Catherine Moores
Walk & Talk Counselling
WHAT I OFFER
I work with clients who are:
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searching for meaning and satisfaction in life
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facing a decision and are unsure what to do
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exploring self-awareness or personal growth
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troubled by existential anxiety
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struggling with self-determination
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experiencing any kind of pain from a loss.
Some examples of loss include:
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loss of romantic partner or friend (this can be physical if you don’t spend time with each other anymore, and/or emotional if the person has changed or become ill)
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separation or divorce
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losing a job
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moving to a new community
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death of a loved one
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death of a pet
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the death of someone that family or friends don’t approve of, which makes it seem like you have to hide how you feel
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changes to health
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missed opportunities
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feeling pressured to ‘move on’ or ‘get over’ a loss after some time has passed
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having to edit yourself around others, because others don’t want to hear about how you are really feeling
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contemplating your own, or someone else's, illness or mortality*
*I believe that acknowledging and exploring death is a very natural impulse, and I welcome you to talk about death with me in whatever way supports you. This is a different conversation than if you are feeling suicidal. If you are having any suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone and help is available. I encourage you to contact one of the following:
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Vancouver Island Crisis Line 1‑888‑494‑3888
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Vancouver Island Crisis Text 250-800-3806
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Crisis Centre BC Distress Line 1-800-784-2433
I work mainly within the existential and person-centred counselling frameworks. This means that I regard us as equals, rather than positioning myself as an authority. I believe you are in charge of yourself, and my contribution lies in my professional training. While these counselling frameworks don’t emphasize the medical model of treatment, I do use an intake form to learn more about you. I ask intake questions to determine how best to work with you, and to consider if a referral to another practitioner might be appropriate. I do not have authority to diagnose, but certainly if you have received or self-identify with a diagnosis, I will honour that.
Why walk?
Movement, however gentle, can help with processing. It can be beneficial to focus on walking while letting whatever needs to happen, happen. Walking also means that you don’t have to feel like you’re under a spotlight when we work together. I will be focused on you, but we don’t have to look at each other for the whole session. I find this helps take some pressure off.
If it appeals to you, I might ask how you feel in your body (tightness in the chest? shaking? cold or hot?). I might also invite you to participate in grounding activities, like taking a deep breath or feeling your feet on the ground. We will only do these kinds of exercises if you are comfortable doing so.
Counselling in
Beacon Hill Park
Individual counselling for adults 19+
$115 / 55min session
Sliding scale available
Payment via e-transfer after the session
Online Counselling
Individual counselling for adults 19+
$115 / 55min session
Sliding scale available
Payment via e-transfer after the session
RATES
ABOUT ME
From coast to coast
I was born in St. John's, and moved to Edmonton as a teenager. After many years in the prairies, along with several years in Scotland and New Zealand, I now live in Victoria, on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. I am of settler heritage, am a cis-gendered woman, and my pronouns are she/her. I'm aware there are many lived experiences that I cannot truly understand because of my background, but I endeavour to create a space that is welcoming and respectful to all.
I am deeply interested in what it means to be human, with all of the excitement, apathy, beauty, anxiety, joy, and sorrow that it brings. We hope to have family and friends along for the ride to share in these experiences, but sometimes there are things we must contend with on our own. It is in this space of personal reflection that I offer to meet you. I enjoy supporting people who want to explore the emotional aspects of their lives, broadly related to themes of meaning, purpose, grief, loss, and the struggle to know oneself (one's self).
I have completed the following education and training to be able to offer counselling services:
Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counselling - Kelowna College of Professional Counselling
Level 1 Certificate in Professional Grief Training - Living Through Loss Counselling Society of BC
Trauma-Informed Grief Support Professional Development Workshop - Shauna Janz, BC
Narrative Ideas for Grief and Loss Certificate - Narrative Therapy Centre, Ontario
Narrative Ideas for Responding to Suicidal Thoughts Certificate - Narrative Therapy Centre, Ontario
Master of Arts in Communications and Technology - University of Alberta
I am registered with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association as a Registered Professional Counsellor-Candidate #4497.
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In my personal time I enjoy being in nature, and dabbling with rowing and archery. I am also a flamenco dancer.
FAQ
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Where do we meet in Beacon Hill Park?Once a session is booked I will send you the details of where we'll meet. There is free parking, and public transportation is available. At this time counselling sessions are held north of Dallas Road, i.e. not next to the ocean.
