Paraklesis Counselling launching in Niverville.
Paraklesis Counselling, a new practice that is opening in Niverville, has the support of local doctors from the Niverville Primary Health Care Centre.
One in every five Canadians will have a mental health problem. Only one in three depression sufferers seek help. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Paraklesis Counselling is holding a launch event for its practice which specializes in coming alongside those with emotional, psychological, and mental health issues, especially those who have medication-related issues.
“Although depression can be effectively treated, only one in three depression sufferers go for help,” says Dr. Mervin van der Spuy, founder of Paraklesis Counselling. “Many people struggling with mental illness are unsure about whether they should take their medication, many stop and start, and many are resistant to the idea of medication.
“As a previous professor of counselling psychology, therapist in private practice, and pharmacist, I specialized in pharmacologically informed counselling. My passion is now to serve clients with medication-related counselling issues in Southeast Manitoba by reaching out to them through Paraklesis Counselling.”
This dessert function also marks the launch of Paraklesis’s new website featuring an innovative service: online counselling (E-Therapy), including email consultations, chat and video counselling, which makes counselling more accessible and affordable for many.
Dr. Chris Burnett and Dr. Mairi Burnett, local doctors at Niverville Primary Health Care Centre, have expressed their support for Paraklesis Counselling; they are the keynote speakers at the launch event where they will talk about the physician-patient-counsellor triangle.
“Mental illness is increasingly recognized as a serious and growing problem. Studies indicate that in any given year, one in every five Canadian adults under age 65 will have a mental health problem. Many more individuals such as family, friends and colleagues are also affected,” states the Manitoba Mental Health Association website.
“There are a number of reasons people struggle with a mental disorder without reaching out for help,” states the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, “yet we know that the earlier people get help, the better the outcome.”
“This free community launch event comes right before Mental Health Awareness Week, which seeks to ‘end the stigma associated with mental illness, and ensure better understanding and access to diagnosis and treatment,’” says Dr. van der Spuy. “Our launch supports this goal in its entirety and seeks to inform and support those directly in Southeast Manitoba who are struggling with issues that are depriving them from experiencing wellness.”
Paraklesis Counselling was founded in 1992 by Dr Mervin and Hildegard van der Spuy and is celebrating its ‘re-launch’. Since Dr. van der Spuy retired from full-time teaching at the end of 2010, the part-time practice has become full-time and the e-therapy component added. Dr. van der Spuy is a professional counselling therapist, pharmacist, pastor and lecturer, who specializes in clinical psycho-pharmacology, and researches and writes about pharmacologically informed psychotherapy in Christian counselling. Dr. Mervin and his wife, Hildegard, live in Niverville, MB, Canada. For them the literal meaning of the word ‘Paraklesis’, ‘coming alongside others’, is central to their life.
