Sean Couch, BSW, RSW, MACP
scouch-lacey@ignitecounselling.ca
​He/Him/His

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​I am a Registered Social Worker with a background in generalist social work practice in rural Northern contexts. I have received an award of excellence as part of a team for my work in developing, creating, and using innovative therapeutic programming initiatives. I have received special recognition from the Courts for my work with marginalized persons. I orient myself to a person-centered, strengths-based perspective, while aiming to enhance an understanding of the individual as self in context, to assist individuals in understanding themselves from their own perspective and to maximize their potentials for self determination; I believe that one’s ability to self-determine in accordance with one’s own values and principles is an essential element of the whole being.

I have recently finished a Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology, and I also have a background in Neuroscience and Mental Health. I have been well trained in biopsychosocial-spiritual, systems theory, and cognitive approaches to consider the whole person. I tend to employ cognitive strategies and perspectives in my work with others. However, I am aware that there is no one size fits all approach to the human endeavour and that ‘our’ work together is about your best interests as you determine them. There are multiple pathways to pursue these and there is always another way. You will always have full control of the therapeutic process and I am ethically engaged.

I am a member of the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and a registered professional member of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (SASW) as well as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

I have considerable experience in working with issues around mental health, trauma, complex-trauma, substance use, and behavioural addictions with children and adults ages 13 +. I engage in reflective practice, clinical supervision, and self-care counselling to work on the safe effective use of self. My favourite self-care strategy is to be in or on the water: fishing, standing waist deep in the flowing waters watching the fish jump, seals swim upriver in chase of salmon, mother bear teaching her cubs to fish, while mother duck collects her gaggle of little ones as the eagles screech their presence overhead. Sometimes it is about being on or in the water with my dogs. This is a feeling of deep connection, a deep-rooted and powerful connection to the world around me.
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I have worked as a counsellor in the criminal justice system, I have worked therapeutically in remote Northern communities, I have collaborated with persons with diverse cultural backgrounds providing safe spaces for individuals to process their thoughts, feelings, emotions, while learning new ways and discovering the inner strengths to build self agency. I have experience working with individuals and groups on concerns ranging from substance use, anger, depression, anxiety, trauma, criminal justice, violence (intimate partner violence/sexual), sex and sexuality.   
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Areas of Practice
  • Trauma, Complex Trauma, and related concerns such as self-harm/self injury 
  • Mental Health – Depression, Anxiety, in context of neurocognitive or non-neurocognitive expression 
  • Individuals presenting with – Personality/Anti-Social/Borderline Personality Features 
  • Suicide – Including suicidal/peri-suicidal thoughts ideation  
  • Impulse dysregulation, and related concerns such as behavioural addictions (E.g. - internet/gaming), substance use/abuse/misuse
  • Relational concerns – Friends, family, intimate partnerships, and to you (the self)
  • Stress, adjustment issues, and solution focused strategies
  • Strengths building, capacity building, skills building – Systems Theory perspectives

  • While I tend to say that I operate from a cognitive perspective I acknowledge that this is not a fixed one with prescriptive checkpoints but one that is fluid and dynamic in its approach to the lived experience of being human. However, there are times when ‘we’ just get stuck and could use a little assistance getting back on track, something purposeful perhaps? Afterall, it is about you, as you are the expert of the subject of you. 

Credentials & Trainings
Some of my recent certifications:
  • Student Member – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (11244446)
  • Social Worker – Generalist Practice – Systems Theory / Ecological Perspective (BSW)
  • Registered Social Worker [RSW – (SASW/OCSWSSW)]
  • Trauma and Mental Disability Law
  • Suicide Assessment, Management and Prevention (Youth / Adult)
  • Violence / Intimate Partner / Sexual Violence Risk Assessment
  • Psychological Assessment / Inventory  
  • Group-Individual Program Facilitation (Substance Use / Intimate Partner Violence / Sexual Violence)
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Biopsychosocial-Spiritual (Whole Person) Assessment (Youth / Adult)
  • Neuroscience and Mental Health – King’s College London (Research Stage – MSc.)
  • Master of Arts and Counseling Psychology – Yorkville University (Practicum Stage - MACP)
  • FASD Certificate Program – Case Management Concerns (Youth / Adult)
  • Understanding Dementia – University of Tasmania – Wicking Institute
  • Ethical decision-making, ethical principles, and applied ethics in forensic practice, social work practice, and counselling practice
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  • The above is not an exhaustive list of training, education, and experience. The information I provide is for you to decide whether or not my experience may be a fit with your concerns.