Andrew Bohonis
MA, RP (Qualifying)
Honoured by the opportunity to know another, with humility as an orienting principle.
Andrew completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. He grew up around Thunder Bay, staying long enough to become an engineer before stepping out. An explorer at heart, Andrew has done a few laps around the globe and landed in India and Tajikistan while working with Médecins Sans Frontières. Since returning home he has given much attention to martial arts and the inner journey which accompanies that training. Andrew can often be found trudging through snow, scrambling rocks, or scanning reddit for an interesting talk. His life is an eclectic mix, as is his approach to counselling. He is honoured by the opportunity to know another, and holds humility as an orienting principle.
How do you think therapy can help people?
I think it is rare to have a relationship of the quality that I see in the counselling relationship. In that sense I think therapy can supplement a lack of needed social support. I see it as another mind and set of senses oriented in partnership to work through whatever is obstructing us. Bringing attention to what we’re unaware of is a big part of that. It is also a rare person who is willing to work through research to understand effective ways to address their problems, and who is also motivated and capable to implement these things without support. So therapy can help there. When a person is at odds with the prevailing winds of their culture or close relationships, I think therapy can be a sheltered bay and validating reprieve. It is also a place to do the work to help withstand the storms again, and learn to tack into the wind. Patch the sails, train the crew, rebuild the rudder, map the route.