Darcy Bailey, MSW, RSW, RCC, Dip.AT

My counselling practices essentially are integrative in nature, which involves drawing on a range proven effective short and long term therapies. These include various techniques and strategies which can offer you solid and practical healing tools. For each person, appropriate approaches are established in collaboration in a focussed, gentle and respectful way in order to promote successful therapy. Counselling sessions include educational, therapeutic and experiential approaches. Specific theoretical orientations include: person centered, child-centered therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic, brief therapy, solution focussed, humanistic perspectives and Art Therapy.

I am also a trained Art Therapist, using expressive materials primarily paint, clay, oil & chalk pastels, marker/crayons, collage, plasters, mask making and other materials. Other expressive mediums include: writing/journalling, photography, sandtray and play therapy. Though Art therapy is a unique and powerful approach to counselling and can be used as a stand alone approach, Art Therapy can also be used concurrent to other therapeutic approaches, including EMDR. Please see more on the About Art Therapy page.

Benefits of Counselling

• increase insight and self-awareness
• assist in the process of changes: making changes in behaviour and thoughts
• improved self –esteem & self confidence
• improved communication skills
• improved relationships
• greater peace of mind & improved sense of well being
• reduced anxiety, depression, worry, or guilt
• improve problem behaviours
• improves concentration
• relief from stress
• increased ability to cope with symptoms, stress and trauma experiences
• gain specific skills, such as: assertiveness; coping strategies; problem solving skills
• having a safe place and a specific time to focus on self

Benefits of Art Therapy

• provides a way to communicate thoughts, feelings and beliefs
• develops insight of self and others to facilitate change
• improved perspective; externalize an internal process; take a step back
• develop problem solving skills
• improve and manage difficult or problem behaviours
• relief from overwhelming emotions or crises
• reduce stress
• increase self awareness and self knowledge
• read more...

Areas of Practice:

• depression
  
• anxiety
  
• child behaviours
  
• children of divorce or separation
  
• trauma of all types
  
• stress
  
• self esteem & confidence building
  
• relationships
  
• communication
  
• parent – teen conflict
  
• grief & loss issues
  
• trust issues
  
• eating disorders
  
• self improvement
  
• personal exploration and growth
  
• creativity
  
• abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)