Randy loves to work with a wide variety of client populations, including diverse religious/spiritual backgrounds, ethnic and racial minorities, and many members of the LGBTQ community.
Randy has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and Gestalt Experiential Psychotherapy. His work is also strongly influenced by Jungian psychology, Buddhist philosophy and Existential psychology.
Randy’s goal is to treat all his clients with the respect and individuality they deserve as unique human beings. He believes so much of our life, whether we thrive or survive, is based on our perception. Randy approaches life by perceiving the glass as half full. Then we can all receive the grace of gratitude.
Randy believes learning is a lifelong process. He began doctoral studies in 1985, taught undergraduate students, and taught at the Centre for Conflict Resolution, Justice Institute of B.C for seven years. Randy became Senior Trainer and delivered dozens of courses and 3-to-5-day experiential skills training workshops in Anger Management, Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills. These courses were highly interactive, and he enjoyed the work immensely.
Before that, in 1985, Randy graduated with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from U.B.C. His thesis explored self-esteem and designed and implemented an eight-week program (three hours per week) for ten men. He collected thousands of real-life experiences from this data and discerned 18 different factors facilitating self-esteem.
We need anger and self-esteem for our psychological and physical survival. However, inflated self-esteem becomes arrogance, and hindered self-esteem becomes apathy, passivity, depression or “passive aggressiveness.” If we experience anger too intensely, it becomes rage and can be acted out in aggression or even violence. On the other hand, strongly suppressed anger can lead to depression, passivity, inability to be assertive, and passive-aggressive behaviour.
At 31 years old, Randy was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and by 1991 the foremost specialist gave him, at most, five years to live. He quit doctoral studies, embarked on his lifelong dream to travel the world, and attended silent Vipassana Buddhist meditation retreats. A cure arrived for his condition in 1996, and Randy has far exceeded the amount of time given to him by the specialist. It has been 30 years, and still going strong. Yet again, life is predictably unpredictable. Twenty years ago, Randy’s partner took his own life. This trauma was probably the worst he has ever experienced. He experienced PTSD and was not able to work for 18 months. But then again, Randy stood up again.
Randy then worked as a clinical counsellor/psychotherapist for Canada’s largest E.A.P. (Employee Assistance Program) for 18 years. He has worked with thousands of clients, including folks whose primary issue is anger/anger management and many couples in distress due to anger, conflict, unhealthy communication, physical and emotional abuse, infidelity, parenting, and separation.
Randy has also worked with stress (work and home), mental illness (mood disorders, anxiety, and depression), career and burnout concerns, substance abuse, seniors, and adolescent issues.
Randy joined our team in September of 2020, and we are honoured to have him with us.
For Randy’s Fees, click here.
