Light beyond the horizon: a mindful counselling experience at Family Service Regina

Abstract

This report outlines my clinical counselling experience at Family Service Regina (FSR) within the Counselling Unit and the Thrive Walk-in Counselling Clinic. Within this report, there are two therapeutic approaches that are of primary focus: 1) trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy with both adults and children, and the use of 2) solution-focused therapy in both brief walk-in and extended counselling sessions. Both approaches were utilized in conjunction with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction activities. The theme of mindfulness emerged consistently, both professionally and personally, throughout this practicum setting. The benefits of being attachment focused, trauma-informed and antioppressive, and placing emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, were instrumental for my growth and development both personally and professionally throughout my time at Family Service Regina. A discussion about the prevention of burnout with the use of self-care strategies will also be included in this report, as this phenomenon becomes a reality for many counselling practitioners new to the field of social work. As a student counselling practitioner, my experiences with Family Service Regina will be highlighted and woven into this report to illustrate the therapeutic approaches noted above as I navigated working with clients and family systems during the practicum placement for my Master of Social Work degree.