Frequently Asked Questions About Counselling, Coaching, and Mediation
Have questions about our counselling, coaching, and mediation services in Brockville? Find answers to common queries about our processes, services, and what you can expect when working with Simon Erlich.
Cancellation Policy
We offer a full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment are not eligible for a refund.
What are Simon’s educational qualifications and training?
- Masters of Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
- Masters of Geography, University of Toronto
- Bachelors of Geography, University of Toronto
- Internal Family Systems Level 1 – IFS Institute
- Mediator Certificate – Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada
- Collaborative Conflict Resolution – Justice Institute of British Columbia
- Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration – Numinus Wellness
- ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Training
- Mental Health First Aid Certified
- 5 Years Professional Coaching Experience Working at Canadian Universities
We focus on practical and achievable steps to creating positive change, making tasks more manageable and aiming to reduce anxiety.
Our process of Goal Focused Coaching can be broken down into stages:
- Exploration: an exploration of one’s aspirations, values, worldviews, strengths, and potential barriers to achieving their goals.
- Goal & Intention Setting: establishing what you wish to work toward
- Situational Assessment: an evaluation of your current context, resources, and obstacles
- Developing A Roadmap for Change: the creation of a structured plan comprised of committed actions that empower you to work towards your goal
- Implementation, Reflection, and Refinement: the action phase of actively working towards your call supported by check-ins that help fine-tune what is working and adjust what is not.
- Celebration, Gratitude, and Evaluation: celebrating our goals and expressing gratitude honour the work we have put in and those that have supported us.
If you have more questions or are ready to explore whether we might be a good fit, please book a discovery call. I look forward to meeting with you
While always remaining neutral, Simon approaches mediation from a deeply empathetic, understanding, compassionate, and caring perspective. Simon possesses great skill in supporting parties to move beyond their presented issues and into discussing what is important. Furthermore, Simon uses a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach which enables him to support the creation of a safe space for mediation as well as recognizing when cultural difference may be impacting mutual understanding. As you can see below, Simon brings a vast array of professional and personal life experience to his work.
First Contact
- Your first contact with the mediator provides the chance to discuss the mediation process as well as your hoped-for outcome and your reasons for participating.
Mediation Sessions
- The mediator outlines the rules, goals, and process of mediation, and remind participants of the importance of open and honest communication and cooperation in reaching a settlement.
- We use an interest-based model which is designed to encourage participants to think beyond their dividing issues and illuminate what is important to them.
Final Agreement
- If an agreement is reached, it is documented by the Mediator in a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines the points of agreement reached between the parties.
Payment
- Payments can be made in cash or e-transfer.
- A 50% deposit will be requested following the initial consultation to hold an appointment time. The remaining payment will be collected at the end of each session.
- Please read our cancellation policy for more information about deposits.
Simon’s orientation to doing this work is twofold: first, he wishes to live in a world where folks feel comfortable and confident to be as they are, and he believes psychedelics offer a powerful tool – although not a panacea – to aid in the self-discovery process. Second, use of psychedelics has the potential to cause harm, particularly for those with complex mental health challenges and those without appropriate preparation and integration. Accordingly, Simon wishes to support others in their exploration of psychedelics from a harm reduction perspective.
While Simon believes in empowering people to take right action in their lives, there may be folks that he will not work with based on his perception of risk, as understood from current scientific evidence. Although he believes “bad” or challenging psychedelic experiences offer immense benefit, he is not interested in potentially creating more harm in this world.
Please note that given the complex nature of this work, Simon engages in voluntary supervision from a practitioner who has over a decade of experience providing psychedelic-assisted therapy. No identifying details will ever be shared with them.
If you have more questions or are ready to explore whether we might be a good fit, please book a discovery call. Simon looks forward to meeting with you.
Our approach to preparation includes the following:
- Building rapport
- Identifying and reducing risks
- Developing, reflecting on, and refining intentions
- Identifying and managing expectations
- Cultivating Set and Setting
- Creating a support and self-care plan
- Identifying helpful resources, support objects, and support people
- Developing a plan for navigating the period following the session
Our approach to integration includes the following:
- Managing emotion
- Processing the experience
- Making meaning
- Attending to spiritual needs
- Creating committed action
- Connecting with others
For those of you looking for more information or wishing to inquire further about my services, please Book a Discovery Call
I offer services locally in Brockville, Ontario or online. I look forward to meeting with you.
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