Sandy Holmes

My new telephone number is 613-599-4435
As of October 1st, 2011, my office will be located at 555 Legget Drive, Suite 140, Kanata

Mediation is a process of assisted negotiation where the third party/mediator facilitates the process and the people involved in the conflict determine the outcome. 

Mediation is an excellent choice in resolving the complex issues involved when a marital relationship breaks down resulting in separation.  It is a very efficient and reasonably priced alternative to lawyer-lawyer, arbitration or family court options.

In Family Mediation, issues about your children and what happens to promote their health, happiness and well being through and after the separation are resolved.  Co-parenting plans and a separation agreement are developed.

Essentially, counselling/psychotherapy  is ‘talk’ therapy, using specialized methods and psychotherapeutic techniques  based on psychological theories, sociological, economic and cultural factors to develop a personalized and individual course of treatment to help a client:  deal with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc.:   develop understanding of an immediate crisis, a current or long term difficulty and develop good coping strategies;  achieve the ability to better relate to others or understand change and/or conflict;  attain personal insight, or growth and development; or pursue their search for meaning. 
 
It is practiced within a confidential, clearly defined relationship between the therapist and client in which the client sets the goals they want to achieve.  In an atmosphere of mutual respect, the therapist assesses the issues with understanding and awareness of the cultural, social, economic, spiritual, gender, sexual orientation and political context of the client.   The client decides what issues they wish to deal with and what their goals they wish to achieve in therapy.  The client decides whether their therapy will be long or short term.

Counsellors are mental health care professionals who have taken intense and specialized training (including a Master’s level degree and a period of internship working with clients in a supervised clinical setting)  and who have been accredited and certified by their professional association. 
 
The professional association monitors the ongoing professional development as well as the standards and ethical practices of the therapist and provides the client with the process for investigating any irregular  experiences.