Joel Martinflatt

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Children/Youth: When working with children and youth they can require a slightly different approach than sit-down talk counselling. I incorporate play, activity, art and nature into my sessions as movement and activities assist children/youth in working through emotions and the “the tough stuff”. Kids are not mini-adults, their brains are still under construction and counselling needs to be geared towards their stage of development.  I also engage young people by incorporating their interests into the sessions, so we have fun while working!  I have experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety depression, acting out behaviours, grief and loss, self-esteem, school issues, foster care and adoption experiences and other experiences of trauma.

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Men: Depression, burnout, stress, anger, low self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, grief, guilt, depression, and suicidal thoughts are a range of emotions that many men feel.  By working together on identifying your feelings and strengthening communication skills we can help you work towards being a more confident person, dad, and or partner.  It can sometimes be hard for men to reach out…. I get that.  I can provide a safe, honest, and real environment where we can tackle the hard stuff.

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Couples & Relationship Issues: Relationships can be hard work.  However, establishing healthy communication to better understand your patterns, what past wounds you bring and how to move forward in a positive direction is the goal of our time together.  My sessions are a safe place for LGBTQ+ 2 spirit folks as well as a diverse range of relationship types.

For those couples who are navigating separation and divorce, I can assist with creating parenting and communication plans and navigating through this next stage in your journey in a calm and purposeful way.

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Individuals: When working with you I want you to know that I see your strength and resilience.  I have a holistic approach which means I see the whole person and we can work together to create a plan based on dignity, compassion and respect.  Areas that I can assist you in are depression, anxiety, loss, childhood trauma, relating to others or the stress of life.  I also have training in supporting individuals with body-focused repetitive behaviours.

 

Therapeutic Modalities:

• Activity and play-based modalities

• Strength-based or Asset-based model

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Attachment Therapy

• Solution Focused Therapy

• Person-Centered

• Complex Trauma Interventions

• Psychodynamic approaches

• Mediation approaches

 

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Education:

 

• Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care with a specialization in Child Protection- The University of Victoria

• Masters in Social Work- York University

• Post Graduate Certificate in Complex Trauma-Justice Institute of British Columbia

 

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I am a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and a registered Social Worker with the BCCSW and BCASW.   I am an approved counsellor and am able to direct bill the First Nation Health Authority, Autism Funding Unit, Jordans Principle and Crime Victims Assistance Program.

 

If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors and/or Registered Social Workers then these appointments should be covered.

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