Whatever has brought you here, I hope you find something helpful.

My approach to counselling prioritizes what is important and meaningful to each individual I work with. I help people with issues such as: anxiety, insomnia, traumatic experiences and loss, relationship issues, depression, chronic pain, and managing stress.

My passion for learning and desire to be of real help has led me to gain expertise in a variety of therapeutic approaches which I integrate in a way that works for YOU.

I love working with people to develop their own internal resources, gain new skills, develop curiosity, insight and clarity, and explore new ways of seeing and being at times of difficulty and transition in their lives.

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I'm honoured be here to support you on your journey of healing and self-discovery.

Words to inspire and ponder...

"As long as we're breathing there is more right with us than wrong with us, no matter what we are facing"

~ Jon Kabat-Zinn, developer of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

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"Focusing will enable you to find and change where your life is stuck, cramped, hemmed in, slowed down. And it will enable you to change– to live from a deeper place than just your thoughts and feelings."

~ Eugene Gendlin, developer and author of Focusing

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“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

~ Dorothy Parker

ABOUT JULIE

Hello, I’m Julie Giroux, a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Victoria, British Columbia. Since 1993, I have worked in a variety of social service and health care roles providing specialized services to those dealing with challenging life experiences.

I graduated from the University of Toronto with both Occupational Therapy and Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy degrees.  I have also completed the multi-year teacher certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.  

In recent years I have specialized my clinical practice in helping individuals heal from a wide range of traumatic experiences, chronic stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and insomnia. I help people get in touch with what matters most to them and develop more fulfilling and satisfying lives. I have in-depth training in Somatic Experiencing, EMDR (including advanced training in Attachment-Focused EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy and Focusing. Above all, I take an individualized approach to everyone I work with.

CLINICAL COUNSELLING / PSYCHOTHERAPY
(ONLINE)

By secure video (Jane App) or phone. Many people have found online counselling to be effective. It has the added benefit of being in the comfort of your own space and not having to travel.

Sessions are typically one-hour but may be up to 1.5 hours for EMDR trauma therapy or if you prefer a longer session.

CLINICAL COUNSELLING / PSYCHOTHERAPY
(IN-PERSON)

In-person sessions at THE VITALITY CLINIC are currently very limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When this situation changes the website will be updated.

"SINGLE SESSION" COUNSELLING (ONLINE)

A "Single Session" Counselling appointment focuses on a current issue or learning a skill (eg. stress management, mindfulness, Resource Tapping) in one self-contained session.

Julie has begun offering "Single Session" online counselling sessions as a way of addressing the issue of long waitlists for mental health services.

COMPLIMENTARY 20-MINUTE INTRODUCTORY SESSION

Book a secure video or phone call to help you decide if we might be a good fit to work together.

Please see waiting list information below.

EMDR THERAPY FOR TRAUMA, PHOBIAS, AND ANXIETY.

EMDR therapy typically requires 1.5 hours per session.

Julie trained in Advanced Attachment-Focused EMDR at the Parnell Institute and offers a uniquely client-centred, flexible EMDR therapy that is tailored to each individual client's needs. This modified EMDR protocol can often be completed online with Julie and we continually reassess your progress to ensure it is effective and make further adjustments as needed.

MINDFULNESS CLASSES

I am a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher and can offer both group and individual formats for mindfulness training for stress reduction and overall well-being.

New Mindfulness training sessions are being planned for online format in spring 2022.  Please contact Julie for more details or to express your interest.