Louise Doucet

Hello/Bonjour,

I’m Louise Doucet, (she/her) Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate. Someone recently asked me why I got into counselling. The simplest answer is it’s who I am and always have been. I was the kid in our friend group the others trusted with the heavy stuff. Strangers have stopped me in the street, in grocery store line ups and at social events to share their lives with me. Holding space for others is as natural as breathing to me. When facing an overwhelming emotional experience, so many people feel lost, isolated and alone. Counselling, first and foremost, is a way to relieve that sense of aloneness and form a trusting, collaborative relationship with someone who accepts you just as you are.

My goal is for you to gain a deep understanding of yourself, your needs, feelings, and behaviours, and how these impact your everyday life and relationships. We will work to create the tools and strategies you need to be empowered to live your life authentically and feel fulfilled.

I specialize in working with neurodivergence, ages 16+ and especially a late diagnosis of ADHD. It’s my special interest because I’ve lived it. I learned of my ADHD halfway through my master’s program and saw how it was the underlying thread in so many things I’d struggled with and excelled at. It was validating and infuriating! The unexpected grief that came with it hit like a ton of bricks. Not only did ADHD affect my day-to-day life, it had an enormous impact on interpersonal and professional relationships. Intimate partners can struggle with so many things and one or both having a neurodivergence can add another layer of challenges that are helpful to seek counselling for. Having someone to navigate all that with would have been a gift which is why I have gone on to become a Certified ADHD-Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP).

I have a master’s degree in counselling psychology (RCT-C), registered with Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists, a Diploma in Human Services and Addictions Counselling, a BA in Psychology and a whole host of other education and experience in between.

Since 2014 I have worked with acquired brain injuries, addictions, workplace violence and stress, infidelity, intimate partner violence and women who have experienced criminalization. Self-Esteem, big life transitions, personal and retirement identity, anxiety and depression are additional areas I have experience working with.

My focus is always a Person-Centred approach first with Narrative, Strength Based and some CBT with Mindfulness as we progress. Next on the list of specializations to come is a certificate in Somatic Trauma Therapy. The connection between our bodies and our emotions fascinates me. As someone who lives in her head, and has always been a daydreamer, exploring these somatic connections is proving invaluable. The biggest link I’ve noticed so far is how our thoughts and sense of self are affected by the sensations in our bodies. These sensations often have very little to do with the present moment but are active because we’re reminded of something in the past. I could talk about it for hours.

I look forward to meeting you, getting to know who you are and working toward your goals for yourself.