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What if I see someone I know?We can start walking in a different direction if you wish. Or if the person is close, you are welcome to say hello if you are comfortable with that. I will not introduce myself, but you are welcome to introduce me if you feel it's appropriate. I'm happy to be introduced as your friend, or even a simple "this is Catherine" works. Otherwise a smile or nod, while not stopping, can work really well. While unlikely, should I see someone I know, I will continue to focus on you, and might give a slight nod while we continue on our walk together.
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What if I see you outside of the park?Your counselling is confidential, and for this reason I will not address or approach you if we happen to meet by chance outside of our session. I will make every effort to maintain your anonymity.
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How much walking is there?We walk as little or as much as you like. The pace is slow and gentle, and we can sit at benches or picnic tables along the way (or for the whole session). My insurance allows for light walking only, so we will not be walking briskly or running.
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Can I bring my pet with me to walk during my session?Unfortunately, I am unable to accommodate pets.
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Is the park accessible?Yes - we can stay on cemented paths.
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Is it safe to walk in the park?Beacon Hill Park is a safe place to spend time, yes. Any safety precautions you would normally take walking around the city should be applied. For your safety and mine, I do not offer counselling sessions after dusk, and we stay on designated paths.
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What about parking? And bathrooms?Free parking is available in Beacon Hill Park and there are 3 public bathrooms with running water. Please check the City of Victoria website for information about bathroom hours.
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What if the weather is bad?While I encourage year-round participation in walk and talk counselling, in case of anticipated severe weather we can move our appointment to online if needed. Severe weather means heavy wind or rain, or very low or high temperatures. The details of when and how to change a walk and talk appointment to online are in my office policies which will be shared with you at the start of working together. In general though, I invite you to bring your umbrella, or gloves, or sun hat, and make the most out of being in nature. There are several places in the park we can shelter under if the weather turns suddenly.
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What about hugs?It can be a very natural, human impulse to offer a hug, handshake, or a hand on an arm, especially if our conversation has been particularly challenging or moving. However, I have chosen a no-touch policy, and request not to be touched in return, as this is what feels most appropriate to me in this professional context. You might see me nod or place my hand(s) to my heart instead.
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What is your COVID policy?I will stay a few feet apart while we walk together, and I will sit on the opposite side of benches. I will not be able to offer tissues until further notice. Should there be a recommendation, or Provincial Health Order, limiting in-person contact to households, all appointments shall be moved online. I am vaccinated with boosters. I will not inquire about your vaccination status, though I ask you to please respect my health too. If you feel at all unwell, please change your appointment to online at least 3 hours before your scheduled time. The details of when and how to change a walk and talk appointment to online are in my office policies which will be shared with you at the start of working together. If you are ill and cannot keep your appointment, please cancel as soon as possible.
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How much does it cost?$115 / 55 minutes I take payment via e-transfer after each session. I have a limited number of sliding scale spots available. Please inquire about this if financial support would make counselling more accessible for you.
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Are you covered by insurance? Do you direct bill?It is my understanding that some workplace benefit plans will cover counsellors registered with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA). While I do not have direct billing, I invite you to check with your plan provider to see if they reimburse for counselling therapy provided by registered members of the CPCA. I'm a Registered Professional Counsellor-Candidate #4497.
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What is a Registered Professional Counsellor-Candidate?I passed my examination to become a registered member of the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association in November 2022. In the initial phase of membership, the designation I am allowed to use is RPC-C, or Registered Professional Counsellor-Candidate. This means I am a new counsellor, able to practice on my own, while continuing to receive supervision and support by a more experienced counsellor. When I work with my supervisor, I maintain client confidentiality. I do not share names or information that would identify you. However, please know that if there were urgent or immediate safety concerns for a client or someone a client identifies, I may have to break confidentiality in that instance and discuss the circumstances with my supervisor. Confidentiality will be reviewed at the beginning of working together.
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What are your hours?I take appointments Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Early evening appointments during the week are also available. In the lighter spring and summer months these can be Walk & Talk appointments in Beacon Hill Park. During the darker autumn and winter months, early evening appointments are available online.
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How do I book?I always start with a free 15-minute video consultation, as this helps us both determine if we're a good fit for one another. If you’d like to work with me please email me at hello@catherinemoores.com.