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Nora Polisena

Nora Polisena, MEd

Registered Clinical Counselor

Registered Career & Guidance Counselor

(she/her/elle)

AVAILABLE FOR VIRTUAL COUNSELING IN QUÉBEC, ONTARIO & MOST OF CANADA

(except for Alberta and the Maritimes).

Whether you’re looking for supportive therapy, suffering from anxiety, depressive symptoms or grief, feeling unhappy in your home or work environment, needing to find some balance in your life, or wanting to feel in control instead of overwhelmed by life’s challenges, I offer active listening, support, and tools to help you regain your motivation and develop a new perspective to continue your journey. 

As a therapist, I offer support to adults and teens (age 15 and older) in managing their emotions and mental health needs, developing coping strategies, and mobilizing their resources. This begins with attentive and empathetic listening, as I guide you in identifying your strengths along with your difficulties. I will work to help you better understand your thoughts, feelings and challenges, and overcome the indecision, procrastination and avoidance that are keeping you stuck. Together, and to the degree that you feel ready, I will support you in making small adjustments in the here-and-now that will make a big difference in your daily life. Ultimately, my goal is for you to feel seen, understood, valued and capable.

As a vocational counselor and career development specialist, I apply this therapeutic approach in a specialized and hands-on manner to career and employment issues. This can include career choice, educational or vocational decisions and planning, job search skills and supports. I have expertise in burnout prevention and recovery, workplace or school adaptation and rehabilitation for physical, mental, or intellectual limitations, and strategies for dealing with difficult relationships in the workplace. Regardless of your current situation, I will support the development of skills and strategies for managing your career and leveraging your knowledge, experience and personal assets to meet your vocational and life goals.

Client Focus

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Adults

Teens age 15+

Approaches

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Positive Psychology

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Motivational Interviewing

Brief, Solutions-Focused Therapy

Concerns

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Anxiety

Stress Management

Depression

Burnout

Self-Esteem

Work-Life Balance

Career-Related Challenges

Career-Related Grief

Career Exploration, Decision Making and Planning

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Support for Physical, Mental, and Intellectual Limitations and Disabilities

Supportive Therapy for Spouses of Injured Workers

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Values

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Authenticity

Open-Mindedness

Empathic Listening

Professionalism

Respect

Perseverance

Mutual Aid

Optimism

Adaptability

Learning

LGBTQ-Allied

Neurodiversity-affirming

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More Than Just My Work

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“Stars can't shine without darkness.” - Ester Dean 

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I am passionate about decoration and I am an animal lover. Both of my dogs come from a rescue shelter. I dream about having an animal sanctuary with a coffee shop to give an opportunity to people with disabilities to acquire work experience. You could meet me at a Zumba class or hiking. 

Qualifications

  • More than 10 years of professional experience as a counselor in the mental health, education and vocational sectors

  • Masters in Counseling (MEd) from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

  • Mental Health Intervention Diploma (AEC), Cégep de Victoriaville

  • Registered Clinical Counselor with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor & Career Counselor with the Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation du Québec (OCCOQ)

  • Member of the Canadian Vocational Association (CVA)

  • Prior roles in Management and Human Resources in the pharmaceutical & textile industries and community organizations

  • Services in English or French

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