Molly De Shong, M.Ed.

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Molly De Shong is a counsellor-therapist and facilitator in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Molly has worked with individuals, couples, and groups for more than 30 years, focusing on mindfulness, resilience, self-care, and communication/conflict dynamics.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Molly integrates mindfulness with somatic, cognitive behavioural, and psychodynamic methods — all to support insight, skill-building, and resilience. Specialty areas:

  • anxiety, stress management, self-care
  • low mood and depression
  • grief, loss, transition
  • identity, self-esteem, assertiveness
  • addictive patterns
  • career planning
  • relationships, sexuality, and couple counselling
  • communication and conflict dynamics

Couple Counselling

Bring awareness to what matters to you both—whether that’s to strengthen your emotional connection and change patterns, or deciding to separate. 

Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Mindfulness helps us become aware of body-mind habits and stressors, and tap our innate strength and resilience. Molly trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with founder Jon Kabat-Zinn as well as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC).  Molly offers multi-week and introductory programs for the public and organizations.

Consulting, Facilitation, Training, Mediation

For 30 years, Molly De Shong has assisted individuals and organizations with:

  • personal coaching /counselling in self-awareness, wellness, leadership, career development, and communication /conflict dynamics (including conflict mediation)
  • consulting and training in team cohesion and communication

Molly offers programs in self-care and resilience, as well as communication/conflict dynamics (“Navigating Difficult Conversations”). She supported the Conflict Resolution program at NS Health, offering conflict coaching and mediation to staff.

Panel 1

Upcoming Courses and Programs

Mindfulness and Resilience

6-session program drawing from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and other disciplines

Explore these evidence-based practices that have helped thousands feel more healthy and resourceful in the face of life’s mental and physical challenges.

In a relaxed group atmosphere, we will:
• Learn mindfulness and psychological skills that counter unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns related to anxiety, stress, low mood, addiction
• Build capacity to care for ourselves in all difficult moments, including chronic pain
• Strengthen our relationships and communication skills.

Starts January, 2023  (six Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:00 in person or via Zoom platform. To be decided by group.)  

Cost: $120 includes 6 sessions. Discounts and special arrangements available, please inquire.

Find out more or register with Molly De Shong at 902-802-6543 or email mds [at] eastlink.ca

Introduction to Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Explore how these principles and practices support self-awareness and self-care. Instruction, practice, and discussion in a relaxed group atmosphere.

January, 2023  Write for information and dates.

One hour, 6:30 -7:30 PM

No charge. Register with Molly De Shong at 902-802-6543 or email mdeshong (at) gmail.com

 

Panel 2

About

Molly De Shong (M.Ed.) is a counsellor-therapist registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT). She holds a Masters in Education (Counselling),  a diploma in Health-Based Psychotherapy, and has trained deeply in Transformative Mediation. Molly has been counselling/coaching over 20 years, focusing on health and wellness, stress reduction, self-esteem, communication dynamics, and life and career transition. Molly’s approach integrates mindfulness-based discovery with cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and related methods—all to support insight, skill-building, and resilience.

Molly is also a seasoned facilitator, mediator, and consultant, supporting individuals and teams in wellness, communication, and visioning. She helped raise a stepson, and in her spare time she co-directs a community of singers, “Definitely Not the Choir.”

Fees may be covered by some Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP), as well as group health insurance benefits. Check with your employer and/or insurance provider.

Sessions held in-person or by phone or Internet.

Panel 3

Contact

Contact

Molly DeShong
Phone: 902.802.6543 (confidential)
Email: mdeshong [at] gmail.com
Website: mollydeshong.com

Office location: Living Well Integrated Care Centre, 2176 Windsor St., Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

Fees

  • $100 per hour-long session, with sliding scale available; please inquire as needed.
  • Fees covered by some Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) and group health insurance benefits. Check with your employer and/or insurance provider.
  • Fees may be considered a medical expense for income tax purposes and claimed on your Nova Scotia tax return.

Sessions in-person or by phone, Internet

Panel 4

Credentials

Registrations

Canadian Certified Counsellor #3007

Nova Scotia Registered Counselling Therapist  #15-005

Insurance Provider Registration

Medavie Blue Cross provider #120160

Green Shield Canada and SSQ Financial Group provider #000544139

Counselling-therapy is also provided /insured by Manulife, Great West Life, SunLife, Desjardins, Veterans Affairs Canada, Health Association of NS, The Shaw Group, Tandus, and others.

Education

M.Ed. (Counselling), Acadia University, 2012

Diploma, Health-Based Psychotherapy, 1999

B.Mus.Ed, Dalhousie University, 1990

B.Arts, Hamilton College, 1984

Professional Training: Highlights

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: 7-Day Professional Training with Drs. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli, 2014

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: 5-day training, 2014

Transformative Mediation Basic and Advanced Training, 2012 and 2015 (Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation)

Panel 5

Mindfulness and Other Resources

For upcoming programs, please see https://mollydeshong.com/upcoming-courses/

Books

  • Linda Graham: Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being
  • Russ Harris: The Happiness Trap
  • John Teasdale et al: The Mindful Way Workbook (for preventing relapse of depression, anxiety)
  • Edmund Bourne: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (latest edition)
  • Chris Germer: The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
  • Nicholas Lore: The Pathfinder (latest edition), a career decision-making guide
  • Kerry Patterson et al: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High (latest edition)
  • Stone et al (Harvard Negotiation Project): Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most (latest edition)
  • Sue Johnson: Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
  • John Gottman: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Websites

Mindful.org

National Institute of Mental Health

AnxietyBC

Centre for Clinical Interventions

National Institute on Drug Abuse