Be Free…Fully Live
Live courageously despite fear, relate to yourself like someone you love, be free to fully live who you are.
Hi there! I’m Kim.
If you are struggling with anxiety and fear, thoughts of not being good enough, judgmental and negative self-talk, or finding it hard to live in a way that reflects your most authentic self – you have come to a compassionate place. I have known these struggles too and how they can feel like a mental prison. Freedom is possible!
I provide a refuge where you can make the courageous and loving turn to embrace who you are, work through mental health concerns with compassion, and become your own best support and ally. Welcome!
Kimberly Wood MA, RCC
“Once the layer of criticism diminishes, everything gets better, including depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress”. Rachel Goldsmith Turow, PhD.
My speciality is working with…
ANXIETY
You may feel afraid or nervous - often or most of the time - feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge. Because of this, you find it hard to concentrate, you may sabotage or avoid desired goals and dreams. You notice bodily sensations such as a pounding heart, fast breathing, high blood pressure, sweating, trembling, dizziness, feeling weak or tired, stomach ache, tight chest or throat, neck tension, headaches, and insomnia. These sensations are negatively impacting your life, you don’t know what to do about them, and life feels scary. There are explorations in counselling and many practices that can help you understand, relate better to, manage, and even ameliorate the sensation of anxiety.
SHAME
You may experience feelings, thoughts, or sensations that communicate the idea of “being deeply flawed or a bad person”. You may judge yourself harshly, and can feel unworthy of acceptance and belonging. Because of this, you find it difficult to be your true self, and might avoid or shrink back from people and opportunities. The emotion of shame can manifest in other ways, such as anger, rage, blaming, anxiety, defensiveness, withdrawal, lack of empathy, fear, boundary issues, or addictions. The emotion of shame is universal and is correlated with other mental health concerns. The practice of turning toward self with compassion is an evidence-based portal to healing shame.
IDENTITY
You may be struggling with or exploring questions such as: Who am I? What are my unique traits, preferences, values, beliefs, opinions, passions, goals, likes and dislikes? How do my social and cultural role(s), race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion, spirituality, nationality and socioeconomic status play a role in how I am, and want to be, in the world? The lifelong and fluid journey of establishing a healthy sense of self or identity is a universal part of being human. It can also feel confusing, sometimes frightening. Counselling provides an opportunity to explore and gain clarity on these many factors to strengthen personal identity.
Common thoughts, feelings, and behaviours related to anxiety, shame, and identity that we can explore in counselling.
COMPASSION
KINDNESS
AUTHENTICITY
Other specific areas where I can help
Adoption - parenting an adopted child
Aging and mid-life transitions
Anger and strong emotions
Career development/vocational change
Communication
Cross-cultural adaptation
Depression
Grief due to death, life transitions, living losses, or infertility
Loving someone with an addiction - self-care and codependency
Mood fluctuation
Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment/coaching
Relationships
Religious/spiritual abuse or trauma
Restorative parent/child mediation