- Anger
- Anxiety
- Career
- Couple and Marriage
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Relationships
- Self-Esteem
- Shame and Guilt
- Trauma
- Stress
- Men’s Issues
Find Strength & Support with Wellspring Counselling in BC
Society expects men to suppress their emotions and handle their problems independently. However, these old-fashioned expectations can severely impact your mental well-being, relationships, and overall health.
At Wellspring Counselling, we offer a different way to help you. It takes courage to admit you’re struggling and even more courage to ask for help. We’re here to honor that courage and provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore your challenges, build resilience, and create the life you want.
Based on my experience as a male therapist in Vancouver, BC, advising men from diverse backgrounds in BC and Canada, I have observed that men often feel more at ease with a male counselor. Many men believe that specific experiences, like the relationship between a father and son, can only be understood by another man.
Fathers and sons often avoid discussing their relationship issues and instead focus on external goals. This can lead to a sense of distance and emptiness over time. Many men prefer male counselors because they believe they will better understand their experiences.
Many men seek help with understanding themselves better, managing anger, and dealing with past emotional baggage that still affects them. Learning to manage anger and relate healthily to loved ones can be transformative. Men often wonder how they can address their issues to become more confident, realize their potential, and have healthy relationships without passing their issues on to their children or negatively impacting their loved ones.
Living a life based on what you believe and need in the present, rather than being tied to the past, can feel like a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for others. How would it feel to be seen, heard, understood, cared for, and supported? Do you still need to be alone like you did before? Isolation may have been necessary in the past, but is it still needed now, or can you step out of your protective shell from the past and create a better life for yourself?
Many men don’t seek help because they think it’s not possible or are uncomfortable with therapy. In my practice, tailored approaches help men connect with and address common emotional issues and limiting beliefs.
Each person I help has unique needs and strengths. Some may focus on developing new skills, while others may want to explore their past and connect it to their present and future goals. Looking toward the future can provide direction and help you focus on what you want in life rather than just addressing past issues. Think of counseling as a way to grow personally and improve your life. If life were a sport, would you seek a coach’s help to enhance your performance? Many people find it helpful to think of counseling this way, as it aims at improving life rather than just fixing problems.
If you are facing challenges in life, I can help. With my experience and training, I can work with you to understand your emotional needs and relationship patterns. Together, we can develop better ways to cope and live according to our values and desires.
Counselling for men isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every man has unique needs, so finding the right counsellor is essential. At Wellspring Counselling, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can openly explore your thoughts and feelings.
Men are often told that their feelings, worries, and fears are unimportant. They also said that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But this is not true. Seeking professional help can show strength and determination.
Therapy and counseling can help men better understand their feelings and relationships and develop healthier ways to deal with their problems. It also allows them to explore the causes of their distress.
By understanding themselves more deeply, men can:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a type of counseling that has been proven effective for treating trauma. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain to help process traumatic memories or experiences that are causing distress. By revisiting and reprocessing the complex memory, EMDR aims to reduce or eliminate related symptoms.
EMDR is very helpful for men. Research shows that men tend to rely more on visual memory, so allowing them to “see” their trauma can help them process the memory and relieve their symptoms. EMDR also helps men process their experiences at a safe, controlled pace.
I am trained in EMDR treatment at Wellspring Counselling. I would be happy to discuss this further if you think it suits your situation.
A Special Message from the Director
Clients Say
Mr. Gordon is someone that captures the spirit and the heart of active engagement. He is empathic, genuine and incorporates action and creative problem solving into his practice. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Gordon as an effective career and personal counsellor.
I had no experience with therapy and was unsure of the whole process. Alistair made everything very accessible and unintimidating. It was clear that he puts quite a lot of effort and preparation into every session. I'm so glad that I decided to do this, and could not have asked for a better person to help me with this. I would highly recommend Alistair to anyone who has ever thought that they might benefit from talking to a professional.
I am a young professional which for a long time now, has struggled with anxiety, insecurity, and difficulty in finding effective life coping mechanisms. Alistair was referred to me by a friend and upon the first meeting, I found Alistair to be empathetic, compassionate and intuitive. I have now been seeing Alistair regularly for 6 months and through that time my anxiety has significantly decreased, I have found effective methods of dealing with stress, found support dealing with identity issues, as well as finding inner strength to get through a tough break up. Alistair again and again, went the extra mile -thank you Alistair for your candor, openness and a safe space to get support. Thank you for playing such a large role in keeping me healthy and positive.
I have been working with Alistair Gordon as my counsellor at Wellspring for almost 6 months now and cannot begin to tell you how far I have come with his help. I have tried working with other counsellors and therapists in the past but never really found one that clicked for me. I always felt judged, unsupported, and rushed at those appointments until I booked my first appointment with Wellspring and with Allistair. To anyone on the fence about booking an appointment or engaging in therapy: if you are willing to do the work, you couldn't ask for a better partner in your healing journey.
When I decided to find a counsellor, I tried to find someone that I could relate to, someone that is like-minded and down-to-earth and with Alistair I really found the right person. He uses an integrative approach, showed me techniques to relax and get aware of my emotions, and helped me see things in a new perspective. Of course this is an ongoing process but I enjoy meeting and working with Alistair every time. The downtown office is a very neutral place - not too intimate, not too clinical - which is helpful to overcome apprehension, especially the first couple of times. What I find remarkable is that Alistair almost always knows what I'm trying to say, even if I can't put it into words. Working with Alistair helped me a lot and it was the right decision to put my trust in him.
Alistair really cares about you the person, and I could really feel him trying to tackle my challenges. He was also very available for off-session contact via text and email. I think he did a great job with confronting me where I needed it. Alistair always could remember the important peoples' names in my personal life, which really helped with talking about my problems. I really felt like I was talking to a friend.
Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.
I enjoy how sessions are collaborative where I can take the lead for the direction of what we talk about, and at the same time I know that Alistair will offer helpful guidance and insight along the way. I also like how we focus on the future instead of just the past. I find this to be empowering and helpful to move forward in life.
Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.
I have always felt very comfortable with Alistair. He has a calming presence, and you can tell he cares about being the best counsellor for you. He helps you with all aspects of your concern, and is always able to help me find a solution to the problem I'm having.
Alistair is an exceptionally talented counsellor and has always demonstrated strong ethics, great compassion, wisdom and respect for others. I highly recommend him as a counselling practitioner.
Affiliations
If you live in or near Vancouver, BC, and are ready to take the next step, please schedule an online appointment with me.
During our session, we can discuss your therapy goals, review any questions or concerns, and choose the best treatment plan for you. I’m here to help, no matter what challenges you’re facing.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
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