Providing services in counselling, psychotherapy, and education since 2004

Counselling and Psychological Services in the Comox Valley

Ethical, caring and safe relationships form the fabric of a rich and joyful life, therefore, individual and community healing go hand in hand.

We believe in the healing power of a therapeutic relationship, where clients can feel valued and empowered to envision, practice and create change. Creating this relationship is the starting point for therapy. In all aspects of our work – therapy, assessment, consultation and education – we are committed to our clients and to the bonds of family, friendship and community that sustain them. We are proud of the way that we, as a practice, contribute to community health.

Areas of special interest include: trauma, depression, life changes, grief, and chronic pain. Also, issues relating to adoption, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), early life trauma, attachment-related difficulties and parenting challenges. We treat military veterans and their families with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, adjustment difficulties and/or chronic pain.

Grünberg Patterson Centre for Counselling and Assessment is a partnership between Dr. Serena Patterson, Ph.D., and Monika Grünberg, R.C.C. Since 1997, we have supported each other in daily practice, and offered a team approach to working with families.

Our Team

Dr. Serena Patterson, R. Psych.

Registered Psychologist

Dr. Serena Patterson received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 1992. From 1990 to 2010 she taught courses in Psychology, Human Development, and Social Justice at North Island College, while maintaining a private practice in counselling and assessment. Since 2011 she has been engaged in full-time private practice. In therapy, she works with couples, families, and individuals with a wide range of concerns, including mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD, physical pain, trauma resulting from military service, accidents, illness, sexual or childhood abuse, and life transitions.

Dr. Patterson continues to build her skills with on-going professional development across therapeutic modalities of emotion focused therapy for couples, attachment based therapies for parents and children, cognitive–behavioural and psychodynamic therapies for traumatized adults.

IN MEMORIAM

Monika Grünberg, M.Ed., R.C.C.

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Monika Grünberg received her Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 1999. Prior to completing her degree she worked primarily doing therapy with traumatized women and children in the Greater Vancouver area. She moved to the Comox Valley and began full-time private practice in 1998. Since the completion of her degree, she has received additional training in many therapy modalities and in working with diverse populations of families and adults.

Monika specializes in emotion-focused and attachment-based therapies for families, couples and individuals who have histories of troubled relationships. She uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and solution-focused short-term therapy in short term work. She also uses experiential modalities such as Theraplay and play therapy with children using Jungian-based sand tray work with adults, and biofeedback.

Basira Godfrey, M.Ed., R.C.C.

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Basira Godfrey received her Masters degree in Counselling and Leadership Studies from the University of Victoria in 2004. Prior to completing her degree she taught in the Public Elementary School system and worked with traumatized children and their mothers in a Transition House. Post-degree Basira worked as a therapist for a Non-Profit agency for 17 years. This work gave her experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, dissociation, grief, loss, PTSD and complex PTSD. Basira's approach is person-centered, collaborative and feminist and grounded in humanistic, strength based holistic psychological theories. She has completed levels one and two EMDR training. Basira also has trained in somatic body centered therapies including Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems and CBT also inform her practice. Basira strives to assist clients with self-regulation, which means being able to fully experience their emotions and bodily sensations without being overwelmed. When people are present with their entire selves—physical, emotional, social and spiritual—they are better able to process traumatic memories without them crowding out joy, purpose and connection in the present moment. This is the purpose of revisiting traumatic experiences: to allow the past to stay in its place, while we fully claim the possibilities of living life forward.

Our Space

Having a space that is set apart from the daily world allows our clients to focus deeply, to try out new ways of seeing what goes on in their lives, and to develop new skills that they bring to their relationships, work and play when they return to their daily lives.

We focus on the human beings that have come here to tell their truths.

It also allows us, as therapists, to focus without distraction on the human beings that have come here to tell their truths and to grow stronger through doing so. In this special place we find our own power to witness, to honor, and sometimes to transform the stories that get told.

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About

Grünberg Patterson Centre for Counselling & Assessment has been providing services in counselling, psychotherapy, and education since 2004.

It is an honour and privilege to live and work in the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.

Contact

112-2100 Guthrie Rd, Comox, BC V9M 3P6

Phone: (250) 941-1555
Fax: (250) 941-1553
Email: admin@grunbergpatterson.ca