What is Counselling?

Professional counselling is a proven, psychotherapeutic treatment that helps individuals, couples, and families deal more effectively with life issues such as depression, stress and anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, loss and grief, sexuality, substance abuse and addiction, and other concerns about mental and emotional health.

Counselling helps clients develop a set of skills that enable them to feel more in control and more comfortable with others and the challenging situations of life.

The Benefits of Counselling

Counselling offers clients the opportunity to explore behaviour, relationships, feelings, and thoughts that trouble them and cause difficulties in their lives. Counselling is a legitimate source of support in a crisis or during a difficult time. It can bring deeper personal insight and awareness, better ways of understanding and coping with problems, and improved relationships.

Through counselling, clients can better understand their own behaviours and the thoughts and feelings that lead to their motivations for these behaviours. Counselling usually leads to an improvement in health and wellbeing, which in turn results in increased client self-confidence, vitality, productivity, and peace of mind.

McIsaac Counselling

Telephone sessions available (604) 414-7965

Paul McIsaac

Counsellor MACP, RCC

Like most individuals, I have had struggles. I approached middle age in a crisis, so I went to a counsellor. He was well qualified and led me to the answers I needed by helping me determine the questions I had to ask.

I have worked as an amusement park roustabout and a stunt tester for a television game show, a sailing instructor and a corporate communications consultant. Ten years ago, I decided to become a counsellor and pay back some of the good I had received from others along the way.

With degrees from Concordia and Yorkville Universities and certification from the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, I became a counsellor and started my own practice in Powell River, BC. Since then, I have worked successfully with men, women, couples, and families.

My particular areas of expertise include men’s issues, addiction, and aging and retirement. My client base has been balanced between men and women, both as individuals and couples.

As well as my private practice, I am a volunteer counsellor for the ALS Society of BC and the Disaster Psychosocial Services of the BC Provincial Health Services Authority.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” - Viktor Frankl

Viktor E. Frankl,

Man's Search for Meaning

The Counselling Process

In counselling, clients learn about themselves, their thoughts and feelings, and their relationships. Clients benefit the most from counselling when they participate actively and openly. As counselling progresses, client need to be willing to examine difficult topics and memories, to experience stronger than usual emotions, and to explore new and different behaviours.

The counsellor listens to clients’ concerns and assists them in setting and reaching appropriate goals. In each session the counsellor reviews client progress in adapting new skills to his or her unique situation.

Primary learning takes place in the actual counselling sessions. However, the most beneficial change for clients takes place between sessions as they practice what they learn in interactions with the world around them.

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