Image of Siovone Bourgeous

Siovone
Bourgeois
Counselling

Journeying With You

Helping Individuals, Couples, and Families using evidence-based approaches that are shown to make a long-term difference in people’s lives.

I’m here to help you thrive

My name is Siovone Bourgeois, and I'm a Registered Social Worker based in Ottawa, Ontario.

With more than 14 years of counselling experience, I've worked with youth, families, individuals, and couples dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, grief, addiction, and life transitions.

I look forward to assisting you and helping you to gain insight, clarity and provide the tools to help you move forward on.

In my down time, I enjoy spinning, weightlifting, volunteering at the Parkdale Food Centre, knitting, fashion and cuddling with my Golden Retriever Samwise and two Sphynx cats, Elliot and Elouise.

Want to know more about me? Then click here.

Image of Siovone Bourgeois' office with grey couch and chair

Customized Counselling Services

I bring a kind, competent, and compassionate approach to my work with individuals, families, and couples. I specialize in helping clients navigate a variety of challenges, including (but not limited to):

Life transitions | Grief | Mental illness | Addiction | Career changes

I am verified by Psychology Today, and I offer my services in English, French, or Spanish.

Get started now by reaching out to me to arrange a complimentary 15-minute session. This initial meeting will help us determine if my services align with your needs and, if so, to schedule your first session.

  • This is where we build a thorough case history while also setting you up to establish goals early on in therapy.

    There’s no one best way to start the process, but I like to use an eclectic approach drawing from Cognitive Behavioural, Narrative, Dialectical Behaviour, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches.

  • I support couples of all ages and backgrounds in addressing challenges such as:

    • Communication Struggles

    • Infidelity

    • Addiction

    • Lack of Connection

    My approach integrates the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), both evidence-based approaches grounded in extensive research.

    With advanced training in both methods, I provide:

    • Comprehensive Assessments to identify unhealthy cycles, core issues, and strengths within the relationship.

    • In-Session Strategies to provide you with practical tools to help heal and reconnect between sessions.

    • A Present-Focused Approach to emphasize healing and resolving current issues without getting stuck in the past.

    You can learn more about these approaches here:

  • With specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Addiction treatment, I will engage with your family with skill, empathy, and respect, tailoring solutions to meet your unique needs.

    My experience includes:

    • Mental Health in Youth and Children
      Over a decade of experience at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.

      Expertise in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed care.

    • Grief and Loss
      Supporting families and couples navigating the loss of a loved one.

    • Communication Challenges
      Helping families build stronger, healthier ways to connect and resolve conflicts.

    • Active Addiction Issues
      Providing guidance grounded in my background in addiction treatment.

  • I support individuals at all stages of recovery from:
    Substance Use
    Gambling
    Pornography Addiction

    My approach is rooted in:

    Harm Reduction: Meeting clients where they are in their recovery journey.

    Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing addiction as a coping strategy for underlying trauma, pain, or suffering.

    No Shame, No Blame Philosophy: Providing compassionate support without judgment.


    Qualifications and Experience

    Near completion of a graduate certificate in addiction studies from Mount Royal University.

    Lived experience with addiction, offering a unique and empathetic perspective on its impact on individuals and families.

  • I provide compassionate support to individuals healing from various forms of trauma, including:

    • Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Trauma

    • Military Moral Injury

    My approach is eclectic, gentle, and authentic, combining:

    • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A proven method for processing and resolving traumatic memories.

    • EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy): Focused on building emotional resilience and healing.

    • Somatic Approaches: Including polyvagal theory to address the mind-body connection in trauma recovery.

    I currently specialize in:

    • Supporting military veterans through the PCVRS rehabilitation program (billing directly to Blue Cross).

    • Assisting women of all ages struggling with childhood or past sexual trauma.

  • Individual sessions:
    → $190 in-person
    → $160 virtual

    Couples/Family sessions:
    → $205 in-person
    → $190 virtual

    Receipts for benefits and insurance plans.

    Sliding scale for virtual sessions are available in very special circumstances, which we could discuss during an initial consultation.

    Re-schedules and cancellations can be accommodated up to 24 hours in advance. Missed appointments are charged at regular rates.

  • Professional Associations:

    → Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, RSW.

