Integrative Approach to therapy
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and having been part of many trainings over the past decade in Vancouver, I work from an integrative and person-centred framework, drawing from Compassionate Inquiry®, attachment-based therapy, somatic approaches, and trauma-informed counselling. This integrative approach allows therapy to be tailored to each individual’s needs, combining relational insight, nervous system awareness, and reflective exploration to support meaningful and lasting change. therapeutic approach is best described as integrative.
This includes formal training with Dr. Gabor Maté’s specialized Compassionate Inquiry® approach in Vancouver, BC. Compassionate Inquiry® is a trauma-informed, mind- and body-aware counselling method that helps clients explore how early experiences, stress, and coping strategies have shaped emotional, relational, and physical responses over time. Through this training, clients are supported in recognizing unconscious patterns that may no longer serve them and in developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and choice in their daily lives.
Many people seeking Compassionate Inquiry® therapy in Vancouver come to counselling feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves or their relationships. This approach emphasizes curiosity, compassion, and present-moment awareness, helping clients gently explore thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations as they arise. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or cognitive insight, therapy helps uncover the deeper patterns, beliefs, and protective strategies that shape behaviour, stress responses, and relational dynamics.
Additionally, My Somatic therapy approach empasises nervous system regulation and emotional processing. When the nervous system has been shaped by chronic stress, trauma, or early relational experiences, it can manifest as anxiety, thought loops, emotional reactivity, tension, shutdown, or disconnection. Somatic therapy approaches used in sessions support clients in noticing body sensations and stress responses, allowing emotional experiences to be processed and integrated in a way that promotes resilience and regulation.
Attachment-based therapy also plays an important role in the counselling process. Early relationships can shape how individuals experience trust, safety, and connection with others. Within the therapeutic relationship, clients have the opportunity to explore these attachment patterns as they appear in the present moment. Over time, this relational experience can support the development of greater emotional security, healthier boundaries, and more fulfilling relationships.
In addition to other trainings such as Dr. Susan Johnson’s Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Circle Of Security, Dr Gordon Neufeld’s Power To Parent, trauma-informed counselling, Somatic therapy and mind–body approaches, polyvagal-informed nervous system regulation, person-centred therapy, play-therapy & play based informed therapy for children, and integrative psychotherapy.
An Integrative therapeutic approach can be particularly supportive for individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, self-criticism, and patterns that feel repetitive or difficult to change. Many clients also find this combination helpful when emotional stress shows up through physical tension, withdrawal, irritability, or difficulty expressing feelings.
These integrative approaches, including Compassionate Inquiry® therapy is inclusive and supportive for individuals of all genders who are seeking trauma-informed, relational, and body-aware counselling in Vancouver.
This approach does not require reliving or retelling traumatic experiences unless it feels safe and meaningful to do so. Instead, therapy unfolds gradually and collaboratively, supporting clients in building insight, emotional regulation, and self-compassion within the safety of a supportive therapeutic relationship.
If you are looking for Compassionate Inquiry®, Somatic therapy, or attachment informed therapy in Vancouver, trauma-informed counselling in British Columbia, Connor Burns Counselling offers a compassionate and integrative approach to healing.
Therapy can support you in developing greater awareness of yourself, strengthening emotional resilience, and building more meaningful relationships in your life.
FAQs
What is Compassionate Inquiry®–informed therapy?
Compassionate Inquiry®–informed therapy is a trauma-informed counselling approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté that helps clients understand how early experiences, stress, and coping strategies shape emotional, relational, and physical responses. In therapy, this approach is integrated with attachment-based and somatic perspectives to support deeper self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing.
What does an integrative approach to therapy mean?
An integrative approach means therapy draws from multiple evidence-informed frameworks rather than relying on a single method. At Connor Burns Psychotherapy in Vancouver, counselling integrates Compassionate Inquiry®, attachment-based therapy, somatic awareness, and person-centred counselling. This allows sessions to adapt to each client’s experiences, goals, and pace.
How does Compassionate Inquiry® work in therapy sessions?
This approach involves gently exploring thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and bodily sensations as they arise in the present moment. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, therapy looks at the underlying emotional patterns and protective strategies that developed earlier in life. Through curiosity and compassion, clients gain insight into these patterns and develop greater choice in how they respond to stress and relationships.
What concerns can this type of therapy help with?
Trauma-informed and integrative counselling can support a range of concerns including anxiety, trauma and developmental trauma, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, self-criticism, and patterns that feel repetitive or limiting. Many people seek therapy in Vancouver when they want to better understand how past experiences continue to influence their current wellbeing.
What is somatic therapy, and how is it used in counselling?
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body. Stress, trauma, and emotional experiences often show up physically through tension, numbness, restlessness, or shutdown. By developing awareness of bodily sensations and nervous system responses, somatic approaches can help clients regulate stress, process emotions, and build resilience.
How does attachment-based therapy support the counselling process?
Attachment-based therapy explores how early relationships influence patterns of trust, safety, and connection in adulthood. Within the therapeutic relationship, clients can notice these patterns as they appear and develop new experiences of safety, emotional regulation, and relational connection.
Do I need to talk about traumatic experiences in detail?
No. Trauma-informed therapy does not require detailed retelling of traumatic events unless it feels safe and meaningful to the client. Counselling focuses on present-moment experience, emotional responses, and bodily awareness, allowing insight and healing to emerge at a pace that feels supportive and respectful.
Is this approach helpful for anxiety and chronic stress?
Yes. Anxiety and chronic stress are often linked to long-standing patterns in the nervous system that developed as ways to cope with difficult experiences. Integrative counselling that includes somatic and attachment-based approaches can help clients better understand these responses and develop healthier ways to regulate stress.
Is therapy helpful for men who struggle to talk about emotions?
Many men find this approach helpful because it does not rely solely on verbal analysis. By exploring emotions through curiosity, body awareness, and relational patterns, therapy can offer a grounded and accessible way to understand stress, anger, withdrawal, or emotional disconnection.
Is Compassionate Inquiry® evidence-informed?
Compassionate Inquiry® is informed by trauma research, neuroscience, attachment theory, and mind-body understanding. When integrated with established counselling frameworks such as person-centred and attachment-based therapy, it aligns with contemporary trauma-informed counselling practices used by many therapists.
Do you offer therapy in Vancouver and online in British Columbia?
Yes. Connor Burns Psychotherapy offers counselling services in Vancouver, BC, as well as online therapy for individuals across British Columbia. This allows clients throughout the province to access trauma-informed, integrative counselling from the comfort of their own space.
