Sandra Forbes, M.Sc., RSW, RPO,

Sandra is a Therapist, Counsellor and Coach. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario Association of Social Workers, is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (Canadian and Ontario Associations) and Approved Adoption Practitioner, Province of Ontario. Additionally, Sandra is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) and a Certified Coach (Foundations Certificate, Integral Coaching Canada). She is committed to helping people succeed in their personal, family and professional lives. She coaches and counsels individuals, couples and families. 

Sandra's approach  is to address the patterns that are draining energy and preventing you from being where you want to be personally, at work and in relationships. These patterns may reflect underlying, or root issues. These will be addressed so you can reduce the stress and pain that is holding you back. This increased freedom from patterns that are no longer working and issues that are energy draining, creates an opportunity to move beyond coping and to transform. Change comes by taking small manageable steps that can make a big difference. Ultimately you decide what you want for your life given your unique desires and circumstances. I can help you find the way.

Sandra has developed a unique approach to meeting client needs. This approach moves beyond the traditional session structure and provides you an opportunity to engage in an active process that will move you toward transformation at whatever pace works best for you.  Sandra's goal for clients is to move through the coaching or counselling process in the most effective way without a requirement for long-term, ongoing therapy.  This results oriented approach is topic specific and helps you to address issues most important in your life at this time.

In the area of Marriage and Family Therapy, Sandra has specialized experience that enhances her work with couples and families in the following areas:

•  Communication challenges 
•   Rehabilitation and adjustments in ability levels (for some, disability)
•   Acute and Chronic pain 
•   Restoring Trust in Relationships 
•    Infidelity & Intimacy Issues
•    Developing Healthy Boundaries
•     Marriage Preparation (courses, counselling and therapy)
•      Separation & Divorce
•      Caring for Aging Parents
•     Pre and post adoption issues including adoption preparation
•    Parenting in challenging circumstances (including parenting children living with ADD, ADHD, and attachment challenges).
•    Fertility issues

Sandra’s counselling practice includes working with individuals who are faced with a variety of issues including:

•    Anxiety & Stress
•     Overcoming Depression
•      Self – Worth 
•     Identity Issues & Re-evaluation of Purpose
•     Critical incident stress/trauma Resolution
•     Living with Chronic Pain, dealing with changes in function and ability   levels
•     Career Change / Major Life Transitions
•    Infertility
  

Sandra’s Coaching Practice focuses on short term active practices that provide a surprisingly transformative experience in an area identified by you. Some examples of common coaching topics fall in the following areas:

• Career and life transitions
• Increasing effectiveness in professional/work life
• Enhancing experiences of joy and passion in life
• Finding the path to travel when chronic pain and or changes in ability levels are a part of your life journey.

Sandra has been married for 26 years. She has a thirteen year old son and 17 year old daughter.  She has personal and professional experience with international and domestic adoption and was the leader of one of the largest international adoption agencies in Canada. She has an award of merit for work in Employee Assistance and an Award of Recognition for Critical Incident Stress, peer support programs. Sandra has personal experiences that enhance her understanding of those living with and impacted by pain and disability.  She currently provides services to clients in Ottawa, Kanata and parts of Eastern Ontario. For clients elsewhere, Sandra is also an e-counsellor and provides internet or phone counselling and coaching to individuals anywhere in the world. She does travel to deliver services nationally and internationally upon request.

Contact Sandra at 613-314-5952 or sjforbes111@me.com. To discuss your needs and how she or her associates can assist you in moving beyond where you are now toward the future you want. You can visit her website at http://www.coachingandcounsellingottawa.com/ or www.easternontarioadoption.com .