Counselling Philosophy
We believe there is no one “right” way for counselling to occur. At Nourishing Hearts, we offer a
variety of counselling and therapy approaches.
Some clients may prefer traditional in-office talk therapy. Others may want the traditional talk
therapy session to be held outside in nature, while others may find it comforting to
have animals present in their session.
For people who may find traditional talk therapy uncomfortable or intimidating, we offer a variety
of other therapeutic approaches designed to meet their individual needs.
We take a humanistic approach which looks at the whole person. With an emphasis on a person’s
positive traits and behaviors, and their ability to use their personal instincts to find wisdom,
growth, healing, and fulfillment within themselves, we draw on a variety of therapeutic
approaches to tailor sessions to individual needs, interests, and strengths.
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Counselling Support
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At Nourishing Hearts, we support children (5 years and older), adolescents, and families
living with a variety of challenges, including:
Depression
Anxiety
Grief & Loss
Trauma
Abuse
Self-Harm
Self-Identity
Self-Esteem
Confidence
Self-Compassion
Self-Love
Belonging
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Each counselling session is 50 minutes long, with 1 or 2 sessions scheduled each month
Payment is due the week of service delivery, with receipts provided for insurance
24-hour cancellation notice
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Individual Counselling
One-on-one counselling is offered for children and youth living with developmental disabilities,
autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, as well as adoptive
families and children involved with child welfare services.
We use a humanistic approach which may combine animal assisted therapy, nature-based therapy and
play therapy with traditional talk therapy. All sessions are non-directive, allowing the individual to build
confidence, self-agency, sense of control, self-esteem and to discover their strengths.
Individual Counselling sessions are typically 50 minutes long and are scheduled 1 or 2 times each month.
Payment is due the week of service delivery, with receipts provided for insurance reimbursements.
24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations.
Therapeutic Family Sessions - Starting Spring 2026
This 3-hour family experience begins with a meeting with Julie who provides guidance and direction for
therapeutic activities that foster connection, emotional awareness, mindfulness, positive self-love-talk
and coping skills.
At the end of the experience, the families meet again in a group to debrief and explore,
identify and consolidate their learning and growth.
A picnic lunch is provided that accommodates food sensitivities and allergies.
Participation is limited to 4 families per experience, which is covered by insurance under family therapy.
Nourishing Hearts' therapeutic approaches
A Place to Belong
Today's world can be very critical and demanding of unrealistic expectations. Nourishing Hearts offers an escape from those pressures and provides a safe and accepting place to be "just as you are", especially for those who struggle to fit in and to be accepted for their uniqueness.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is based on the core idea that talking about the things that are bothering you can help with emotional distress. By talking through emotions, moods, thoughts, and behaviors, people can learn about their mental health as well as how to cope with those conditions.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, pigs, goats, sheep, and birds, into the treatment plan. It is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment approach specifically developed to help children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old. It provides an opportunity for the child to ‘play out’ his or her feelings and problems, just as, in certain adult therapy, an individual ‘talks out’ his or her difficulties.
Nature Assisted Therapy
Nature Assisted Therapy is therapeutic interventions that incorporate plants, natural materials, and/or outdoor environments. It is based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment. Provides an opportunity to explore their relationship with nature, not only from what they see but from what they experience through other senses as well.
No Talk Therapy
No talk therapy is an approach for the treatment of children and adolescents who won't or can't respond to traditional, conversation-based therapy. Within an interpersonal and developmental framework, the goals of no-talk therapy are to provide someone to be close to, something to be proud of and
to develop wonder.
Therapeutic Art
Therapeutic art involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help people express themselves artistically and examine the psychological and emotional undertones in their art to gain a better understanding of their feelings and behavior so they can move on to resolve
deeper issues.
Sandtray Therapy
Sandtray therapy is a nonverbal, therapeutic intervention that makes use of a sand tray, toy figures, and sometimes water, to create scenes of miniature worlds that reflect a person’s inner thoughts, struggles, and concerns and allows them the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.
Virtual-Play Therapy
For existing clients, virtual sessions are offered when a client has been sick and is contagious. These sessions aim to maintain connection with the therapist, animals and farm.
