Authentic Health Group Therapy Program 

• • Do you want to stop hating your body and get off the diet and fitness hamster wheel?
  • Are you curious about making healthy lifestyle changes but find available nutrition + fitness info triggering, overwhelming, or both?
  • Do you feel frustrated and confused by all the conflicting information, unsure what is “right?”
  • Do you feel anxious going to a fitness or movement class or entering a traditional fitness space?
  • Does your anxiety prevent you from enjoying the experience or prevent you from going at all?
  • Does the idea of taking any steps toward “health” feel insurmountable?
  • Do you sometimes feel inspired or compelled to take action with your health habits, but quickly get stopped in your tracks
  • Do you feel like you’ve “tried everything” and don’t know what to do?

If ANY of this rang true, please hear this…you are not alone!

The majority of folks I talk to struggle to maintain healthy lifestyle habits related to physical activity, rest, and nutrition. And it’s not a lack of “motivation” or “determination.” Very often, it’s the approach taken (hello all-or-nothing traditional health/wellness programming). And in many cases, it’s diet and exercise trauma (yes, it’s a thing!).

During my 25-year career as a Personal Trainer and Health Coach I came to realize just how unhelpful the traditional health + fitness  “program” approach was. And I took steps to help folks find their own path forward through that. But what I also realized was just how prevalent trauma from the diet and fitness industry is. And how pivotal healing from this trauma in safe, inclusive spaces was to helping folks find their path to Authentic Health, on their terms.

This was one of the major reasons I chose to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and why I’m so excited to be offering this unique small Group Counselling Program.

About the program:

This 16-week group counselling program will be focused on identifying personalized health goals and implementing sustainable health habits (that work with your real life!) through a trauma-informed lens. Together we’ll unpack what has caused harm in the more traditional health + fitness approach, and find a path of healing that supports your individual success (on your terms).

Group intentions:

• • Improve your confidence in your approach to health 
  • Connect with other women who share your experience
  • Heal from past diet and exercise trauma 
  • Discover an approach to nutrition, movement, and rest that is right for YOU
  • Learn how to set and achieve sustainable health goals

This group is suitable for adults who:

• • Struggle with traditional health + fitness programs
  • Have anxiety related to taking steps towards developing lifestyle-related habits
  • Experience difficulties with relationship to food such as restriction, binge eating, or emotional eating*
  • Identify as a women or non-binary folks who identify with the struggles associated with being mis-gendered as a woman

*note: if you have been diagnosed with an eating disorder or suspect you may have an eating disorder, please connect with me to determine if this group would be appropriate for you supportive to your recovery. You can book a discovery call or email me at gillian@superyou.ca

Dates & Details

When: January 29 – May 21, 2025 (in person sessions on: Jan 29, Feb 19, Mar 12, Apr 2, Apr 23, May 14, May 21 from 7-9pm)  

Where: 2 – 6421 Applecross Road, Nanaimo

Registration Fee: $525 (GST exempt)

*I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #22774) and receipts will be provided for extended benefits coverage. All extended plans differ, so please confirm with your plan regarding coverage if this is important to you.

Program includes:

• • 7 in-person group counselling sessions (2h each)
  • Lifetime access to the digital learning course content for personal exploration of content between sessions
  • Virtual community discussion space for ongoing connection between sessions
  • Weekly check-ins via What’s App, text, or email (based on personal preference)

How does this work?

This Group Counselling Program is an integration of my 12-module Mindset e-learning course AND 7 in-person group counselling sessions. During the first in-person session we’ll lay the vital foundation of connection and safety, and break down the path for the upcoming 16 weeks of exploration. Between the group sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the online content (a mix of video, audio, PDF, and text). Every 3-weeks we’ll meet for another in-person session where we’ll unpack and deepen our inquiry regarding themes from the online content.

Note: whether you had time to explore none, some, or all of the online content the in-person sessions will be valuable. They will be structured such that you’ll be able to grasp the “big picture” ideas explored and gain tremendous value from the dialogue and discussion that ensues.

During group sessions we will also have opportunities to explore what comes up around each of the themes and process these themes as a group. Between sessions there will be individual weekly check-ins via What’s App, text, or email (based on personal preference) as well as an online/ group channel for ongoing discussion (method to be determined by group).

This is a small group format (minimum 4, maximum 6).

Meet your Group Facilitator:

Hi! I’m Gillian. I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), body-positive health coach, and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor. I hold a Masters in Counselling Psychology, and a BSc in Kinesiology (along with registration as a yoga/ fitness instructor and personal trainer). I’m also a woman who has navigated her own path of recovery from Eating Disorder and challenges with her body image. Philosophically, I align with a Health at Every Size® (HAES®) approach, which means I believe in weight inclusivity and neutrality, health enhancement disentangled from weight, respectful care for all bodies, eating for well-being, and the promotion of life-enhancing movement. Most importantly I believe that you deserve to feel at home and empowered in your body (you have bodily autonomy!). It would be my honour to help you discover your path to body peace.