LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT CAN HELP!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us may be forced to spend a lot of time with family or roommates who don’t know the full story of our sexual and romantic lives, which can make us feel more and more isolated.
Counseling can seem intimidating, but receiving support and care from experts can provide insight, tools, guidance and information that can help improve our mood, our physical well being, as well as our relationships with ourselves and others.
THOSE OF US WHO ARE LESS OUT HAVE DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS COMPARED TO GUYS WHO ARE MORE OUT
HIM has been working with a group of counsellors to help them better understand how outness is complicated, fluid, and situational.
These counsellors have worked hard to adopt the OutsideIN philosophy of outness into their practices and are now better equipped than ever to support you no matter what your relationship to outness is.
You can access these counsellors directly or through HIM’s Counselling Programs.
Interested in receiving help but worried you can’t afford it? Many of these counsellors offer subsidized rates for qualifying clients through the HIM Helps program.
As we continue to follow government health regulations and minimize risk of exposure of COVID-19, HIM is now providing counselling through phone and video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Skype. Check out the latest updates regarding HIM’s Counselling Programs during COVID-19 here.
BRIAN O’NEILL
RSW
Individual and couple counselling. Interested in helping people move toward their goals in relationships as well as careers. I am particularly focused on helping people become more aware of the various experiences they have had in growing up as well as in adulthood, that influence their current relationships.
Approaches/techniques
I base my work on establishing a close relationship with clients, and through becoming attuned to them, support them in moving toward their goals
Areas of expertise
Anxiety, Couples, Depression, Disability, Loss/Grief, Mindfulness, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self-esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, Sexual Abuse, sexual identity issues, Sexuality and Sex, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress, Trauma
Email: bjoneill@shaw.ca
Phone: (604) 202-7566
Website:
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, Fee for service, HIM Helps, Sliding scale (when possible)
JAY BROTHERTON
CCC
Working in the fields of education, recreation and mental health since 1995, Jay is committed to continuing professionally assisting persons of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances to discover their own strength, ideas and wisdom to work through difficult situations or feelings. In counselling, he feels quite privileged and honoured to journey alongside individuals (children/youth/adults), couples and families as they seek to bring about healing and change in their lives. As such, he views counselling as a powerful tool for personal transformation and social cohesion.
Jay aims to facilitate, through enthusiasm, openness, sensitivity and compassion, a genuine dialogue of caring connectivity, understanding, reciprocity and mutual accountability between persons, He acknowledges how conscious and unconscious emotions reflect our deepest, most essential needs, assisting clients in ascertaining whether or not these needs are being voiced and met. He recognizes the benefits of cultivating presence and inner stillness, and thus teaches various grounding and relaxation techniques to guide clients in learning to exist beyond depressing and anxious thoughts that can overwhelm many of us from time to time. Finally, Jay works diligently with clients to nurture, express and exercise all aspects of self in their day-to-day lives, ultimately approaching self-care as an ongoing, ‘whole’-istic lifestyle orientation.
Approaches/techniques
Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally Focussed Therapy, Play Therapy, Contextual Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), Past-life Regression Therapy.
Areas of expertise
Anger Management, Anxiety, Change and transition, outness, Couples, Depression, Domestic violence and abuse, Inter-racial/ inter-cultural challenges, Loss/Grief, Parenting, Psycho-education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self-esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, sexual identity issues, Sexuality and Sex, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Spiritual practices, Stress, Substance use and addictions
Email: jayvancouvercounselling@gmail.com
Phone: (250) 552-0025
Website: www.jaybrotherton.com
Fee options: Fee for service, HIM Helps, Sliding scale (when possible)
JEFF DARCY
RCSW
Registered clinical social worker with 16 years of experience providing nurturing, nonjudgmental counselling to clients of all ages. Strong communication and social skills to build rapport with a diverse range of people. Knowledgeable about evidenced-based and cutting-edge treatments for depression, anxiety, and general mental health. Advocate for social justice and marginalized communities. Through compassion, empathy, and authenticity able to guide clients towards empowerment and interpersonal effectiveness.
