About Katharine Hansen
Through challenges, I learned to heal and never lose HOPE
My personal healing journey began at a very young age and has continued throughout my whole life. I have experienced how life changing it can be to have the support of a counsellor during difficult times, and how that unconditional support can help you hold on to hope even when you think it is lost.
Growing up, I was a caretaker for my mother. She struggled with her mental health, and that created considerable challenges for me as a child. Unfortunately, when I was in high school, I ended up becoming very depressed and had my own challenges with mental health. The challenges I faced continued, and for many years I felt lost and confused about where my life was going; the hopes and dreams that I had began to feel impossible to achieve. During that difficult part of my life, I never gave up hope, and I continued to reach out for help. It was at that time that I found Clearmind International and started their 3-year training program to become a counsellor. This program was life changing for me, and the direction of my life changed forever.
When I graduated from the program, I decided not to pursue counselling at that time and instead decided to focus my energy on starting a family with my husband. Just at a time when I thought things were finally getting better, I was faced with another challenge that felt unbearable. My husband and I spent many years struggling with infertility, pregnancy loss, and fertility treatments. In the end my husband and I were unable to have children, and I spent a long time grieving that loss. The deep personal work that I did coming to terms with never having children took things to a much deeper level for me. I had to accept the unacceptable and learn to live again for the second time in my life. Through the continued work I did, I experienced a deeper understanding of myself, my belief patterns, and how I felt about the world. I was able to heal in ways that I did not think were possible, and this made me even more passionate about becoming a counsellor.
It was at that time that I decided to pursue my dream that had started so young for me – the dream of becoming a counsellor. It took some more time, but with determination, perseverance, and resilience I was able to hope again and I was able to open myself up to the possibilities that I still had. I successfully obtained my designation as a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada.
I was able to open myself up to new possibilities and to beginning again
After all the challenges I have faced and overcome, I want to share what I have learned with others. I am passionate about helping people remember that even during challenging life circumstances and deep loss, hope can help us learn to accept what feels impossible; to accept and to also embrace radical acceptance of what is. Hope always lives on and it can help guide us to new options and beginnings. Learning to embrace hope has not ensured me a perfect life. It has, however, helped me to navigate loss and change in a way that allows me to stay open and embrace each chapter of my life, regardless of the circumstances.
On this sacred path of Radical Acceptance, rather than striving for perfection, we discover how to love ourselves into wholeness.”
– Tara Brach
Are you ready to accept your gifts?
Now is the best time to take that step towards your healing – find out more about what I help people with every day. Getting the support that you need is your way of investing in your health, and remember, I am here to answer any questions you have.