Podcast

Counselling Insights

Nov 08, 2023

Episode 21: High Intensity Self Care
Vicki and Tom Walker dig into the connection between adverse childhood experiences and long-term patterns of holding stress. Tom shares his lifelong journey of understanding the impact of his own early life experiences of violence and substance abuse in his family, and his own deeply compassionate approach to supporting other first responders and helpers. Vicki and Tom explore what high intensity self-care can look like for any helper – an approach that can move us into releasing trauma and absorbed stress toward greater freedom and compassion. Read More
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Connecting with other counsellors is one of the most important pieces of ongoing professional development and self-care for anyone in a helping role.

Tune in once a month for authentic and insightful conversations on a variety of counselling topics. Subscribe to our newsletter or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to new episodes.

About the Host

Vicki (she/her) is a writer, trainer, and podcast host specializing in supporting counsellors and helping professionals, and she is the former Clinical Director of CTRI. Vicki has a private practice where she specializes in trauma healing for individuals, couples, and families. She holds a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree and is an Approved Supervisor with AAMFT and CAMFT. Vicki is also the editor and a contributing author of two CTRI books: Counselling Insights, Counselling in Relationships, and is a co-author of CTRI’s A Little Book about Trauma Informed Workplaces.

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Vicki Enns
CTRI Clinical Director, MMFT, RMFT
22 Results
Nov 08, 2023

Episode 21: High Intensity Self Care
Vicki and Tom Walker dig into the connection between adverse childhood experiences and long-term patterns of holding stress. Tom shares his lifelong journey of understanding the impact of his own early life experiences of violence and substance abuse in his family, and his own deeply compassionate approach to supporting other first responders and helpers. Vicki and Tom explore what high intensity self-care can look like for any helper – an approach that can move us into releasing trauma and absorbed stress toward greater freedom and compassion. Read More
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Oct 11, 2023

Episode 20: Self-Care Transformed
Vicki and Marwa Fadol share stories and excerpts from their upcoming book, Self-Care Transformed. They discuss their hope to bring new life to the concepts of self-care, wellness, and resilience. Going deeper into greater self-awareness, courage to acknowledge systemic stressors, and feel the deeper feelings, they share excerpts from their new book, along with personal experiences that have shaped their own journeys. Everyone is invited to the free book launch on November 27, noon-1PM CT! … Read More
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Sep 07, 2023

Episode 19: Land-Based Wellness Practices
Vicki and Melanie Bazin explore land-based wellness practices – a wholistic approach to healing and self-awareness. Melanie describes how to prepare ourselves as helpers to engage in these practices authentically and she gives examples of sessions such as work with youth she does at L’il Steps Wellness Farm. And they discuss how connecting with the land opens a reciprocal relationship of care and responsibility between ourselves and nature.  … Read More
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Aug 09, 2023

Episode 18: Seriously Therapeutic Play – Listening With More Than Our Ears
Vicki and Kristen Klassen discuss Seriously Therapeutic Play – using LEGO® bricks to build metaphorical models. They explore how this process helps us to think and listen differently and provides unique communication and problem-solving opportunities. Kristen gives examples of simple strategies any counsellor can use with a few toys to bring this process into the therapy room or a group conversation. … Read More
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Jul 12, 2023

Episode 17: Illustrating Vicarious Trauma – The Importance of Art and Play
Vicki and Rebecca Bloom explore vicarious trauma and why it’s gotten more intense for helpers since the pandemic. Rebecca delves into her book, Vicarious Trauma Illustrated, to provide a process for curiosity, reflection, awareness, and discovery about our own experiences of vicarious trauma. She also reminds us that our way out of stress and overwhelm is to dance and play with each other. Read More
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Jun 12, 2023

Episode 16: De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations
Vicki and Shelly Qualtieri discuss the process of de-escalating potentially violent situations and how we need to start by learning to de-escalate ourselves. Shelly explains how anger is a secondary emotion – the bodyguard to sadness and the protector to fear. They explore practical steps that can make a difference to calm both ourselves and others. Not only can we interrupt an escalation, but Shelly embodies a perspective that sees hope in these very situations toward possible deeper connection and healing. Read More
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May 11, 2023

Episode 15: Internal Family Systems – The Parts and Goals
Vicki and Michelle Gibson unpack the Internal Family Systems counselling model. Michelle describes how parts make up the internal systems of who we are, and how developing Self-energy is the foundation of healing. She also talks about her journey of learning many different counselling models to find her own personal approach to counselling.  … Read More
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Apr 13, 2023

Episode 14: Adverse Childhood Experiences – From Awareness to Freedom
Vicki and Jennifer Slay explore the research on adverse childhood experiences and discuss the power of greater awareness of one’s past life story to understand today’s behaviours and choices. Jennifer explains how what is happening in a child’s environment can create toxic stress that has ongoing impact on their developing brain and relationships. She also shares her resource to Slay Your Inner Critic as an example of moving toward more freedom and choice. Read More
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Mar 08, 2023

Episode 13: Dementia Care – Using Colour, Music, and More
Vicki and Family Therapist Wilma Schroeder discuss the growing area of dementia care. They explore a perspective shift from valuing others for their cognitive abilities, to valuing the whole person and relationship. Wilma shares many practical tips for enriching the life of someone living with symptoms of dementia, such as using colour and music, as well as key steps for family members and carers to attend to their own wellness. Wilma shares her hope for a future with dementia-friendly communities.  For further reading on dementia care read Wilma’s blog. Read More
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Feb 09, 2023

Episode 12: Burnout and Boundaries
Vicki and David Jung explore the experience of burnout in a counselling role and how we often only notice it once it has already arrived. They unpack David’s three key strategies to help notice signs of burnout sooner, and he describes learning how to say no and when to end toxic relationships. Read More
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Jan 12, 2023

Episode 11: Psychedelics and Counselling
Vicki and Kelly Smith discuss the growing interest and research around psychedelic-assisted counselling. Kelly describes what a typical process is like for a client at Field Trip Health where she works, and notes important considerations for when this is a safe and beneficial choice for someone. Kelly suggests ways any counsellor can increase their knowledge and support clients who might be curious about psychedelics. Read More
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Dec 08, 2022

Episode 10: Journaling for Client and Counsellor Wellness 
Vicki and International Association of Journal Writing Director Lynda Monk discuss the power of journaling both in a personal reflective practice and as a counselling resource. Lynda describes helpful structured steps for therapeutic journaling, as well as a range of ways to start journaling for burnout prevention and overall wellness. She also shares several helpful resources for people to get started, as well as an opportunity to access a free gift. Find her book, Life Source Writing, here. Read More
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