At our humble little nonprofit, we are fortunate to have a diverse, talented team of 4 (and a half!) counsellors to support survivors in the Saskatoon and area. While each of our team members operate under the same Code of Ethics and theoretical principles, they all have their own little individual flavours and styles. Take a read through what they have to say about our counselling services at SSAIC:
Ashton
Counselling at SSAIC sometimes feels like a warm cup of soup on a cold day. It also sometimes feels like your belt is a little tight and while you know your pants are secure and won’t fall down, it’s uncomfortable.
When a person comes to SSAIC for counselling, they can expect to be met with counsellors who are kind, soft, quirky and smart and who are truly honored to get you started or meet you in the middle and walk alongside you on your healing journey.
I feel excited and grateful to welcome all past, present and future survivors and may you trust that you’re in good company.
Joelle
Counselling of any kind can be really scary. The thought of telling a complete stranger about some of the worst times in your life is often enough to make most people say “nope, that’s not for me.” At SSAIC we want you to know that you’re safe here. We meet you where you’re at and work our way up to the tough stuff when you are ready.
Some days we do really good work and connect past events to current behaviours. Other days we vent about how much the pandemic sucked, how the weather is never predictable, or how the justice system just isn’t fair. We laugh, we cry, we get angry, and we heal. It’s a process with no definite beginning or end. The first step is making the call, then the rest is up to you.
Sarah
My therapeutic orientation is integrative, client centered and trauma informed. When I reflect on what counselling looks like at SSAIC, three words come to mind – inclusive, supportive and understanding. We are sex positive and knowledgable on traditional and non traditional relationships. The SSAIC counselling team creates an environment where people can find the right “fit” and feel safe to share their stories, feel heard and understand that their voice is valued, important and believed. We also love to laugh and bring humour to healing whenever we can!
When someone chooses to come to SSAIC for counselling they can expect that they will be welcomed and believed, they will be given the space to share/or not share their story on their terms. As a client you will always be the “boss” in session and we hope that you feel in control of your healing journey.
Megan
When people learn I’m a counsellor at the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre the responses vary, but most share a common theme of concern: “Wow, that must be so hard.” “How do you do it?” “I would be so sad and so angry.” The reality is: this work is difficult, and the stories I hear are painful.
While I absolutely get angry, for me counseling at SSAIC is about hope and healing and creating change. SSAIC counseling sessions and groups are filled with as much laughter as they are tears. Pain is witnessed, anger is validated, and humans heal. So yeah, my job is tough, but it’s also pretty cool.
