Journeys Toward Wellness:
Counselling and Holistic Wellness
Karen Smith Herrow (MSW, MEd, RSW)
Registered Social Worker
Reiki Master | Harp Therapist
01.
"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do." ~Brene Brown
Counselling
In-Person and Virtual Services Available
Thank you for your courage in considering counselling.
Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Are you facing a challenge or life transition? Do you want to make changes, but are not sure where to begin? It is common for people to feel stuck along the journey of life. Yes, the path, at times, can seem perplexing, painful, and overwhelming.
Sometimes we need a space and place to talk things out, gather resources, look at challenges in new ways, and plan for a way forward.
I work collaboratively with you to help you set your goals, gather tools and resources, create change, and move forward in healing.
All the while, I honour your story and journey while building upon your inner strength and resiliency. Support through life's difficulties is available. Growth, transformation, and moving forward is possible.
Areas of Focus:
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Maternal Health
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Chronic Pain
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Chronic Illness
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Grief and Loss
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Life Transitions
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Trauma
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Stress and/ or burnout
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Mental Health and Wellness
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Self Esteem
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Holistic Wellness
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Cross Cultural Support
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Meditation/ Mindfulness
I use a variety of approaches to therapy including:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Meditation and Mindfulness
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Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Emotional Freedom Technique
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Narrative Therapy
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Strength Based, Solution Focused, and Empowerment approaches
We will choose the combination of approaches together to match your unique goals, plans, and situations.
You may use talk therapy alone, or combine counselling talk/ therapy along with Reiki and/ or harp therapy.
What happens during a session?
During the first session, we will have an in-depth talk to gain a deeper understanding of your problem/ situation and how you are experiencing it. You will also set your goals for counselling/ therapy. We will put together a plan on how to move forward, selecting different strategies you would like to try (e.g. CBT, ACT, Mindfulness). In subsequent sessions, we will learn and try out different strategies, connect to supportive resources, discuss your progress, and adjust the plan accordingly. Along the way, we will celebrate your successes and victories.
I hold counselling sessions at the Fonthill Physio and Wellness Centre as well as virtually.
How can I book?
You may contact me at karenherrow@gmail.com to book your initial session. Feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute in-person, phone, or virtual meeting to answer your questions and see if I am a good fit for you.
Harp Therapy
Since ancient times, live harp music has been used to support holistic healing.
Let the beautiful vibrational energy of the strings envelope you as the music uplifts and calms the human spirit. Harp playing can reduce pain, tension, and anxiety, and promote an overall sense of peace and well-being. Let the soothing sounds of the harp surround you as the music creates a calm, peaceful and restful atmosphere.
What happens during a session?
I play beautiful healing harp music to support your personal journey of healing and well being. Simply relax, listen to the music, and let the soothing vibrational energy of the music surround you.
Feeling stressed? I can play music at a tempo to bring your heart rate to a calming beat, helping you to feel more at peace. Working through a process of grief or a life transition? I can play peaceful, non-rhythmic music to support you.
Who can benefit from Harp Therapy?
People who are living with:
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Chronic Stress
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Chronic Pain
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An Illness or Long-Term Health Issue
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Healing from an operation/ medical procedure
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Grief/ Loss
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Facing a Life Transition (e.g. a change, or beginning or end-of-life).
New Babies, New Parents, and Mothers preparing to birth
How can I book?
Simply contact me (karenherrow@gmail.com) to book an in-person or virtual session.
Sessions can be held (for an individual or group) at the Fonthill Physio and Wellness Centre or Simply Holistic by Diana.
Sessions can also be booked at a retirement or nursing home, or hospital, or hospice settings.
Listen to my music:
Feel free to listen as I play a peaceful song on the harp. If you would like to hear more, you may visit my dedicated harp website at www.niagaraharpist.com to listen to my recordings from my albums Unexpected Journeys (2011) and Simple Gifts (2006).
Reiki
What is Reiki?
Reiki (Ray-Key) is a beautiful healing energy, which restores balance of the mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Everything in our world is made of energy, including our physical bodies, thoughts, and emotions. As we come to a deeper understanding of this, we can become more open to forms of energy healing.
What happens during a session?
During a session, the healing universal life energy (Reiki) flows through the practitioner’s hands to the recipient to balance energy and promote overall well-being. The recipient relaxes comfortably on a massage table or sits on a chair, fully dressed. The practitioner gently places their hands on or near the body, lightly resting or floating in one area before moving to the next area. Different sensations may be felt, including warmth, tingling, coolness, et cetera. Many clients mention they feel very relaxed and have a profound sense of calm and peace.
Who can benefit from Reiki?
Among its many uses, Reiki can be used to support relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and manage pain. People living with long-term illnesses, report feeling relaxed during Reiki sessions. Reiki can be used to support journeys of grief, life transitions, and new parents (and babies) learning to adjust to new sleeping patterns and ways of living.
How can I book?
Simply contact me (karenherrow@gmail.com). Reiki treatments can be booked for 30 or 60 minutes, in person, or distant healing. Sessions include a full body treatment for overall balance and healing, as well as chakra balancing. In-person Reiki can be offered at Simply Holistic by Diana or the Fonthill Physio and Wellness Centre. Reiki may be used alone or combined with another modality, such as harp therapy and/ or talk therapy.
About
Karen Smith Herrow
Overview:
I am a Registered Social Worker (MSW) (Couselling/ Psychotherapy,) Teacher (M.Ed, OCT), professional Harpist, and Reiki Master (Usui Shiki Ryoho) who is committed to processes of transformation, growth, holistic wellness and healing. I have been honoured to journey with people of all ages from many walks of life, both in Canada and internationally. I believe there are many ways of healing and offers a variety of methods to my clients, whether through counselling, harp therapy, Reiki, or teaching. It is my joy and privilege to be at the Fonthill Physio and Wellness Centre and Simply Holistic by Diana.
Counselling:
As a Registered Social Worker, I have a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto (2008) and am a member of the OCSWSSW (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) and OASW (Ontario Association of Social Work). I also have a Masters of Education from Brock University (2001). Many of my areas of focus have grown from lived experience (e.g. Maternal Well Being, Illness, Grief and Bereavement) and I know first-hand the importance of supportive wellness services. It is my privilege to walk alongside clients, building upon their inner strength and resiliency. It is my honour to be a part of an interdisplinary team at the Fonthill Wellness Centre/ Pelvic Physio Niagara. I have also worked in a variety of other settings, including supporting refugees and the settlement sector, and at-risk youth.
Harp Therapy:
As a professional harpist of over 25 years, I have played harp in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, funeral services, fundraising concerts, weddings, by the bedside of people who are ill, etc. I have used the harp to promote well-being for children and adults living with special needs, for people living with long term health issues, for people living with chronic pain, for people who are stressed and overwhelmed. In my teaching practice, I also uses harp as a way of practicing mindfulness and meditation. I am currently completing my studies in the Therapy Harp Training Program to gain further credentials as a Certified Healthcare Musician (qualifying). You may listen to some of my recorded music from my albums Unexpected Journey (2011) and Simple Gifts (2006) on my harp website www.niagaraharpist.com
Reiki:
I am a certified Reiki Master (Usui Shiki Ryoho), offering sessions to clients seeking holistic wellness. I have known the blessings of Reiki in my own life and first learned it to support family's journeys of wellness. After years of practice, I am now honoured to also share this beautiful energy with others. I have studied Reiki Levels I, II, and III (Masters) through the Reiki Training Academy and Reiki Levels I and II locally. I am a member of the Reiki Healing Association.