Approaches/techniques
Narrative, CBT, mindfulness (MBCT), EMDR, IFS – Internal Family Systems / Parts Work, Gestalt, Solution-Focused.
Areas of expertise
Anxiety, outness, Depression, Mindfulness, Psycho-education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), sexual identity issues, Sexuality and Sex, Spiritual practices, Stress
Email: jeffdarcy42@gmail.com
Phone: 604-704-4370
Website: www.jeffdarcy.ca/counselling.html
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, Fee for service, HIM Helps, Sliding scale (when possible)
ROSS STOGRYN
RCC
Ross Stogryn is a Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC (#12667) and a member of the teams at Waterlily Counselling and HIM (Health Initiative for Men). He holds a Master’s Degree of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is a member in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
Ross has experience serving and supporting diverse populations of youth to retiree clients in both higher education and community-based non-profit settings. As a counsellor, he has and continues to work extensively serving the 2SLGBT*TQQIA+ community. In this role, he has gained experience supporting and working with people through life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, issues of identity, issues of sexuality, academic challenges, trauma, relationship conflict and
suicidality.
As a therapist, the most fundamental part of Ross’ work is striving to build strong, affirming therapeutic relationships that both bolster dignity and resilience and allow clients to safely explore and engage with barriers to their life satisfaction and wellbeing. His warm, person-centred approach draws from and integrates cognitive and relational modalities and makes use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Process Theory (IPT).
Ross considers walking with people along their paths to insight and healing a tremendous honour and privilege and is excited to get the chance to work with you.
Approaches/techniques
Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) & Interpersonal Process Theory (IPT).
Areas of expertise
Anxiety, Change and transition, outness, Depression, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, sexual identity issues,
Sexuality and Sex, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress
Email: ross@waterlilycounselling.com
Phone: 778-918-3131
Website: www.waterlilycounselling.com
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, Fee for service, HIM Helps
MARY PETTY
RSW
Mary offers individual and couples counselling. Mary is an experienced clinician with a wide range of practice experience.
Approaches/techniques
Client-centred, relationship-focused; support for life transition, change; mindfulness
Areas of expertise
Anger Management, Change and transition, outness, Couples, Depression, Domestic violence and abuse, Loss/Grief, Mindfulness, Psycho-education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress
Email: maryspetty@gmail.com
Phone: (604) 687-1105
Website:
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, HIM Helps, Sliding scale (when possible)
ALVARO LUNA
MSC PSYCH, MC, CCC
Alvaro is a Certified Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapist (CCC), with experience supporting individuals to meet their emotion regulation and processing goals and needs, working with clients experiencing a wide variety of emotional challenges. Alvaro’s education includes a master in Clinical and Health Psychology from Andes University (Colombia), as well as a master in Counselling from the City University of Seattle. Has been practicing as a clinician since 2012.
Approaches/techniques
Alvaro has a solid formation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and derived approaches such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); as well as specific training in exposure therapy (CBT) for Post-Traumatic disorders.
Languages: Offers psychotherapy in English or Spanish.
Areas of expertise
Anger Management, Anxiety, Chronic illness/pain, Compulsive Behaviours, Depression, Inter-racial/ inter-cultural challenges, Loss/Grief, Mindfulness, Minority stress, Psycho-education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Sexual Abuse, sexual identity issues, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Trauma
Email: alvaroluna.psy@gmail.com
Phone: (778) 251-6351
Website: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-luna-05a0a879
Fee options: HIM Helps
CONNOR DENOON
RCC
Connor is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#16005) and a recent graduate of Adler University’s Master of Counselling Psychology program. He brings a fresh perspective to his therapeutic relationships with his diverse employment and educational background in Psychology, Journalism, and Political Science. He has been involved with HIM since 2016 as a volunteer with HUSTLE, and more recently as a Counselling Practicum Student.
