CHRIS BITTEN  Registered Clinical Counsellor

My Approach to Counselling       

I believe that warmth, skill, understanding and empathy are essential qualities in my approach.  I want to create a safe environment: where my client’s story is heard and respected, where his or her goals are understood, where emotions and thoughts can be expressed in depth, and desired change can be facilitated and supported.

We all have behaviour we wish to modify, losses that we need to grieve and recover from, relationships we wish to improve and manage, and families and caregivers who have left us a legacy of their influence, for better or worse.   We have ideas about how life should be lived: standards, ethics, hopes, dreams.  Building our communication skills is a lifelong task.  A secure and confidential counseling environment can help so much in healing and self-development.

A therapist, I believe, needs to be reliable, consistent, open and responsive to feedback, non-judgmental and caring. 

I am engaged in my continuing education: seminars, study, courses, conferences, and attend a consultation group with other therapists.

To find out more about my theoretical orientation, please follow this link:

http://www.integrativetherapy.com/en/integrative-psychotherapy.php

My Qualifications   

My credentialing is as follows:

Registered Clinical Counsellor (0501) who was certified in 1991.  This is a master’s level credential. 

International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC) since 1989.

Successful completion of a two-year training program in the theory and supervised practice of Family Systems Theory (Pacific Coast Family Therapy Training Association, 1986)

Certified Employee Assistance Professional since 1987.  This credential applies to workplace-based counseling programs. 

About My Practice

I currently work three days a week in my private practice.  Evening and weekend appointments are available.  Fees are very reasonable and are payable by cash or personal cheque.  I do require at least 24 hours’ notice of any appointment change/cancellation.  And, if I am unable to make your scheduled appointment and provide you less than 24 hours’ notice of that, I give you a free session.  The way I see it, both my time and yours are valuable.  This is consistent with my respectful approach.

My office is located near the entrance to Granville Island, and is wheelchair accessible.  Parking is available nearby. 

A number of my clients have struggled with addictions. Here are  Some Thoughts About Addiction