Peer Facilitators
JAY BROTHERTON
Psychotherapist & Yoga Instructor, 43
Working with children, youth, adults, elders, couples, parents and families in the fields of mental health, education and recreation since 1995, I'm honoured to continue journeying alongside others on their paths back to wholeness and wellness, because we all can feel stuck or out of balance from time to time. When we are suffering or want to work towards change in our lives, it takes courage to share what’s on our minds and in our hearts – this can lead to acknowledgement, relief, healing, inspiration, motivation, development, accomplishment, social cohesion and, ultimately, transformation. In my role as a counsellor, yoga teacher and peer facilitator, I feel quite privileged to offer others the time and space necessary to learn how to ease into productive, more harmonious and healthier ways of living, loving, connecting and being.
The more and more I warm up to my own ongoing story - and ALL of my story, the good, bad and ugly of it - the more I am caressed, purified and made whole by its teachings. This does require sitting in some dark places, however, which is no easy task for any of us, certainly. Besides reaching out to friends and family, I've found that this ‘sitting with my stuff’ has been made easier in weekend gatherings of intentional community with strangers. Just knowing that I have others’ acknowledgement and acceptance – of me, my struggle and wherever I am with it – is often enough.
And so I am deeply honoured to hold space for men to truly be with all of where they are at, which is exactly where they need to be. I’m honoured to co-create a supportive and inclusive space with other men where we honour each other’s stories and gifts and feel celebrated and extraordinary in each other’s presence. We don’t have to go it alone, as we are often taught as men – we can partake in the strength of the collective to help overcome the hurdles of the individual.
I believe in men's inherent goodness and earnestness, recognising that men desire wholeness, feel deeply about their lives and care deeply about others, despite how the world may otherwise view them. So whether it's pursuing work/life balance or bettering relationships, I appreciate the importance for men who want to integrate all aspects of who they are as well as explore the potential for stronger, more intentional bonds - not just with their colleagues, partners and children, but with other men.
I especially feel called to work with gay men, recognising the importance of organising safe and inclusive space for them to experience fellowship too - that is, to be fully accepted, honoured and celebrated for who we are and wherever we're at. The more I work with gay men, the more I am humbled by our resilience and am moved to create events where we can share our mutual respect, compassion and awe of one another.
I am a certified individual, couple and family therapist with my own private counselling practise (www.jaybrotherton.com). I see clients out of my home office, through the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and through Health Initiative for Men (HiM) (where I also teach hatha yoga from time to time).
I enjoy swimming, epic walks and hikes, singing, fiber arts, meditation, yoga and traditional forms of mysticism. I live with my dog in Vancouver, British Columbia.