Andrew Larcombe

Choosing a Therapist

Andrew Larcombe M.A.

Take a
"Right Brain" Break

Andrew Larcombe R.P.N, B.A. (Hon) M. A.

I've been working as a mental health counsellor for five years. I'm a Vancouver Coastal Health employee working at a primary healthcare centre in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. I provide counselling for people who have histories of psychological trauma.

I bring a great deal of enthusiasm to the work that I do--enthusiasm that is kept alive by the remarkable changes that I've witnessed my clients making in their lives.

I have worked as a psychiatric nurse for many years. I have a master's degree in sociology and I have trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including self-regulation therapy and narrative therapy. I am passionate about providing high quality counselling services in the public healthcare sector.

I was born in Bristol, England over half a century ago. I've lived in Canada for the last twenty seven years. I have lived with my wife in Vancouver all of that time. I have two children: my daughter is twenty four and my son twenty three.

These are the things I can't do:

Walk past a Globe and Mail on Saturday without reading the Focus section; bake cakes; convince others that I can sing in tune; make small talk for more than five minutes; read novels that are anything other than deep and meaningful (same for viewing movies); turn down a discussion on politics or society.

These are the things that I can do:

Enjoy the gifts of nature and the universe; make curry; grow hollyhocks; ride a bicycle speedily and safely through the city; get lost in the embrace of conversations; read Virginia Wolf and become spellbound; nap in the middle of the day.

Favourite song: Weeping Song by Nick Cave.
Favourite Artist: Vermeer.
Favourite flower: Hollyhock,
Second favourite flower: Daffodil,
Favourite people: too many to mention.

My favourite poems of love and contemplation:

Secrets of the Universe.

You're waiting for a bus at Ward and Baker
and a woman comes up to you
and asks for a dance

You tell her you don't want to dance
For there is too much snow
and not enough music
and she says you didn't mind
dancing with me last night.

And when you tell her she's mistaken
You didn't dance with her or anyone last night
She says oh yes you did
And when you ask where
she says up there
on the roof
and she points to the roof of Hipperson Hardware.

In fact, she says, as her voice drops
And a shy look comes into her eyes
I've even danced with you on other planets
Venus and Mars for example
And then she walks away

Leaving you to wonder about the part of your life
that is secret even to you.

David McFadden.

The Guest House.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing.
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~Rumi~

Education and Training

Narrative Ideas and Therapeutic Practice Training and Supervision Certificate.

Yaletown Family Therapy, February 2007.

Self-Regulation Therapy Practitioner Training, Advanced level, Canadian Foundation for Trauma Research and Education, May 2006.

Self-Regulation Therapy Practitioner Training, Foundation Level, Canadian Foundation for Trauma Research and Education, August 2004.

Leadership Certificate program. Vancouver Community College, October 2004.

M. A. Sociology - University of British Columbia 2000.

R.T.C. (Reality Therapy Certified) - Institute for Reality Therapy C.A. 1992.

B. A. Sociology - University of British Columbia 1990.

R. P. N. (Registered Psychiatric Nurse) 1984.

Continuing Education.

Introduction to working with Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender and Two Spirit Clients. PRISM Addiction Services one day workshop: Vancouver Coastal Health Addictions Services: Vancouver BC. March 7th 2007.

Core Training Matrix Model of Outpatient Treatment. Presenter: Sam Minsky, Vancouver Coastal Health Addictions Services: Vancouver, BC January 17th 2007.

Restorative Practice after Domestic Abuse: Ethics, Justice and Accountability. Presenter: Alan Jenkins: Vancouver BC. October 20th, 21st 2006.

Complicated Grief, Identifying and Treating Complicated Grief in Persons with Concurrent Disorders. Presenter: Dr Alan Zuckoff, Dave Berman Conference: Vancouver, BC May 2006.

Dialectical Behaviour Workshop. Presenter: Dr Shelley McMain. Vancouver Coastal Health Concurrent Disorders Education Series: Vancouver BC. March 29th and 30th 2006.

New Frontiers in Trauma Treatment. Presenters: Dr John Briere; Dr Bessel van der Kolk MD. Jack Hirose and Associates Inc: Richmond, BC. December 5,6 and 7th 2005.

Western Canadian Conference on Addictions and Mental Health. Jack Hirose and Associates Inc: Richmond, BC. November 17-19th 2005.

Complex PTSD and Dissociation: A treatment Overview and Update. Dr. Christine Courtois: Vancouver, BC. February 28th, 2005.

Narrative Therapy Training. Presenter: Michael White, Jack Hirose and Associates Inc.: Vancouver, BC. March 31st and April 1st, 2003.

Cognitive Therapy Unplugged: Fine Tuning Essential Therapist Skills. Presenter: Dr. Christine Padesky. Cognitive Workshops: Vancouver, BC. March 25th 26th 2002.

Dave Berman Conference, Vancouver Coastal Health: Vancouver, BC. October 18th 2001.

Educational Presentations

Personality Disorders and Developmental Trauma. City University, Vancouver, BC. June 3rd 2006.

Personality Disorders from a developmental perspective. Strathcona Mental Health Team Mental Health Week: Vancouver, BC. May 9th 2006.

Two Hour filmed interview on co-occurring disorders. Nursing Production Video, "Bevel Up," BCCDC Street Nurse Program: Vancouver, BC. February 15th 2006.

Neurodynamics of Personality. Strathcona Mental Health Team, Mental Health Week: Vancouver, BC. May 25th 2006.

Community work in the Down Town Eastside. Therapeutic Conversations Conference, Vancouver, BC. May 6th 2005.