As well as being a member of the LGBTQI+ community, Connor has focused his academic and therapeutic experience working with and supporting members and allies of the LGBTQI+ family. In the therapy room, Connor is completely committed to the therapeutic relationship between himself and his clients. He believes a warm, trusting, supportive, and unconditionally positive connection between a therapist and their clients forms the foundation for therapeutic change. From this foundation, and in consultation with his clients, Connor draws upon a handful of evidence-based therapies that best fit the holistic well-being of the person and the goals they are working on with him.
Approaches/techniques
Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gottman Couples Therapy (Level 1), Mindfulness Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and will be completing EMDR certification in November 2018 and March 2019
Areas of expertise
Anger Management, Anxiety, Change and transition, outness, Couples, Depression, Loss/Grief, Mindfulness, Psycho-education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self-esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, Sexuality and Sex, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress
Email: connor@checkhimout.ca
Phone: (604) 600-1731
Website: https://www.denooncounselling.com/
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, Fee for service, HIM Helps, Sliding scale (when possible)
ANTHONY CAVE
RPSYCH
I work with clients of all genders. I serve youth, adults and elders. I have additional specialized experience working with people with HIV/AIDS, people of First Nations heritage, and with gay, bisexual, transgender and lesbian clients. I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of BC (Registration # 1755). I am also a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I have over 20 years’ experience in providing psychotherapy and counselling. My expertise is clinical psychology – the assessment and treatment of mental disorders.
I believe relationships are key to mental health. My preferred therapy approach is called relationally focused integrative psychotherapy. This includes CBT, client centered and psychodynamic techniques. It is within safe, empathic and respectful relationships that healing occurs, and the therapeutic relationships I create with clients include these qualities
Approaches/techniques
Relationally focused intergrative psychotherapy, CBT, Client-centered, psychodynamic.
Areas of expertise
Anxiety, Chronic illness/pain, outness, Depression, Disability, Loss/Grief, Mindfulness, Psycho education, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self-esteem/Selfconcept, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress
Email: acave7579@gmail.com
Phone: 604-837-7579 – 415-470 Granville street., Vancouver, BC. V6C 1V5
Website: www.acavepsychologist.com
Fee options: Covered by some insurance plans, Fee for service
DAVID PORTESI
RCC
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I call on over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field and training in both public health and counselling psychology. I use a holistic approach that recognizes that good mental health is not just the absence of mental illness or distress, but is also rooted in healthy relationships, a fulfilling home and community life, purposeful work and career options, and overall physical and mental well-being. I enjoy working with individuals and couples navigating life transitions. These include being in a new or struggling relationship, outness to loved ones, starting a family, balancing life and work demands, planning for and starting a new career, or entering retirement, among others. * Skype and phone sessions are available.
Approaches/techniques
Behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy Emotionally focused therapy, and Mindfulness
Areas of expertise
Anger Management, Anxiety, Change and transition, outness, Couples, Depression, Inter-racial/ inter cultural challenges, Mindfulness, Minority stress, Queer men’s issues (outness etc..), Self esteem/Self-concept, Separation/break up, Sexuality and Sex, Social and interpersonal difficulties, Stress
Email: dave@davidportesi.com
Phone: 778-828-1692 – 1548 Johnston Road – Suite 202, White Rock, BC V4B 3Z8
Website: www.davidportesi.com
Fee options: Fee for service, Sliding scale (when possible)
ARE YOU A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER LOOKING FOR STRATEGIES TO BETTER HELP YOUR CLIENTS NAVIGATE OUTNESS?
See HIM’s OutsideIN recommendations for mental healthcare providers.
These recommendations are drawn from research that included an extensive literature review as well as key-informant interviews and focus groups with dozens of “less out” community members and mental healthcare service providers.