Our Therapy Book Club Services

Step 2: Getting to Know You and Setting Your Path Forward

Welcome to Step 2 of your journey with Turning Tides. This is where we truly begin to understand who you are, what brings you here, and what healing and growth look like for you. Think of this step as the foundation we build together before moving forward.

What Happens in Your First Session

Your first session is a conversation, not an interrogation. We'll spend about 50 minutes together getting to know each other. During this time, Kotone will listen to your story, understand what's been challenging for you, and learn about your hopes for what could be different. This is a safe space where you can share at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.

We'll explore several things together:

• What brought you to seek support right now
• Your personal history and what matters most to you
• How you've been coping with difficult emotions or experiences
• Your strengths and the resources you already have
• What you hope to achieve through counselling

Our Intake Conversation

Rather than filling out lengthy forms, we have a genuine conversation. We ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to your answers. This helps us understand not just what you're experiencing, but who you are as a person. We're interested in your values, your relationships, your work, and what brings you joy. All of this matters.

We'll also talk about your trauma history if you have one, your current challenges, and any previous counselling or support you've received. There's no judgment here. We're simply gathering the information we need to support you effectively.

What to Bring and Prepare

You don't need to bring much. Just bring yourself and your willingness to explore what's possible. Here's a simple checklist to help you prepare:

Understanding Your Needs Through Conversation

We use a collaborative approach to understand what's happening in your life. This isn't about testing you or labelling you. Instead, we have thoughtful conversations that help us see the full picture. We might ask you to reflect on how certain situations make you feel, what patterns you've noticed, or what you wish were different.

If you've experienced trauma, we'll talk about this gently and at your pace. We're trained in trauma informed care, which means we understand how trauma affects the nervous system, emotions, and relationships. We won't push you to share more than you're ready to share.

Setting Goals That Matter to You

Goal setting is one of the most important parts of Step 2. This isn't about us telling you what you should work on. Instead, we explore together what matters most to you and what you want to be different.

Your goals might include things like:

• Healing from past trauma or difficult experiences
• Building healthier relationships with yourself and others
• Managing anxiety, sadness, or anger in new ways
• Discovering your life purpose and what brings meaning
• Developing stronger self-esteem and confidence
• Learning to regulate your emotions when things feel overwhelming
• Moving through a major life transition with more ease

We'll talk about what success looks like for you. What will be different? How will you feel? What will you be able to do that you can't do now? These conversations help us create a roadmap together.

Addressing Common Concerns About This Process

Will you judge me for what I share? Absolutely not. We've heard many stories and understand that everyone's journey is unique. Our role is to listen without judgment and support you with compassion.

What if I don't know what my goals are yet? That's completely okay. Many people come to counselling uncertain about what they want. We'll explore this together, and your goals can evolve as we work.

Will this feel like therapy from a movie? No. We don't use clinical language or make you feel like you're being analysed. We have real conversations about real life.

What if I get emotional during our conversation? That's welcome and normal. Emotions are information. If you need a moment, we can pause. You're in control of the pace.

How long will this step take? Your first session is 50 minutes. Some people know their goals right away. Others need a few sessions to explore. We'll move at your pace.

What happens if I decide counselling isn't right for me? We respect your choice completely. We can discuss what might work better for you or simply part ways. There's no obligation.

Our Therapeutic Approaches

Once we understand your needs, we'll talk about which approaches might help you most. We draw from several evidence based methods, including Internal Family Systems work, which helps you understand different parts of yourself. We also use somatic approaches that work with your body's wisdom, cognitive behavioural techniques that help shift thought patterns, and acceptance and commitment therapy that helps you live according to your values.

The beautiful part is that we tailor these approaches to you. What works for one person might not work for another, and that's exactly why we take time to understand who you are.

What Comes Next

After Step 2, you'll have clarity about your goals and the approach we'll use together. You'll understand what to expect from counselling and how we'll work as a team. You'll feel heard and understood. And you'll be ready to move into the deeper work of healing and growth.

This step is about building trust, establishing safety, and creating a shared vision for your healing journey.

Ready to Begin?

If you're ready to take this step, we'd love to meet you. Book your first session through our online booking platform. If you have questions before booking, you can also reach out to us directly.

Book Your First Session

You can also email us at info@turningtidestoday.com or call 778-321-6058 if you'd like to chat before booking.

