About Cole
Click on both my locations to see my full availability
Hello and welcome. If you’re reading this you are making a choice to improve your life, and I am here to help. I have 8 years of clinical experience, am a proud father, and dedicated husband. I offer talk and somatic therapy, and life planning.
In a first session my hope is to identify something you can do to improve your life as soon as possible. Often, especially if you are new to counselling, this requires a lot of talking. Fortunately I’m a good, boarding on great, listener. If you’re stuck that means you’re thinking about your issue in the same way. Talking with another person who is deeply listening allows new ideas to emerge. From these, we collaborate on an action. If you pay attention to the results you will move towards something better.
If you are interested in couples or families sessions this work is close to my heart. For parents, the best way to support your children is to become the best you. Our intimate relationships should improve over time. If they are not it’s likely because we are avoiding something - often short term conflict. Avoiding (sort of) works in the present by sacrificing the future. Not a good idea. Remember, the amount of distress, dread and hopelessness we may feel is proportionate to the relief and growth we can gain if we become brave enough to speak truthfully. Plus, we gain humility and connection by asking for help.
I work with all genders, but have an additional specialty in working with men. Personally, I have found it difficult to find other males who embody healthy masculinity. Most of the men I speak to share this experience. I’m here to offer encouragement and direction for men. You can have the adventure of your life, if you take the responsibility of your life, and humble yourself enough to ask for help when needed.
If you have some experience with therapy and are finding talk therapy limiting, or want to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, I also offer Hakomi. Hakomi is a nourishment based somatic approach to assisted self discovery. Through mindfulness practices we listen to the body to explore and integrate our unconscious, with the intention of becoming whole. We all need support in asking for and receiving our souls deepest needs.
Thank you for accepting the responsibility of your life, I can promise it’s worth doing so for you and everyone you care about.
Areas of Focus:
Hakomi (mindfulness-based, body-centred assisted self-study)
Family Therapy & Parenting
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Couples Therapy/Relationship Issues
Mental health for all genders with an additional specialty with male identifying clients
ADHD
Burn out and compassion fatigue
Assertiveness & boundary practice
Developing a life plan
Grief and Loss
Trauma
Autism
Addiction and Problematic Substance Use
Anxiety
Depression
Neurodiversity Support for Families
Personal Growth and Self-Awareness
I welcome clients seeking faith-sensitive counselling, including those who would like their Christian faith, spirituality, and personal values to be thoughtfully included in the counselling process.
Education, Certification, and Specialized Training:
Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Specialized in the Hakomi Method
Trained in Emotionally Focused Family therapy (EFFT)
Direct Billing: I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors, then these appointments should be covered.
I can direct bill to CVAP, however clients are asked to pay the $35 top up fee. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to Pacific Blue Cross, Telus Eclaims, and Sunlife.
Session Types: Individuals from adolescents to the elderly (some exceptions for younger clients with family involvement), couples, and families. In-person and virtual.
Email: cole.schafer@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 148
Text: (778) 312-2455
Fees: Senior Practitioner Rates: 165-180 per 50 minute session
BCACC RCC 14976
Location: Cole works in Downtown Nanaimo on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cole works in North Nanaimo Tuesday nights.
Choisissez un service, puis une durée et un mode — les heures à droite suivent votre choix.
