Don Straub

Life has been one of my greatest teachers. I have experienced the loss of two spouses through death. I continue to learn from others, including my present spouse, 10 children (including their spouses), and 13 grandchildren (some of whom struggle with disabilities). My counselling methods are tailored to the cultural and spiritual background of my clients. I have been a Christian pastor and am able to integrate Christian counselling if requested. I can adapt to all faiths and life philosophies treating all my clients without judgement. I have been trained in a variety of counselling methodologies, but I primarily use cognitive behavioural approaches because of their proven effectiveness as psychotherapeutic approaches. One of the underlying assumptions of cognitive behavioural therapy is that my aim is to make myself redundant by transferring to my clients the knowledge and skills that they need to function independently. In addition to my standard training at a Masters level of education in professional counselling, I have extra training in marriage/couples counselling - (Advanced Gottman Certification) and training in EMDR for trauma. EMDR is recognized by all counselling and psychology associations as one of very best therapies for PTSD. I do in person, virtual or phone sessions.