MSW

~  Adam Dreamhealer - 1 day workshop with Adam

~  Four Minute Fitness - Dr. Keith Jeffery (www.4minutefitness.com)

~  Chronic Pain and Opioids - Physician Video Conference

~  From Trauma to Transformation - 2 days with Dr. Stephen Gilligan

2006

~  Bridging Art and Science in Psychotherapy - John Gottman; Francine Shapiro; John Kabat-Zin; Belleruth Naparstek; Paul Pearsall; Salvador Minuchin

~  Mental Health Conference - Worksafe BC

~  Topics in Addiction - Edgewood Treatment Centre

~  Train the Trainer - 4 days through Peak Potentials (www.peakpotentials.com)

~  The Rhythms and Power of Listening - Don Campbell (Author of "The Mozart Effect")

2005

~  The Sedona Method - Hale Dwoskin

~  Advances in Trauma Treatment - Dr. Christine Courtois

~  Jin Shin Do - Bodymind Acupressure Course with Doreen Bakstad (www.jinshindo.com)

~  Bad Couples Therapy: How to Avoid Doing It - Dr. William Doherty

~  Healing From the Body Level Up - Dr. Judith Swack (www.hblu.org)

2004

~  Great Sex for Life - Krisanna Jeffery (www.greatsexforlifetoolkit.com)

~  The Success Principles - Jack Canfield (www.thesuccessprinciples.com)

~  Take Control of Your Health - Brenda Eastwood, RNCP (www.brendaeastwood.com)

~  Pain Conference - 2nd Annual Joint Conference with the American Pain Society and Canadian Pain Society

2003

~  Seemorg Matrix Work - Asha Clinton (www.seemorgmatrix.org)

~  Stop Walking on Eggshells: Productive Therapy with Teens - Dr. Janet Edgette

~  Emotional Freedom Process - Phillip Warren

~  Professional Ethics and Standards - B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors

2002

~  Grief and Loss - Gail Boulanger, RCC (Author of "Life Goes On")

~  Acupressure in the Treatment of Pain

~  Be Set Free Fast - (www.besetfreefast.com)

2001

~  Emotional Freedom Technique - (www.emofree.com)

~  Solution-Oriented Therapy - 2 days with Dr. Bill O'Hanlon

~  Instructor's Toolbox: Choosing and Using Appropriate Activities - Janice Johnson, MA

2000

~  Violence, Language and Responsibility - Dr. Alan Wade

~  Therapy with Impossible Cases - Dr. Scott Miller

~  Tapas Acupressure Technique - (www.tatlife.com)

~  Work-Ready Workshop - Soft Tissue Injuries - CARP (www.carpnational.org)

~  Attachment Disorders - Mary Dunstan, RCC

~  Trauma Debriefing and Defusing - 2 days at The Justice Institute (www.jibc.bc.ca)

1999

~  Pain Management Training - Lianne Walker, MA

~  Solution-Focussed Therapy - 2 days with Insoo Kim Berg

1998

~  The Morals and Ethics of Counselling - Jean L. Pettifor

~  Teaching Adults Effectively - Malaspina University-College

1996

~  Innovations in Cognitive Therapy - 2 days with Dr. Christine Padesky (www.padesky.com)

1995

~  Integrating Solution-Based and Narrative Therapies - Dr. Bill O'Hanlon

1992

~  Presentation Skills for Professionals - William H. Tranter

1991

~  Teaching Adult Learners - Barbara Angeconeb, M.Ed.

•  1997 - Present
    Operate Fisher Counselling Services in Parksville, British Columbia.
    Author of 4 CDs for relaxation, pain management and sleep enhancement.
    Present community-based workshops on a variety of topics.
    Write an article for the quarterly MS Newsletter.

•  1998 - Present
    Consulting Counsellor to Summit Injury Management (pain rehab program).

•  2002 - 2004
    Consulting Counsellor to the Workability Program (pain rehab program).

•  1986 - 1997
    Worked at three Mental Health Clinics in Ontario offering individual counselling,
    groups, workshops and case management.
    Part of a CISD team counselling survivors of a plane crash and providing
    debriefings throughout Northern Ontario.
    Taught at Community Colleges.

Professional Membership

BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Registered Clinical Counsellor #1147
 

Return to Top