Gary Hartford

Gary grew up in nearby Gold River and is happy to call Campbell River home. The enduring passions in his life are his family, learning, and being outdoors. He loves good books, good company, and good thoughts. He can often be found riding his mountain bike in the Snowden Forest.

Qualifications

• Registered Clinical Counsellor #3581

• Master of Counselling-Specialization in Counselling Psychology

Specializations

• couples & relationships

• overwhelming sadness

• excessive worry and fear

• substance misuse & abuse

• stress

• loss

• youth

• family

• First Nations clients

Experience

I have worked in a variety of contexts with a wide range of persons experiencing difficulties. As a result, I am comfortable working as a counsellor with: children, youth, and adults; individuals, couples, families, and groups; men and women; and across cultural differences. I have worked in wilderness settings and schools, community service organizations and residential programs, and in private practice. For four years my family lived in Bella Bella, a First Nations community on BC's Central Coast, where I was a teacher and counsellor. Prior to solely working as a counsellor in private practice, I was employed as a Youth and Family Substance Use Counsellor by the John Howard Society of the North Island. Currently, I am employed two days per week by School District 72 as a counsellor at Robron Centre.

Therapeutic Approach

I approach counselling from the perspective that the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem. This is one of the axioms of narrative therapy, and the narrative therapy approach to resolving problems is predominant in my work with clients. What I appreciate most about this approach to helping people overcome problems is that it is very empowering. The narrative therapy approach provides people with space to cultivate a preferred way of being in the world.