    → Registered with the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

    Specialized Training

    → Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    → Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

    → Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    → Emotionally-Focused Therapy

    → Solution Based Therapy

    → Narrative Therapy

    → Trauma Focussed Therapy

    → Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention

    → "Live Well" Wellness Global Coach Training

    → Graduate Certificate in Addiction Treatment (In Progress)

    University Degrees

    → Masters of Social Work, Carleton University, 2008

    → MEd, Masters of Second Language Education, University of Ottawa, 2002

    Other Credentials

    → EMDR certified

    → Gottman Couple Therapy Advanced training

    → Blue Cross Provider

    → Introduction to Somatic Therapy

I offer virtual and in-person sessions for individuals, couples, and families. I work with adolescents and young adults (10 years and above), adults and the elderly. I also offer my services in French and Spanish. 

Image of blue chairs in Siovone Bourgeois' office

FAQs

  • I am a Master level social worker and former teacher who has over 15 years experience (11 years as a Mental Health social worker on a inpatient unit Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre; (4 years as a Case Manager, and virtual/phone counsellor at a global Employee Assistance Program) and one year in private practice. I take regular training. Please see the services section for more details on my specialized training.

  • I meet clients in a private room or office for our virtual sessions and all case notes are kept on a password protected website and computer. I also shred all paper notes that I may write during sessions. I am bound by law to keep our sessions confidential except when there exists serious harm to self or others and/or any case of suspected abuse or neglect involving children and vulnerable adults.

  • Individual sessions:
    → $190 in-person
    → $160 virtual

    Couples/Family sessions:
    → $205 in-person
    → $190 virtual

    Receipts are issued for benefits and insurance plans.

    Sliding scale for virtual sessions are available in very special circumstances, which we could discuss during an initial consultation.

  • I’m generally available from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday (with some later sessions available Mon - Thurs)

  • I am located at 133 Holland Avenue in Ottawa.

  • I see people virtually and in person in Ottawa (Westboro, Wellington West, Kanata and Orleans, Ontario.)

Considering Therapy?

You many not know whether or not you need therapy. People seek out therapy for mental or life problems for various reasons, including:

1. Emotional distress:
People seek therapy when they are experiencing intense and overwhelming emotions, such as anxiety, depression, anger, grief, or trauma.

2. Relationship problems:
People may seek therapy when they are experiencing difficulties in their relationships, including conflicts with partners, family members, or friends.

3. Life transitions:
Major life changes, such as getting married, having a baby, starting a new job, or moving to a new city, can be stressful and challenging, and people may seek therapy to help them navigate these transitions.

4. Personal growth:
Some people seek therapy as a way to learn more about themselves, to gain insight into their behavior and motivations, and to develop skills to help them achieve their goals.

5. Behavioral or mental health problems:
Therapy can be an effective treatment for a range of behavioral and mental health problems, such as addiction, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

6. Coping with physical health problems:
People may seek therapy to help them cope with the emotional and psychological impact of chronic illnesses or other physical health problems.

Ultimately, people seek therapy to improve their quality of life and find relief from emotional pain or distress. Therapy can help people develop coping skills, improve their relationships, and achieve their goals.

Reach out to me

SIOVONE BOURGEOIS COUNSELLING

Phone:
343-321-0281

Email:
journeyingwithyoucounselling@gmail.com

Address:
133 Holland Avenue, Ottawa

 

My Story

I believe that my life's journey, education, and work experience can help deliver an authentic and supportive presence to those I work with.

My background

  • Growing up in Thunder Bay, and later moving to Ottawa, I've faced significant challenges in my life, including losing both of my parents to early deaths and dealing with my own mental health struggles.

  • I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and trauma-focused therapy.

  • Since a young age, I've had a strong desire to help others as they navigate their lives, which is why I wanted to be a Teacher. Initially an English language teacher, I realized my true calling as many students would confide in me there problems and dreams.

  • After my Masters of Social Work degree, I I worked for eleven years as an inpatient social worker at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre where I worked with youth aged 12 to 18 and their families as they struggled with depression, anxiety, psychosis, and addiction.

My work experience

  • Over the past 3 and half years, I have worked full-time as an Employee Assistance Program Crisis Counsellor, case manager and presenter.

  • I have gained invaluable experience in working with grief, addiction, life challenges, mental health issues and relationship challenges.

  • I have worked with individuals and couples by phone and video and in French and Spanish (my two other languages).