Our diverse team of clinical counsellors and social workers are here to help with healing the whole you. They are committed to providing the highest quality of compassionate and confidential care.
Healing Your Body, Soul and Mind.
Meridian Integrative Health is committed to providing a well rounded wellness clinic to their clients. With access to our Clinical Counsellors and Social Workers, you can feel comfortable and confident in working towards your specific needs with our therapists. Our staff are dedicated to providing exceptional care and promoting overall wellness for our clients.
Offerings.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a body and brain focused therapy. “This form of therapy allows people to heal from emotional distress from traumatic events that were not fully processed.” “EMDR therapy is guided by the Adaptive Information Processing theory, which describes how memories are processed and stored. The theory is that some traumatic memories cause distress because they have not been processed and released, but rather have gotten stuck in the amygdala (the emotional centre of the brain) and the hippocampus (the memory centre of the brain), causing a heightened fight or flight response, negative beliefs and intense emotional responses [when triggered by a stressor in the present]. EMDR aims to focus on the memory itself, not removing it, but changing the way it is stored in the brain and therefore, reducing the vividness of the traumatic memories [and the emotional charge when triggered]. Key components include grounding exercises, visualization, resource building, thought replacement and bilateral stimulation (often eye movements). As a client moves through the process, their brain is able to reprocess how the memory is stored, thus reducing the distress associated with the memory and installing positive thoughts and emotions instead.” -Ismail, N. & Courntey, D. (Sept 2022)What Is EMDR Therapy?
We are fortunate to have EMDR therapy offered by counsellor Cheryl Gouchie, who is part of our dynamic team here at Meridian. EMDR has been found to be effective for treating people suffering from PTSD and many people who have experienced traumatic experiences, especially when combined with other talk and skill-based therapies. Great care is taken through collaboration between therapist and clients to ensure clients meet the readiness criteria for EMDR.
If you would like to learn more or book an appointment to meet Cheryl, please contact us.
Youth Counselling
Navigating the journey from childhood to adulthood can be a challenging and transformative experience. Adolescents may face emotional, social, and psychological challenges that often leave them feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. Youth counselling provides a safe and supportive space for young people to address, express and feel supported in these challenges and thrive. We understand that the struggles young people face are as diverse as they are. Our approach to youth counseling is based on the principles of trust, empathy, and personalized care. We offer a range of therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, art therapy, family counselling, and more, to support and guide our clients toward growth and well-being. Our team of skilled and compassionate youth counsellors is dedicated to helping adolescents find their strength, resilience, and confidence as they navigate the path to adulthood. They are able to help with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, anger management, grief and loss, trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
Individual Counselling
Individual counseling can be a highly effective means of addressing personal issues and enhancing mental health. It provides a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where individuals can work towards personal growth and emotional well-being. Our registered clinical counsellors and social workers are able to work with individuals who may be struggling with depression, PTSD, anxiety, stress management, substance abuse and addiction, life transitions and goal setting, parenting skills and strategies for their children and youth, conflict resolution, and more. We are committed to providing professional, compassionate, and confidential counselling in your journey toward mental and emotional well-being. Our team of experienced and licensed counsellors is dedicated to helping you navigate life’s ups and downs. We are dedicated to helping you discover the strength and resilience within yourself to overcome life’s challenges. Whether you seek support for a specific issue or are looking to enhance your overall well-being, we are here to walk this path with you.
Your wellness journey starts here. Contact us today to begin the process of healing, growth, and positive change.
Emotion Focused Family/Parenting Therapy
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes addressing and expressing emotions within family dynamics to improve relationships and individual well-being. It helps family members identify and process their emotions, develop healthier communication patterns, and understand how their feelings influence their interactions. The goal is to create a more supportive and empathetic family environment, fostering healing and connection.
Helpful Links.
Services.
Both of our counsellors offer services for individuals, couples, and families. We also work alongside programs for those who are victims of crimes through the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP), WorkBC, and Disability Management Institute (DMI). Please call the clinic with any questions you may have about these services and how you can access them if needed.
Meet Our Practitioners.
What Our Clients Say.
“I had a number of sessions with Cheryl Gouchie and found her gentle approach to be very perceptive, candid, informed and compassionate. Two of the sessions included EMDR that I found to be highly effective in dealing some PTSD experiences (which was the main reason I was there). Cheryl took great care to explain the process and what I might expect, so there were no “big” surprises other than the discovery of significant healing. I have no hesitation in highly recommending her.” – A.B
Cheryl is a Registered Social Worker (Registration #14524) with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. She is trained in EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Smart Recovery, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and Emotion Focused Family Therapy. Cheryl has been providing mental health counseling and support to adults, teens, and parents for over 8 years. She uses a strength-based trauma-informed approach with her clients, providing therapy for a range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship issues, substance abuse and other addictions, along with parenting challenges, and loss and grief. Treatment plans are developed with EMDR in mind, recognizing the impacts of negative childhood and adult experiences on the brain and body, interrupting its natural tendency towards health, and its ability to cope with current stressors.
Cheryl has seen rapid growth and healing in her clients as they are able to identify and alter negative belief systems, through reprocessing the memories and traumatic experiences that contributed to their development. This is completed while helping them uncover internal resources and acquire skills and strategies from other therapies to support their mental wellness and recovery journey. Cheryl’s practice is fuelled by her belief that people have within them the solutions to their problems, and they can improve their lives, when provided with information, empathy, and a reassuring environment that promotes self-awareness and self-acceptance.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, practicing in Salmon Arm, BC. I have a passion for helping people overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, self-esteem, cultural diversity, stress management or men’s issues, I am here to support you and guide you on your journey of healing and growth.
I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and over twelve years of experience in the helping profession, in various roles. I have been in private practice since 2018 and I offer individual counselling for adults and older youth (16+). My approach is client-centered, meaning that I tailor my interventions to suit your unique needs and preferences. I use evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and other modalities to help you cope with your difficulties and enhance your well-being.
I believe that counselling is a collaborative process that requires trust, respect and compassion. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable to share your thoughts and feelings without judgment. I also believe that counselling is an opportunity for learning and growth, where you can discover new perspectives, develop new skills and find new solutions.
I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and over twelve years of experience in the helping profession, in various roles. I have been in private practice since 2018 and I offer individual counselling for adults and older youth (16+). My approach is client-centered, meaning that I tailor my interventions to suit your unique needs and preferences. I use evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and other modalities to help you cope with your difficulties and enhance your well-being.
I believe that counselling is a collaborative process that requires trust, respect and compassion. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable to share your thoughts and feelings without judgment. I also believe that counselling is an opportunity for learning and growth, where you can discover new perspectives, develop new skills and find new solutions.
What Our Clients Say.
“Vlad Polyakh was kind, compassionate and understanding with my son. He made sure to take the time to understand his struggles and worked alongside him/us to develop coping strategies that work for him that were age appropriate and easy to understand. We all felt very confident and supported in our sessions.” – R.S
