Christian Couple/ Sex Counselling 

Sherri Scott-Berner

(click picture for Bio information and qualifications.)

We are excited to offer Marriage Counselling, for couples who are in crisis, are having sexual issues, or who just want to sharpen their marital relationship, or improve their communication skills; as well as individuals who are in need of counseling.

Sherri Scott-Berner (co-owner/operator) of My Beloved’s Garden, is offering her Psychological Clinical Counselling services to help those desiring counseling via the internet using encrypted and secure services.

*Face-to-face on-line counseling

*E-mail counseling, and

*Instant Message counseling is available.

604-880-6704

info@marriage-works.ca

Counselling Fees:

***SPECIAL RATE for MBG Customer's only: ***

$60.00 for individual or couples counselling (60min). 

(Regular $80-100.)

*Payment by 2checkout (face-to-face internet therapy, E-mails or Instant Messaging.)

    * Payment is provided prior to your on-line session.

*** A sliding scale may also be available for people with low income, on income assistance, or disability and can be discussed during your free consultation.

SPECIALIZING IN:

Although Sherri specializes in helping couples in crisis, she is also a Paralegal, which allows her to be able to help couples who have decided to divorce and do so amicably, and in most cases without legal representation.  

There are a number of specific issues that are associated with these experiences that I can help you work through:

   * Couples Counselling: help for couples in crisis, or those who wish to sharpen their communication skills.

   *Sex Therapy: To help couples face sexual dysfunction such as: unresponsiveness, orgasmic dysfunction, impotence, erectile dysfunction, retarded/over-controlled ejaculation, pre-mature ejaculation, lack of desire, etc.

   * Infidelity: Helping couples survive the hurt and destruction of infidelity in their marriage

   *Pre-Marital Counselling: A comprehensive study course which prepares couples for a new, productive, and less stressful life as a married couple.

 *Separation and Divorce Counselling: For couples who have decided they need to end their marriage, but wish to do so amicably and preferably without legal representation. 

    * Depression: feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, loss of energy and pleasure.

    * Anxiety: feeling on edge, panic, unable to sleep, heart racing, fear of dying, irritable, need to escape.

    * Grief and Loss: persistent sadness, guilt, loss of energy, yearning, confusion, numbness, anger, flashbacks. (Psychiatric Therapeutic Dog available).

    * Suicidal thoughts and self-harm: thoughts of ending your life/pain, impulses to cut, burn, or otherwise hurt yourself to cope with overwhelming emotions or numbness.

    * Post Traumatic Stress: distressing flashbacks, nightmares, feeling disconnected, unreal, numb, afraid, easily triggered, unsafe, and untrusting of others. (Psychiatric Therapeutic Dog available).

    * Addictions: using alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet, or porn or other addictive things to distract from overwhelming emotions or flashbacks.

    * Emotional Self-regulation: feeling on the edge of an emotional “breakdown,” fear of going “crazy” at work, in school, or at home, inexplicable outbursts of anger, sadness, or fear. (Psychiatric Therapeutic Dog available).

    * Low Self-esteem: being self-critical, feeling like a failure, alone, unacceptable, unattractive, flawed, or unlovable.

    * Life Purpose and Identity: needing to develop a more positive identity based on one’s hopes, strengths, and aspirations instead of past limitations, pain, and loss.

    *Phobias, including Social Phobias, Specific Phobias, and Obsessive –Compulsive Disorder

     *Trained to understand and give qualified speculative diagnosis according to the DSM-IV.

     *Christian-based counseling.

WHAT IS ON-LINE COUNSELLING?

Online Counselling allows clients to communicate confidentially with a qualified professional Counsellor  who gives them emotional support, mental health advice or some other professional service  in therapeutic dialogue using one of three options:  

·        video conferencing (web-cam, voice-over-IP),  

·        text messaging (chat), or 

·        E-mail (safe-mail). 

E-Therapy is a viable alternative source of help when traditional psychotherapy is not accessible.

* Its effective.

* Its private.

*It is safe.

*Its conducted by a skilled, qualified, ethical and professional.

* For some people, it's the only way they can get help from a professional therapist.

However, E-Therapy is not considered psychotherapy and it should not be compared to psychotherapy; nor is it a substitute for traditional psychotherapy. Working with a therapist in person is still preferred. However, many people cannot, will not, or feel too embarrassed to see a therapist in person.

E-Therapy is a form of counselling . Although it falls short of full-fledged psychotherapy, it is still a very effective source of help.

Managed care and the mental health industry often make it difficult for people to get the care that they need, so when traditional systems fail us, many of us are turning to the Internet to receive the help we need, when we need it.

ONLINE COUNSELLING MAY

NOT BE FOR YOU IF...