We're here to support you. Your healing journey matters, and we're honoured to be part of it.

Step 3: Your Therapy Book Club Journey

Welcome to Step 3. Here's where the real transformation begins. You're about to join a community of people who understand what you're going through, and together, you'll explore healing through meaningful conversations and shared reading.

What Happens in Your Sessions

Each week, you'll gather with others for a 60-minute session focused on trauma and healing through literature. Our therapy book club serves as an affordable alternative to individual counselling, creating space for connection, learning, and growth.

Your Typical Session Breakdown

Therapeutic Techniques We Use

Our approach draws from evidence-based practices tailored to support your healing. Here's what guides our work together.

• Internal Family Systems informed work: We help you understand the different parts of yourself and how they respond to trauma. Through the stories in our books, you'll recognise these parts and learn to work with them compassionately.
• Somatic awareness: We pay attention to what your body is telling you. Healing happens not just in the mind but in the nervous system. You'll learn to notice and trust your body's wisdom.
• Narrative exploration: Stories have power. By exploring characters and their journeys, you'll find new ways to understand and rewrite your own story.
• Cognitive approaches: We gently examine thoughts and beliefs that may be holding you back. Through discussion, you'll discover new perspectives that serve you better.
• Acceptance and commitment work: Rather than fighting difficult feelings, you'll learn to move toward what truly matters to you, even when emotions are present.
• Psychoeducation: Knowledge is power. Understanding how trauma affects the brain and body helps you make sense of your experiences and respond with self-compassion.
• Group support and validation: Knowing you're not alone changes everything. The group becomes a mirror, reflecting your strength back to you.

Between Sessions: Your Homework and Practices

The real work happens between meetings. These practices deepen what you discover in the group and help you integrate insights into your daily life.

Reading and Reflection

You'll receive assigned chapters or sections before each session. Read at your own pace. As you read, notice what stands out. What resonates? What triggers you? What inspires you? These reactions are data. They're telling you something important about yourself.

Reflective Journaling

Keep a journal dedicated to your book club journey. Write about your reactions to the reading. Explore how the themes connect to your life. Document insights that emerge. Track patterns you notice. Over time, your journal becomes a record of your transformation.

Guided Reflection Questions

Your facilitator will provide reflection questions designed to deepen your engagement with the material. These aren't tests. They're invitations to explore. Take your time with them. Write, think, feel your way through them.

Skill Practice and Integration

The books we read often introduce coping strategies, communication techniques, or mindfulness practices. Between sessions, you'll experiment with these in your real life. Notice what works. Notice what feels challenging. Bring your experiences back to the group.

Accountability and Personal Goals

You might set small, achievable goals inspired by what you're learning. Perhaps it's practising a new communication style. Perhaps it's spending time in nature. Perhaps it's simply being gentler with yourself. You'll track your progress and share what you discover.

Self-Care Practices

Healing requires tending to yourself. You might explore grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, or movement. Your facilitator will introduce tools that support your nervous system regulation between sessions.

Progress Tracking: How We Know You're Moving Forward

Healing isn't always linear, and progress isn't always obvious. We track your journey in ways that honour the complexity of recovery.

Reflective Conversations

At key points in the book club, your facilitator will check in with you. These aren't formal assessments. They're genuine conversations. You'll reflect on what's shifting. What feels different? What insights have stuck with you? What's becoming clearer?

Between-Session Email Support

Between meetings, you can reach out via email with questions, reflections, or challenges. Your facilitator will respond with support and guidance. This keeps the work alive between sessions and ensures you're never alone with difficult feelings.

Personal Journaling Patterns

Your journal becomes a mirror. As you review your entries over weeks and months, patterns emerge. You'll notice shifts in how you think, feel, and respond. You'll see evidence of your own resilience.

Shared Group Observations

The group often notices changes in each other. Someone might say, 'I've noticed you seem more at peace.' These reflections from others can be powerful reminders of your progress.

Real-Life Changes

Progress shows up in your actual life. You might notice you're sleeping better. You might find yourself responding to conflict differently. You might feel more connected to people you care about. These lived experiences are the truest measure of healing.

Your Role in This Process

This is collaborative work. You're not a passive participant. You're an active agent in your own healing.

• You choose what to share and what to keep private.
• You decide how deeply to engage with the reading and reflection questions.
• You set the pace for your own growth.
• You bring your authentic self to the group.
• You contribute to the safety and support of others.

