Narrative Therapy has provided the worldview and approach of preference particularly when responding to a wide range of problems in people’s lives, including his own. In addition, he has become increasingly interested in exploring how the body responds to adversity, and how healing happens, not only in how we make meaning in our lives, but also in how we can help our bodies process the effects of these challenges.
Individual Therapy:
Frank is guided by the knowledge that adults are often under the influence of family and social expectations that may or may not be in their best interests. These expectations make it difficult to enter problem-solving conversations. We take the position that clients need to decide which messages fit into their preferred identity. Narrative therapy is useful in this context as there is a deliberate intention to separate the "problem" from the person and collaborate to address the external and internal influences that may worsen or improve things. This allows for personal resources and potential to be recognized and agency to be realized. Often the specific expectations on how to be male or female can get in the way of genuine connections. Narrative Therapy is particularly useful in collaborating with couples to negotiate and engage in active re-storying conversations that give new meaning to their experiences. This can also assist in challenging the ways of life that they find oppressive and encourage alternative and preferred stories of identity.
Frank also has training in CBT and somatic therapies including EMDR, ART and NP which, in combination, can resolve the body sensations associated with strong emotional states. This is very helpful when we feel our emotional reactions are out of proportion to what is in front of us as when we are” triggered”. Often accelerated resolution of Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Panic Attacks, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) Addictions/ Substance Abuse, Performance Anxiety, Family Issues, and Child Abuse can occur
Men’s Emotions and Relationships Groups are offered “on demand” as both 6x2 hour weeknight sessions and 2x6 hour Saturday sessions for 6 to 12 men who want to improve their emotional responses and relationships. Group members are required to focus on their own contributions to the emotional and relationship troubles in their lives. Participants are asked to share the effects of family of origin and society expectations on their role as spouse, father or friend. They will also be supported in discovering or recovering ways of dealing with their emotions that connect them to those they care about rather than dismiss them. Particular skills in emotional regulation, compassion, communication, problem solving and parenting are explored. The groups will also be lead by an experienced co-therapist, Keri Murray Sotropa RPN, RCC.
COST OF GROUP: $50 per hour.
REPLY TO: frankwmcgrath@gmail.com with preference for weeknight or retreat format. Presently all sessions are provided virtually
Frank McGrath Education:
PhD, University of Alberta
B.Sc. M.A University of New Brunswick
Extensive Narrative Therapy Training with Michael White
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Brief and Solution Focused Therapy (BSFT)
Frank McGrath Professional Registrations:
Registration as a Certified Psychologist in Alberta
Doctorate of Philosophy
Continuing Education – EMDR Level II (Gerald Puk, Ph.D.)
Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
Certificate of Membership – PAA
Narrative Training Certificate (with Michael White)
Paradoxes of Relationships: Inviting Intimate Freedom with Couples
The Three Stages of Healing: Counseling Victims of Sexual Trauma (Cross Country Education)