Our Team

Neal Henderson is the founder of Creating Your Balance Counselling Therapy, providing professional counselling services in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, with virtual therapy available across most Canadian provinces. With more than 30 years of experience in mental health & addictions, Neal supports individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful change, emotional balance, and improved mental wellness.

Neal is especially passionate about supporting men’s mental health, helping men navigate stress, relationships, life transitions, and emotional challenges in a way that feels practical, respectful, and empowering.

Professional Background

Neal brings extensive experience from both community and healthcare settings, including work with:

• Mental Health & Addictions programs within Nova Scotia Health
• Youth and family services within the Department of Opportunities and Social Development
• The Halifax Regional Centre for Education supporting children and families
• Adult rehabilitation and community support programs
• Foster parenting and family support services
• Mental health group facilitation and psycho-educational programs

This diverse background allows Neal to work effectively with clients experiencing challenges related to anxiety, depression, addiction, stress, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

Education & Professional Credentials

Neal holds multiple professional designations and is registered with recognized Canadian regulatory bodies:

Education:

• Masters of Education Counselling (MEd)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Credentials:

• Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) - Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
• Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) - Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapist - Registered Social Worker (RSW) - Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Counselling Approach

Neal’s counselling style is client-centered, collaborative, and practical. He believes that clients are the experts in their own lives and that therapy works best when people feel respected, heard, and supported.

His approach integrates several evidence-based methods, including:

• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT)
• Structured Relapse Prevention (SRP)

Sessions are tailored to each person’s goals and may focus on building coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, and developing healthier patterns of thinking and behaviour.

Areas of Focus

Neal works with adults, couples, and families experiencing:

• Anxiety and stress
• Depression and emotional overwhelm
• Life transitions and major life changes
• Relationship and communication challenges
• Addiction and relapse prevention
• Men’s mental health and identity
• Emotional regulation and resilience

Counselling Services

Through Creating Your Balance Counselling Therapy, Neal provides:

• Individual counselling
• Couples counselling
• Family counselling
• Walk-and-Talk therapy in Dartmouth
• Virtual counselling across Canada

Sessions are available in person in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, or online through secure virtual counselling.

A Collaborative Approach to Growth

Neal believes counselling is not about “fixing” people—it is about helping individuals reconnect with their strengths, develop new skills, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating a life transition, or simply looking for a supportive space to talk, counselling can help you move toward greater balance, resilience, and well-being.

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