Get to know: LCC therapist Madeline Doig
Madeline is smiling in the photo in a white top. The background is yellow fall leaves. Madeline has medium-length hair.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about going to counselling?
Making the decision to seek out support can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, especially if you have never done it before. I want to acknowledge the bravery it takes to take that first step.
Perhaps it may provide you with some comfort to know that therapy is (or at least through LCC) is a collaborative conversation. Your therapist is not an all-knowing person about your truth and your life - they are there to walk alongside you, to help you learn new skills, and to illuminate the strengths you already have within you. Although it may feel scary to take the leap and be vulnerable, you are more resilient and capable than you know - and you might just find out some really amazing things about yourself.
How did you come to do Care work?
I have always felt drawn toward the helping profession. However, this was solidified when I went through a tragedy and major transition in my family when I was 19. Feeling lost, I sought out support and began seeing a counsellor at my university. She helped change my life, and I felt inspired to provide that kind of hope, kindness, and support for someone else one day.
The timing didn't feel right for a while - but after having the opportunity to travel work in the non-profit sector, and then work for several years in Human Resources, I decided it was finally time to take the leap.
What are / do you like outside of work?
I love to be outside in nature, especially on a sunny day. I love to travel, run, hike, bake, cook, read and snuggle my pup, Lumi.
This year, I am trying to be intentional about taking a cold plunge once a week. This is part of my larger, ongoing goal to work on regulating my nervous system and feeling safe in my body - something I try to incorporate and share with my clients as well!
It turns out that cold exposure (even just splashing your face!), activates the vagus nerve (a nerve that connects our brains to every organ in our bodies and is in charge of shutting down the "fight or flight" response) and can slow down our breathing and heart rate, switching us into our parasympathetic mode, or "rest-and-digest". Either way, I feel incredible afterward!