Conversations with Safe Harbour Therapy Safe Harbour Therapy Centre

Safe Harbour’s founder Julie Long has moved to Minnedosa, Manitoba and has decided to pass the harbourmaster keys to her colleague, Carmen Okhmatovski. Carmen has been a Safe Harbour clinician for the past few years, and now owns and directs the therapy centre. Tune into this podcast to learn about how Safe Harbour Therapy was created, how this transition came to be, and what the future holds for both Safe Harbour and Julie Long.

In this conversation, Julie and Nan explore the world of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS Therapy). We discuss the healing power of being capital S, SELF Led, using the 8 C’s of Connection: curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, confidence, clarity, and confidence to gently and effectively change our relationship with the parts of us that have been our constant companions: anxiety, inner critics, perfectionists, managers—even addictions, and other forms of self-harming.

You are strong and resilient in taking this first step to care of yourself. You may be tired of feeling the way you do and are ready for change. You want to enjoy the life you live and the key to this is to enjoy the relationships you have, including the one with yourself. You might notice recurring patterns such as the same fears or reactions, but anything you try to do differently only temporarily helps. I can help you find the strength to create lasting and meaningful changes in your life. My approach is client-centred and holistic and I feel honoured to encourage you as you embark upon this journey of healing and growth.

When we are in distress either temporarily or chronically, we tend to shut down that connection. This break in our body-mind connection can lead to further pain and suffering. Our emotions take over; we dwell on thoughts in an attempt to control them. The resulting distress may be seen in such symptoms as anxiety, depression, addiction etc. However, if we are able to find ways to maintain our body-mind connection even in times of distress, we can open the door to so many more possibilities that in turn can help us whether its acceptance, taking action, seeking help from others, building resources etc. I have experienced success in finding ways to achieve and strengthen this connection using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and trauma informed yoga.

“What we resist persists.” Are you anxious, sad, feeling emotional? Are there challenges in your life that you want to sort out, approach directly or put behind you and don’t know where to start? Are you seeking new opportunities, relationships, employment or career changes? Have you experienced negative adverse events or trauma that may be impacting your life today? Counselling is an opportunity to talk to a trained professional who can help you make sense of difficult feelings and emotions; help resolve complicated issues or find ways to manage them.

You’ll eat to feel better, physically and emotionally. Scarfing down a box of chocolates on the couch because you’re sad, lonely, mad or tired just won’t make sense anymore. What will make sense is figuring out what that craving and urgent need to eat and only eat is really telling you. Finding the space in the urgency to figure out what you really need to find peace again. This is how that chocolate bar doesn’t turn into three and a bag of chips to boot.