Finding someone to work with, at a time in life that can perhaps already feel stressful and overwhelming, can be a difficult thing to do. However it is also important. A large body of research indicates that the most important factor for success in therapy is the relationship or ‘alliance’ that exists between the the client and their therapist and so finding the right connection is an essential part of this decision. So to make the process a little easier, here’s a little bio to give you a sense of whether I might be someone you would feel comfortable working with.
About Andrea Jones (she / hers)
Andrea Jones (RCC) grew up in the UK, and despite her love of fried breakfasts, rainy days, and stunningly endless footpaths through boundless countryside, she set off to explore the world. She has lived in Australia, China, Spain, Russia and now Canada and has had the good fortune to explore and visit many other countries and cultures and hopes to see many more.
Andrea has found throughout her life, that the truly joyful ‘peak’ moments often arrive through being open to experiencing and learning while not being at all ‘good’ at it. In this way she has embraced all kinds of opportunities to try something new whether that involve music, sports, cooking and crafting. While she has made some terrible meals, murdered a few cello performances, and knows she should avoid trying to throw a frisbee, she has found that she can hold a note, she can be artsy and crafty when the mood takes her and she can also swim like her life depends on it when necessary. Andrea loves to read and write creatively. She is a big fan of sci-fiction and so is simultaneously fascinated, horrified and thrilled by the times we are living through. Andrea’s favourite activities usually involve playing in, on, or under the sea in one form or another. She has been lucky enough to dive, swim and surf (although again her performance could be more accurately described as ‘falling and splashing’ rather than surfing) in some of the most stunning waters and so she feels incredibly fortunate to live here in BC, surrounded by so much breath-taking coastline to explore.
Despite, having a playful side, Andrea takes her work seriously and feels very privileged to be trusted with other’s hearts and minds. She chooses to do this work as she is constantly humbled by her clients’ abilities to survive and thrive in often the most challenging of circumstances. She also greatly values and feels privileged to have the unique opportunity to be invited to see the world through so many different peoples’ eyes. It is her goal to truly understand the unique perspective of each of her clients and support them in understanding their own needs, strengths, resources and ability to take steps forward.
Andrea is also very much aware of the social and cultural climate that is impacting and hurting many folks right now, alongside the daily trauma of witnessing and being affected by the events of climate change. She would like everyone who visits this page to know that, while she can not possibly begin to understand all that you are holding, she is committed to working from an inclusive, anti-oppressive and trauma informed lens that views her clients’ sense of safety, autonomy and self determination as the keystones of your work together.
Andrea completed her MA in Counselling Psychology in 2018, and since then has gone on to specialize in relationship counselling, trauma-informed counselling, as well as particular modalities such as Gestalt therapy and somatic based therapies.
Think Andrea might be someone you’d like to work with? Tap the Contact tab to find out how to connect.
AJ Relationship Counselling 