Hello, my name is Amy, and it is a great honour to be Hopespring’s Cancer Care Counsellor. On numerous occasions, I will get asked, what does cancer care counselling look like and how might it assist me? My hope is that this will be helpful for you to make a better informed decision.

Before we begin, a little about me, I have been a practicing social worker and therapist for 20 years. I graduated with a masters of social work or M.S.W from Wilfrid Laurier University.  My passion and much of my clinical work has been in the field of mental health, mindfulness, wellness and trauma and for the past nine years healing and grief therapy.

What happens when you book an appointment for a cancer care counselling session?

Our centre at Hopespring is such a warm and welcoming environment.  Pre-COVID,  upon arrival, you would be greeted with a warm smile and an offer of a cup of tea, water, coffee and one or our specialty home-made treats  baked by one of our wonderful volunteers.  Due to the current pandemic, our welcome is still as warm and our sessions are now help virtually. You can still bring a beverage and your favourite treat.  At your appointment time, your counselling session, is offered socially-distanced and safe-guarded via a phone call or a virtual counselling (Zoom) meeting, whichever you prefer.

During the session(s), I get to know you in order to better understand your needs. We spend time together getting to know your background, your story, what strengths and supports are in your life and the challenges and obstacles you may be facing in your journey.

We will discuss your goals and wishes for therapy, your own healing journey and life in order to create a treatment plan together. The treatment plans are strengths based and person centred and created to support and empower you to heal, grow and live your life fully, assisting you to work towards achieving the goals you set for yourself.

List of benefits reported from those who have attended counselling therapy in the past*:

• Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Better equipped to manage day to day challenges and symptoms
• Thankful for the supportive space to be heard and share difficulties and fears
• A sense of feeling empowered and supported
• Improved self-worth and self-compassion
• A sense of appreciation from someone to listen, offer insights and walk with on their journey

Through HopeSpring, I offer individual, couple, family, youth and group counselling to those living with, surviving and or affected by cancer (Family members, loved ones and friends)

I serve as your guide, therapist, teacher, facilitator and healer during your session; it is my great honour and blessing to walk beside you with compassion and encouragement, offering you tools, skills and strategies which can support you on your cancer healing journey.

 *Please note, the benefits noted may not be indicative of the individual experience, only represented here to provide you with some possible outcomes.