Susan Barron
MSW, RSW
(Therapist/Coach)

Renee Climans
MSW, RSW
(Therapist)

Encouraging
Strengths

"Clients are the main characters, the heroes and heroines of therapy. We are merely the supporting cast, at times only extras who bear witness to an unfolding story. Therapists are just resources clients use in their self-change efforts."

Recreating
Hope

Counselling for Creative Solutions:
A Wellness Approach

Our names are Susan Barron and Renee Climans. We are accomplished Social Workers (Masters of Social Work and Registered Social Workers) with extensive backgrounds in counselling/coaching with individuals, couples, families and groups. Our collaborative approach is guided by our clients. We begin by engaging the clients (individuals, couples, and families) and inviting them to tell their stories. Building on the clients' theory of change, we enable persons to create ideas in their self - change efforts and develop a plan toward the changes they are seeking.

We encourage self-reflective thinking, helping the person to process the emotional barriers to information processing and achieving preferred goals. We help clients move in their preferred direction and enable them to shift their views of themselves and their situations in a more positive frame. Our main premise is, "if it's not working, do something different". We acknowledge and validate feelings, thoughts and actions. We build on competencies and move away from pathology. Our focus is future oriented. We help people to have a different relationship with their conditions or situations and promote caring as opposed to curing.

We provide focused consultations rather than full comprehensive assessments. We co-construct meaning and help people give voice to what living with their situation/condition means to them. Relationship is significant to our work. Building mutually trusting relationships and therapeutic alliances is important. Our focus on relationships and creating understanding of the dynamic nature of relationships is what we believe makes us unique as therapists.

We impart an understanding of the connection between the body and emotions. Stressful life events such as death of someone close to us, job loss, caregiving, divorce and illness can compromise our health and lead to symptoms. We promote self-care strategies and a preventative, proactive approach to wellness.