Delyse Legdard RCC
Delyse Ledgard RCC Director and Counsellor
My perspective on Therapy
A transformative experience results from the interaction between therapist and client. The goal is not to ‘cure’, rather to utilize the integration of therapeutic experience that increases your capacity to continue to live life on your own terms and become whole.
Together we find what really matters to you, to find your energy for life and connection to your true self. We will work together to increase your strength and resilience where you learn to work with your inner pain and struggles to live and deal with life’s uncertainty, frustrations and disappointments.
My job is to be with you, attend to you, and create a safe space to explore your thoughts, emotions and behaviour. As your therapist I seek to align myself with your natural life force and give attention and reflection to an opening to the self. It seems that everywhere you look there is a new technique or approach that promises fast, effective results. Experience has shown me that techniques are tools within an ongoing process where human connection and understanding are the conditions for change.
I am not someone who is going to give you a to do list, or tell you what you need to do. As much as you may wish for someone to come up with a solution to your difficulties I am here to empower you to create the life you wish and realize that you are the only one who knows what’s best for you.
To figure out what is getting in the way of living more fully takes slowing down, sensing into and reflecting on our experience to unravel the complexities of our defenses that have kept us from experiencing who we truly are. Defenses have developed to help us cope with our experiences (family, school, relationships, trauma), but so often cause problems in relationships and our ability to be at ease with everyday life.
Relationships are central to all our lives and so an important focus is how we relate to others. These areas will come up at different times depending on what you want to focus on. For more information on the therapy process see the video Why do I get so overwhelmed? Or the page What to expect.
I have over 25 years experience in counselling and have been in private practice since the mid 90's. I have training in many approaches and influences but I would say the main orientations are a psychodynamic and mind-body approach that seeks to create a space for you to move towards wholeness. Together we will develop a relationship and way of working that fits for you. See Orientations for more information on my approaches
Professional training and experience has provided me with a varied background.
I started as a social worker in the east end of London, England. Quite a challenge for sure!! I soon realized this was not for me; I found the role too bureaucratic and I could not facilitate the kind of personal change I was interested in. So I started to train as a Gestalt Psychotherapist and from there went on to complete my graduate degree in counselling psychology after I moved to Canada from England. I have trained with highly experienced psychologists such as Andrew Feldmar, Patricia Wilensky, Ellyn Bader, Sharon Stanley – to name a few. My training and interests have given me an eclectic perspective. I have developed a mind-body approach that uses orientations from psycho-dynamic, somatic, gestalt, and cognitive behavioral orientations.
As a therapist it is important to me that I provide a space where you feel able to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour comfortably. That my relationship with you is built on attention, safety, respect, knowledge, care, and openness. I view people as whole, there is no more importance to thoughts vs emotions, mind vs body. I view my own development as an essential part of the work and maintain ongoing study, training and personal development.
I belong to the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
I am registered to take on clients with Crime Victims Assistance claims. and RHAP (Residential Historical Abuse Program) clients.
I live in Vancouver, having moved here from England over 20 years ago. I live with my husband and spend a great deal of time thinking up new art projects and organize events for the local burning man community.