Creating Safety in the Group

Trust is everything. We create safety through clear agreements.

• Confidentiality: What's shared in the group stays in the group. This is sacred.
• Respect: Everyone's experience is valid. Everyone's pace is honoured.
• No fixing: We listen to understand, not to fix or advise.
• Opt-in participation: You share when you're ready. Silence is always okay.
• Trauma informed care: We understand how trauma affects the nervous system. We move slowly. We ask permission. We respect boundaries.

What to Expect Emotionally

Healing work can bring up big feelings. That's normal. That's actually a sign you're engaging authentically.

You might feel moved by someone's story. You might have unexpected tears. You might feel anger or sadness surface. You might also feel hope, connection, and relief. All of these are welcome. Your facilitator is trained to support you through whatever arises.

If something feels overwhelming, you can always pause, step back, or reach out between sessions. Your wellbeing comes first.

Ready to Begin?

Our therapy book club meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Sessions are online, accessible from anywhere. The investment is affordable, making healing accessible to more people.

You can join at any time. If you're new, your facilitator will help you catch up on the reading. You'll be welcomed fully into the group.

To book your first session or learn more about the current book we're exploring, visit our online booking platform.

Book Your First Session

Our therapy book club serving all of British Columbia, including Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and communities throughout the province. Sessions are delivered online, making healing accessible wherever you are.

Step 4: Completion and Ongoing Support

You've reached a meaningful milestone. Step 4 marks the transition from active book club participation toward sustainable healing and independent growth. This is where we celebrate your progress, evaluate your readiness for completion, and establish the foundation for lasting change.

Progress Evaluation

As you move through Step 4, we'll reflect together on your journey. This isn't about clinical measures or formal testing. Instead, we'll have conversations about what you've noticed in yourself. Have your responses to difficult emotions shifted? Do you feel more connected to others in the group? Are you sleeping better, managing stress more effectively, or finding moments of peace that weren't there before?

These reflections matter far more than any score or rating. Your own observations about your healing are the truest measure of progress.

Signs of Readiness for Completion

You may be ready to complete the book club when you notice:

• You've developed practical tools for managing trauma responses and difficult emotions
• You feel less isolated and more connected to your own resilience
• The readings and group discussions no longer feel urgent but rather supportive
• You're able to apply insights from the book club to your daily life with growing confidence
• You've built meaningful connections within the group that provide ongoing support
• You feel equipped to continue your healing journey independently or with other resources

Completion isn't about being 'fixed' or having all the answers. It's about feeling grounded enough to move forward with what you've learned.

Maintenance Strategies for Long-Term Wellness

Healing doesn't end when you leave the book club. Here's how to sustain your progress:

Follow-Up Support Options

Completing the book club doesn't mean you're on your own. Our community therapy book club serving all of British Columbia offers several pathways forward:

• Return anytime: You're welcome to rejoin the book club at any point if you feel you need additional support
• Individual counselling: Our trauma informed counselling services are available if you'd like deeper, one-on-one work
• CPTSD support group: If you're navigating complex post-traumatic stress, our specialized support group provides ongoing community connection
• Between-session email support: You can reach out via email between sessions if you need guidance or want to share how you're doing
• Life coaching services: If you're ready to explore life purpose, mindset shifts, or personal growth beyond trauma recovery, we offer coaching as well

Celebrating Your Growth

Take a moment to acknowledge what you've accomplished. You showed up. You were vulnerable. You listened to others' stories and shared your own. You learned new ways of understanding yourself and your experiences. That takes courage.

The fact that you're here, in Step 4, means you've committed to your own healing. That commitment is everything.

Ready to Book Your Next Step?

Whether you're completing the book club and ready to explore individual counselling, or you'd like to stay connected through our other group offerings, we're here to support you. Our online booking platform makes it easy to schedule your next session or consultation.

Book your session now at: https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling

You can also reach us directly at info@turningtidestoday.com or 778-321-6058 if you'd like to discuss which option feels right for you.

A Final Word

Healing is a journey, not a destination. The work you've done in the book club has given you tools, insights, and community. Carry these with you. On difficult days, remember that you're not alone. On good days, celebrate how far you've come. And whenever you need support again, we're here.

Thank you for being part of our community. Your presence has enriched the group, and your commitment to your own healing inspires us all.