• you are very busy, perhaps working long hours or unusual shifts, or you travel frequently, and find it very difficult to fit in regular face-to-face appointments;  
• you are housebound for some reason - for instance, if you have limited mobility or care for small children or elderly parents;  
• if you are worried about seeing a counsellor face-to-face and prefer the extra privacy offered by e-mail counselling;  
• if you find it easier to explore difficult issues and feelings when you write them down, rather than talking about them.  
• If confidentiality and being careful do to employment, culture, religion, or being a celebrity is a factor   
• If you are ill or disabled   
• You are often out of town  

·   Y ou live in a rural area  

·        You live in a foreign country 

• Or maybe if you just feel more comfortable staying at home.   

If any of these apply to you, online counselling may be the solution you are looking for. As long as you have reasonable access to a computer and feel comfortable communicating via e-mail, then it is a quick and simple way of working with a counsellor.

Although the vehicle of my therapeutic dialogue is through the internet, I take the same professional approach to Online Counselling as I do for in-person or telephone sessions.  

Online counselling is a joint effort - by sharing your thoughts and feelings with me, you will no longer be dealing with them on your own. I can work with you to find new ways of understanding and dealing with the difficulties you are facing, and encourage you to explore new ways to move forward using “tried and true” problem-solving skills, challenging you, or by using numerous other approaches that may be suitable to your specific needs.

Why On-Line Therapy?

·          With E-Mail, On-line Therapy, one does not need to book an appointment, or wait for one’s appointment time before one can start counselling. Since the e-mail we exchange IS the counselling, one can be in "a counselling session" any time day or night. In fact, one can write to their own on-line counsellor whenever one has a few minutes.

·          For any type of Internet Therapy, one does not need to travel  to their counselling appointments. This costs you time, fuel, and possibly parking fees. There is no travelling involved. One does not have to dress up. You may choose to cuddle up on your couch in your sweats or pajamas with a cup of your favorite tea. 

·          One also does not need to set aside a large amount of time in order to travel to your counselling appointment, have the session, and return home. Depending on the distance of a counseling office, you could save a significant amount one’s precious time. 

·          With E-Mail Therapy, one does not usually remember everything their counsellor has said. Normally one hears and remembers only what seemed important at the time. Each client has a record of every single word spoken with their counselor if they save their ongoing correspondence. One might find one part of a Therapy E-mail important one day, and notice something completely different on another day. As well, if one experiences the problem again in the future, he or she can be reminded of what their counsellor said, and how they solved the problem the first time.  

·          One can re-read their Therapy E-mail. This can save couples (or individuals) money and provide positive encouragement and reminders of one’s progress, and re-affirm the guidance provided previously by their counsellor. 

·          One can tell others what they have learned in counseling, choosing to share every word of their online counselling experience with others. It may be years after online counselling that you have a child or a friend who is going through a similar issue. Sharing parts of your Therapy E-mail could be far more powerful than talking about it.  

·          Many clients feel more open to deal with deep issues and not worry about superficial things, like what their counsellor thinks of their appearance. In in-person counseling, someone could see you walking into a counselling office or sitting in a waiting room or your vehicle could be recognized. This can be potentially hazardous for those in certain occupations (pastors, politicians, management moguls, or celebrities.  

·          On-line Therapy uses secure technology. You can receive counselling without anyone knowing.  

·          Any kind of abuse involving physical contact is impossible. 

On-line is not for you if…

If you are feeling suicidal or your need is urgent, then Online Counseling is not the best mode for communicating.

Or…

If you are experiencing intense emotional distress and need an immediate response, call your local crisis centre, or contact your family physician, or hospital/clinic.

I am fully qualified and experienced. I am happy to offer an initial discussion of your problem without any obligation.

Please contact me by phone to arrange a suitable time for your first on-line counselling session. 

604-880-6704

info@marriage-works.ca

I have no idea how to set up an on-line video or voice over IP!

If you are computer savvy, I have given step-by-step instructions how to set up your own web cam connection with me, however, if this seems overwhelming, our professional computer staff can access your computer remotely and set up your computer and even quicken your computer speed for better syncing of mouth/voice, for the low one time price of $20.00. Feel free to call or E-Mail me for more info.

How safe is my information?

Our payments from you are accepted through Pay Pal which allows your payment information to remain completely confidential and encrypted.

My computer, where any of your E-Mails may be stored, is protected by a state of the art security system and E-mails are encrypted.

Confidentiality is imperative to our working relationship! No one besides myself will ever view any of your correspondence or therapeutic notes accept in the following situations…

• There is a risk of imminent danger to an identifiable third party or to self.  
• There is suspicion of child abuse or neglect.  
• A disclosure is ordered by a court.  
• The client has agreed to share information with another person (e.g., physician, family member, etc).  

(http://www.bc-counsellors.org/code2001.aspx#consent) 

I run my practice by the following Code of Ethics:

FOR MORE INFO: Marriage Works Website: