Guest Blog: An Interview with a Therapist Specializing in EMDR, Menopause and Perinatal Mental Health
Introduction:
We’re doing another guest blog this week - featuring an interview with our own Christine Bibby at Mountain Brow Counselling. In this blog article, I have asked Christine a series of questions to help us get to know her better and how she practices as a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist at our practice.
In Christine’s own words: “I’m a Registered Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working with women, children and their families in health care, education and clinical settings. I combine my professional background with all of the wisdom of my life experience; I believe clients deserve the best I have to offer and my true, authentic self.
The model of practice I work from considers all aspects of self (mind, body, spirit) and would be considered holistic, with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and somatic practice. I am also trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which is a trauma-focused approach that promotes deep healing. I believe clients are the experts in their own lives, and I am there to guide their experience in therapy, based on what they need and what they want.
Being a research “nerd,” I am always reading, especially about the brain, trauma, psychology, women’s health across the life span, including aging and family dynamics. Aside from cerebral things, I love kayaking, biking and walking, anything that gets the body moving. I play the drums (with silent skins to save my husband’s hearing!) and find it’s a great way to connect with the body.
I have two young adult sons, who fortunately live close to us and share their lives with us.”
Why did you decide to become a therapist, and specifically, why trauma and women’s mental health?
My first job during university was with a local women’s shelter where I saw firsthand the strength of women during crisis and their incredible ability to continue to function in spite of the stress. I knew that I wanted to be someone who helps women and their families while advocating for better systems and supports in our communities. I have spent many years focused on this work.
In private practice, I’ve had the honour and opportunity to focus my practice with women who have experienced traumatic events to help them find strength and power within the hardest things they have endured. I also help them support their families to better understand and respect their healing process while helping them develop skills for setting boundaries and communicating needs.
In my experience, many women tend to “overfunction” in their lives and relationships and end up neglecting their own needs. There is also a lack of information out there for women about some of the natural processes that happen during our life cycle, such as postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. I have a keen interest in helping women become more aware of how fluctuating hormones have a profound influence on both physical and mental health, and what we can do about it.
What type of goals do you support clients with? How does your approach or style differ from another?
I like to support clients with realistic, achievable goals once we’ve identified the areas of their lives that they want to address and things they would like to change. We visualize what life would look like and feel like once they had reached those goals so that we know where we are headed.
Clients who have experienced trauma often want relief from the symptoms and to alter their experience of the past event so that it does not negatively impact their lives in the present or future. This is where EMDR can be helpful with deeper healing.
Sometimes in therapy, people are looking for increased self-awareness and deeper understanding of others, such as their family of origin dynamics.
Whether someone is seeking to learn “acceptance” or wanting to make changes, my goal is to fit the therapeutic approach to what the client wants and needs.
How has your personal journey impacted your professional practice?
Being a mother has definitely had the most profound impact on my self-awareness and self-development as a human being. Children really are our greatest teachers. Being a caregiver to my aging parents and all the emotions that emerged throughout that process gave me a greater understanding of the roles that caregivers assume, often without support or appreciation. Experiencing my own trauma has sensitized me to the healing journey in ways you can’t learn from books. From all of this, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of yourself first and seeing it as a responsibility, especially if you are going to be taking care of others.
How would someone know that they should book an appointment with you? What would you say to someone who is hesitant but struggling with their mental health and well-being?
If you are not feeling like yourself, find that you are anxious, or depressed, or you don’t have anyone you can truly confide in, it’s time for you to reach out. You don’t need to suffer alone, and you deserve to feel better.
The first step of talking with someone about what you are experiencing can make a difference, truly knowing that others have been through similar things. If therapy is something you’ve been considering, it’s time to take that first step and contact us.
What are some immediate tools or steps a woman struggling with midlife transitions could start today if they were struggling?
First, acknowledge what is happening to you: Take stock of what you are experiencing physically and emotionally. Begin with your physical health. Are you sleeping well? Eating enough protein and complex carbohydrates? Hydrating yourself? Moving your body? Talk with your primary care practitioner about your physical symptoms.
Check in with yourself emotionally: Are you listening to your emotions and what they are telling you? When life is hard and you are surfing hard emotions, are you also making time for joy and fun? Talk to someone you trust who can validate your emotional experience and who has capacity to support you.
Reassess your life: Are there areas that need your attention? Are you living in line with your values and sense of purpose? Is it time to make changes and/or accept the changes in others? Often, midlife is a time for both endings and new beginnings. What opportunities might be awaiting you? Have an open mind as to what might be possible for you.
Consider reaching out for professional support – you don’t need to struggle alone. Transitions are one of the most stressful times in a human being’s life, and it is normal to find it hard.
Are there any specific mantras, coping statements or quotes you’d like to share for women struggling with their mental health?
I will focus on what is in my control and let the rest go.
I will respond with courage and strength instead of worrying.
I am safe, even when there is uncertainty present.
I am gentle with myself. I am doing the best I can.
What is your favourite form of self-care? How do you manage to prioritize your own self-care while managing a busy life?
My favourite form of self-care is going for a walk by myself in the woods and listening to inspiring and uplifting music. Even if I can only go for a short walk, it’s remarkable how much this elevates my mood, even on days when I might not feel like going.
If someone was interested in learning more about your practice and how you can support them, what should they do next?
I encourage anyone who would like to connect with me to set up a free consultation so that we can chat on the phone first. That way, we can talk about your concerns, and you can get a better sense of who I am and whether you’d like to work with me.
