About Vancouver Counsellor Barbara Mulski

Vancouver counsellor Barbara Mulski specializes in counselling individuals and couples. She brings 58 years' life experience in conjunction with her theoretical knowledge and skills, which give her unique insights when it comes to problem solving with her clients.

"At the very centre of my Vancouver counselling services are five principles: respect, enthusiastic encouragement, welcoming, light and wonderment.

I am continually energized by my work and I never lose sight of the idea that it is a sacred honour to be a part of my client's struggles and "ah-ha's" in the counselling process."

As well, Vancouver counsellor Barbara Mulski is committed to her own ongoing personal journey of potential.

"I became a therapist through many years of a strong interest in how relationships work and function. In 1998, I earned a B.A. in Psychology from Simon Fraser University. In 2002, I received a Masters degree from City University in Clinical Counselling. In the 26 years prior to going to university, I worked in the business world during which time I worked and honed my people skills in middle management and customer service positions.

I wasn't always a counsellor. When I graduated from high school in 1966 I chose to go to Commercial Secretarial School, where I earned a certificate to work in the business world. For 26 years I worked in middle management and customer service positions. As successful as I was, I felt there was something missing - I was not fulfilled.

I decided it was time to find out what my life's work was to be. I always had an insatiable curiosity and a quick mind and always wondering about what made people act the way they did, individually and as a society. To do so, I volunteered at the Vancouver Crisis Center for several years.

Albeit a late bloomer, I realized that counselling was the logical career path, and at the age of 43, began University. These years were exciting, grueling, inspiring and exhausting. I emerged with a sense of purpose as important as the letters after my name. Barbara Mulski, B.A., M.A., R.C.C."

When she's not busy counselling individuals and couples throughout Greater Vancouver, Barbara can be found living a quiet, well-connected and interactive life with her family and close friends. Or Vancouver counsellor Barbara Mulski just might be hanging out with her beloved Beagle, Gulliver.

Treatment Philosophy

For those times when you are experiencing life's challenges, sometimes what is needed is an outside perspective to help relieve emotional confusion and pain--this is the basic goal of counselling.

While generally considered to be eclectic (borrowing from several different theories), my theoretical approach to counselling, therapy and coaching, leans more towards cognitive therapy, specifically Rational-emotive behavior therapy and psychodynamic.

(REBT) is a popular variation of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed in 1955 by psychologist Albert Ellis. REBT is based on the belief that a person's past experiences shape their belief system and thinking patterns. People form illogical, irrational thinking patterns that become the cause of both their negative emotions and of further irrational ideas.

REBT focuses on helping patients discover these irrational beliefs that guide their behavior and replace them with rational beliefs and thoughts in order to relieve their emotional distress.

A psychodynamic approach - which means I believe that our early learned behaviours, experiences and feelings from childhood onwards have a critical effect on our lives and relationships in the present time. Some of these continue to work well for us. Others we would do well to discard - especially the ones that seem to get in the way of our ability to have satisfying relationships.

Education & Professional Registrations

• Baccalaureate degree (BA) from Simon Fraser University
• Masters degree (MA) in Counselling Psychology from City University
• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors
• I am also an experienced group lecturer/facilitator
• I regularly update my skills by participating in professional development meetings/workshops and programs

Serving couples and individuals in need of communication counselling throughout Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver!