Just a thought about me…

My name is Janel Derrick and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC-ACS #12852) with a Master in Counselling Psychology. I’ve been working in the field of psychology in one form or another for over 25 years.

Initially, I started as frontline support working with children on the autism spectrum from which I grew into a Behavioural Consultant working with this same population.

Now, and for the past several years, I have added the role of clinical counsellor working with individuals, couples, groups, and families who are navigating mental health and life challenges of many kinds.

I’m also a real person, who has lived a real life that has not been without challenges, so I like to think I’m pretty relatable and I get it when someone tells me that things are tough and I know the bravery it can take and the value of asking for help.

Just a thought
about my approach…

My approach is pretty simple, I’m here to listen, understand your lived experience, and help you feel better in your real life. I don’t believe counselling is prescriptive and I’m not going to tell you what to do (I know you have lots of people in your life who will give you advice), even if you really really want me to.

I’m here to assist you in reflecting, call things into question, challenge you to consider different perspectives and support you in deciding what you are going to do.

I’m going to do this using a variety of therapeutic orientations including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-based work, Person-Centered Therapy, and a Feminist Lens and I am going to combine these approaches (and maybe others) to individualize your therapy. Additionally, I am versed in supporting individuals with concerns and/or questions related to sex and intimacy, using a sex-positive counselling approach.

It’s also important for you to know that I’m what you might call a “bold” therapist and I definitely have a bit of an edge. I am not afraid to ask you hard questions, talk to you about real things, dig deep with you, and sit in discomfort (because counselling can be uncomfortable).

I believe in supporting you to make the changes you want and also keep the stuff you love and I will do so by fiercely believing in you, even when you might not. There are going to be times when you really appreciate this quality and there are going to be times when that is less true, but I am here for you through all of this.

Ultimately, my goal is to help you to feel better and the “how” we get there, we get to figure out together.

Just a thought
about “Invicta”…

Invicta counselling was founded in 2020, but it has been a dream for years. When I thought about what I wanted to convey in a name, I knew I wanted it to represent strength, resilience, advocacy, authenticity, and a respect for the challenges that come our way. 

I chose the word “invicta” because it means “unconquered” and when I think about that word, I think about the fact that it doesn’t suggest a lack of struggle, it suggests perseverance in the face of struggle. 

We don’t necessarily win every battle and we might even fall from time to time, but being unconquered (to me) means that no matter what, we persevere, we grow, we learn, we adapt, and then we get to look back on our challenges and be proud of how far we have come. We have remained unconquered.