Nicole Settle (Durlinger), M.C., C.C.C. (pronouns: she/her)

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The profound sense of knowing "this feels so right" or "this is exactly where I am meant to be" is a difficult one to describe. Anyone who has experienced a powerful love or an intense commitment to something greater than oneself knows this. This knowledge can also come from connecting to that part within and improve not only our relationship to ourselves, but others as well.  "This feels so right" is exactly how I describe my relationship to the Yukon and my vocation. This was not the path I had originally embarked on, starting out in a Business Administration Program with the notion of getting into human resources on the Lower Mainland of B.C.. Many years of struggle, searching and dedication later, I realized that helping people reach their potential and finding a fulfilled life is what fuels my spirit. I switched to Psychology, packed up my life to move to Whitehorse and never looked back.    I hold a BA in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Master in Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. Grounded in existential philosophy and a holistic focus on wellness, my main intention is to provide you with a non-judgmental, consistent, strength-based approach.

In my spare time, I enjoy my family, friends and hobbies. This means sharing time with 2- and 4-legged loved ones doing any of the following: biking, camping, cooking, skiing, reading, renovating, creating and enjoying music, travel and exploring. I consider myself a global citizen. I am committed to a simpler way of life, continued personal and professional growth and being aware of my impact on the world around me. I love deeply, am insatiably curious and find joy in the little things...like autocorrect fails.

We can draw on interventions from:  

• Cognitive Behaviour therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Attachment theory and Emotion-Focused Therapy 
• Psychodynamics
• Narrative Therapy  
• Creative, Relational and Somatic interventions  

These inform my approach to supporting you to enhance your intimate relationships. We focus on your friendship, ability to love and connect, as well as manage conflict with mutual respect and communication skills:

• Gottman Couples Counselling
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (Attachment-based)

For family counselling, my approach focuses on supporting your needs for emotional safety, attunement and mutual understanding, including how the roles you each fulfill in your family system affects each of you. We seek to promote open sharing, caring, trust and respect.

I believe in personal choice, empowerment and intuition. Each person has their own story. I will give you a good listening to and if there is a strategy in my toolbox that you might find useful and want to learn, you shall have it. I can offer services in English and German. My French used to be much more proficient as a younger woman; nevertheless, it has been useful at times to be able to grasp notions that are unique to the French language.

For a little trivia: In 2017, I spent some time learning about meditation and energy healing with medicine horses (they have enlarged hearts). Experiencing the force of the work they do showed me how important one's own energy becomes in relation to other beings.

· I/we feel so consumed by guilt, shame,   anger or fear

· How does the past impact the present and what can I/we do about it? 

· So.Much.Worry. 

· All the "what if" questions

· The world is a scary and unpredictable place that I/we do not feel prepared to handle

· I believe (or have been told) that I am emotionally unavailable or immature

· What needs acceptance or change?

· What do I love about myself/us?

· How do I define myself/us?

· We are fighting all the time; we feel more like roommates instead of lovers

· How can I become more connected to my partner/spouse/love?

· What do I want in my relationships? 

· What do I contribute to a given situation or relationship? 

· I feel so misunderstood

· How can I get through this terrible loss?

· I feel so hurt

· I hurt myself

· My brain works in, what are to me, mysterious ways

· I do not feel in control of ________ 

· I/we want to be happier

· I let people take advantage of me. What boundaries do I want to set? 

· What do I value?

· What is my purpose?

· How do I want to show up in the world? 

· Things are changing so drastically, I/we do not know how to cope

· I suffered a brain injury

· I do not do things like most people 

· I am different or we are different

· I/we want to take better care of myself/us

· I have these urges that I need to manage differently

· How am I being influenced by others/society/culture? 

· Can I be more influential?

· How can I/we decide if marriage and/or children are right for me/us?