Sharon Bulger

Sharon Bulger

MA, RCC

Child & Youth Counselling, Couples Counselling, Family Counselling, Individual Counselling

Hello! I am passionate about the work that I do with clients because I believe we all deserve to live our best lives and to do so, we need to find our best selves. My desire to help others achieve healing and wellness is longstanding. I am a wife and mother with a story full of beautiful and challenging life experiences that have shaped who I am today.

My background prior to working as an RCC is diverse, but all of it revolves around people! It includes Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy with kids, working with higher risk youth and their families, people development, coaching, training and event management.

My work as an RCC is my passion. I am a person-centred and trauma-informed clinical counsellor who draws from various therapeutic modalities to collaboratively tailor sessions around clients’ unique strengths, needs and goals. I have experience with youth, individuals and families and believe each person has the innate potential to heal and thrive. While I am happy to come alongside clients with whatever they are navigating, some prominent areas of experience include life transitions, life-threatening illnesses, medical trauma and diagnosis, grief and loss, family dynamics, personality disorders and neurodiversity (ie. ADHD, ASD).

I look forward to meeting you! Please feel free to book a complimentary consultation. This is a great way to meet me and assess whether you feel that I am a good fit for what you are looking for. My promise to you is that if I am not, I will send you some other referrals to help you find the therapist who is! Why would I do that? Because 95% of the success in therapy is due to the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client - it is important that you find someone you trust and connect with!

Counselling Modalities

Riverbend Family Counselling began as a passion to create safe, welcoming spaces where all experiences, no matter how big or small, were welcome. 

Research tells us that the most important factor to finding healing, wellness and change within the counselling process is based upon the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client. Counselling modalities are the various therapeutic approaches and techniques that support treatment plans.

Our practice at Riverbend Family Counselling is to create custom, tailored treatment plans that are efficient and effective and allow our clients to reach the goals they want so that they can return to living their lives the way they want. As such, we are proud to be trained in a variety of modalities to ensure that we can create a plan that works best for each client. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling overwhelmed by them. ACT focuses on helping clients align their actions with their core values, fostering psychological flexibility and promoting a fulfilling life. By combining acceptance strategies with commitment and behavior-change techniques, ACT helps individuals navigate life's challenges with resilience and purpose.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a creative therapeutic approach that uses the process of making and interpreting art to help individuals explore their emotions, express themselves, and resolve inner conflicts. By engaging in artistic activities such as drawing, painting, or sculpting, clients can access and process feelings that might be difficult to articulate through words alone. Art Therapy is effective for individuals of all ages and can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. This approach fosters self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Christian-Centred Counselling

Christian-Centred Counselling is available for any clients who wish to integrate it into their therapy sessions. Incorporating Christian beliefs and values into counselling can be powerful for those whose faith plays a key role in their lives and worldview. This approach blends psychological principles, and other modalities listed with the foundations of the Christian faith. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. By addressing distorted thinking and developing healthier coping mechanisms, CBT helps individuals manage a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Through structured sessions, clients learn to challenge harmful beliefs, enhance problem-solving skills, and achieve lasting emotional well-being.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly structured form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals regulate emotions, manage stress, and improve interpersonal relationships. Developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT combines techniques for mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication. By fostering a balance between acceptance and change, DBT empowers clients to build a life worth living and enhance their overall mental well-being.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. By using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, EMDR helps reframe distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact. This evidence-based therapy is particularly effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related issues, facilitating a path to emotional well-being and resilience.

Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Therapy is a therapeutic approach that views the family as an interconnected system, where each member's behavior and emotions affect the entire family dynamic. By addressing patterns of interaction and communication within the family, this therapy aims to improve relationships, resolve conflicts, and foster a healthier, more supportive environment. Therapists work collaboratively with family members to identify dysfunctional patterns and develop strategies to enhance understanding, cooperation, and emotional well-being for all members.

Play Therapy

Play Therapy is a therapeutic approach specifically designed to help children express their emotions, resolve conflicts, and develop coping skills through the natural medium of play. By engaging in play activities, children can communicate their thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive environment. Play Therapy is effective in addressing a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and social challenges. Through guided play sessions, children gain insight into their experiences, build self-esteem, and improve their emotional well-being, all while fostering a sense of trust and security.

Sand Tray Therapy

Sand Tray Therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses a sandbox and a variety of miniature figures to help individuals express and explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In a safe and supportive environment, clients create scenes and stories in the sand, which can reveal underlying emotions and conflicts. This non-verbal, creative process is particularly beneficial for children but can also be effective for adults dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Sand Tray Therapy fosters self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth by providing a tangible, visual medium for self-expression and reflection.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Trauma-Focused Therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. This practice integrates various evidence-based techniques to address the emotional and psychological impact of trauma. By creating a safe and supportive environment, therapists guide clients through the process of confronting and reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing their distressing effects. Trauma-Focused Therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related issues, empowering them to build resilience and achieve emotional well-being.

Reach Out Today and Restore Joy In The Journey!

Feel free to book a 15-20 complimentary video or phone consultation to learn more about what counselling might look like for you. There is no obligation - it takes courage to reach out and explore!

BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION CONTACT