My story.
My perspective.
I understand how challenging life can be!
My story.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Andrea Seniw and I live in Edmonton with my husband of 32 years. In a way, it feels like my whole life has been in preparation for this call to be a counsellor. My mentor told me once that when God calls, he also equips. He was right! If I am honest, much of the equipping has been painful, but it is that very pain that God has used. In fact, all pain in God’s hands is an opportunity to know him better. C.S. Lewis said that, and I agree.
I provide counselling from my values which are decidedly Christian. I understand life's challenges and how difficult it is to change. I have been there, to those dark, hard places where you wonder what’s wrong and if there’s help for you. There is! Just like there was help for me, there is help for you. I am so glad you are here. This is how help begins.
I counsel women and couples and have a particular interest and focus on integrated health which includes the health of the mind but also the health of the body.
Mental health is indivisible from physical health.
When we learn to move through suffering, rather than avoid it, then we greet it differently. We become willing to let it teach us. We even begin to see how God can use it for some larger end.
Henri Nouwen
My perspective.
I see life through the lens of faith. It is the only worldview possible for believers. I believe that the Bible is true and the Bible tells us that we are holistic creatures, not a spirit with a body, but a spirit, and a body, and a will, and emotions . Perhaps one of the most important scriptures on this topic is Genesis 1:27 which says that we are created in the 'imago Dei', the image of God and God declared all that he had made 'very good'. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
How do we do that? We care for our bodies because they are precious and a gift from God and deeply integrated with our mind and spirit.
Because we are holistic, our mind and emotions effect our physical bodies as well as the other way around. Good science always proves God and as we learn more about the gut-brain axis, we see the mechanism which proves scriptures such as Prov 17:22 which says,
A merry heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
The emerging science of epigenetics shows us how the sins of the father are visited on future generations (Exodus 34:7). Epigenetics has proven that abuse, neglect, and trauma in young lives, alters the gene expression causing not only physical disease, but mental illness as well.
For many, treatment is more effective when it embraces our whole selves, not just our minds. There is room for traditional mental health counselling but the vast majority of people would benefit greatly from an integrated approach that includes physical health.
My passion is to help people realize the freedom God provides and live whole lives of joy and health, as much as that depends on us.
Epigenetics is an exciting field of science that displays the intelligence and providence of God to help organisms adapt and survive in a fallen world.
Dr. Georgia Purdom
My Approach
- I approach counselling from a relational perspective because God created us to be in relationship, first with him, then with others, and finally, with his creation.
- With a few tweaks, attachment theory is completely compatible with a Christian worldview because it does not view individuals in isolation but rather as part of an interconnected group.
- I believe that one of our deepest longings as human beings is to be known and loved, and counselling can be a safe place to begin the journey toward healthy and soul-satisfying relationships.
- I realize that we are all in a different place so I encourage you not to be afraid, to come as you are, and I will meet you on the couch.
- My focus includes a recognition of the deep connection between our mind and body with a focus on holistic health.
For those who are interested, here are my qualifications.
Credentials
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Master of Arts in Counselling with Honours from Providence Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts in Counselling and Ministry from Alberta Bible College
Additional training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level One Training
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship
Circle of Security Facilitator Training
Special Interests
Counselling Couples
Counselling Women
Part of the referral network for
Focus on the Family