Therapists in British Columbia

Are you an adult who was recently diagnosed with or suspects that you have ADHD and/or Autism? Do you need help living a fulfilling life as a neurodivergent individual in a world designed for neurotypical folks? Are you looking for someone who intimately understands your struggles with Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA), Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and your highly sensitive nature? You've come to the right place! I am an AuDHD (w/ PDA) counsellor specializing in working with late-diagnosed, and undiagnosed neurodivergent adults using a neurodiversity-centred and compassion-focused approach.

Many of us struggle with emotional experiences that knock us off our feet. Low mood and chronic stress; difficulty with trust and relationships; and difficulty with overwhelm, focus, or organization are painful and isolating experiences. Unfortunately, we’re surrounded with messaging that if only we tried harder, we could think or act our way out of these experiences - leaving us feeling even more alone or frustrated if things don’t change.

Counsellor-Bryan Kim. People often seek out therapy when they are facing pain and uncertainty — as well they should — but working with a therapist doesn’t need to be something that only happens in a moment of crisis or at the breaking point of a relationship. Therapy is also ideal during times of transition when you simply need some extra support and perspective. You owe it to yourself to take time for focus and reflection. Emotional intelligence and healthy coping skills have extraordinary value, and you should consider therapy to be an investment in your own personal wisdom. You are the expert on your life.

My name is Janel Derrick and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #12852) with a Masters in Counselling Psychology. I’ve been working in the field of psychology in one form or another for over 20 years. Initially I started as frontline support working with children on the autism spectrum from which I grew into a Behavioural Consultant working with this same population. Now, and for the past several years, I have added the role of clinical counsellor working with individuals, couples, groups, and families who are navigating mental health challenges of many kinds.

Hello! I’m Amber and I am a trauma-informed, strengths-based, Registered Clinical Counsellor who uses a relational-attachment-based approach in my work with individuals and couples coping with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma, relationship, sexuality and communication/boundary challenges. I have been working in the field of counselling and mental health for 11 years and in private practice since 2014. I offer a free 15-minute confidential consultation via phone to determine whether my services and approach are a good fit for you. Feel free to reach out via phone or email anytime.

Everyone experiences situations in their lives when things do not work out as planned or desired. You may be having a difficult time in moving forward without the time, tools and support to do so in a positive way. Our emotional health is equally, if not more, important than our physical and mental health. When we are faced with trauma, our emotional health takes a toll and affects our ability to manage and demonstrate the emotions that arise from what we have experienced. When individuals and family members address and work on issues, which have been buried for years, they are able to achieve a sense of peace, balance and comfort.

Many of my clients are looking for ways to strengthen their voices and develop a stronger sense of who they are. They tend to see themselves as outliers: the ones who count themselves out or who yearn for a different life but can’t quite navigate how to get it. My experience as a teacher and comedy/theatre performer combines with my naturally playful and energetic self to help people manage what’s ahead. Together, we will work on developing greater awareness and self-compassion while stoking our imaginations to think of new ways forward.

Ethical, caring and safe relationships form the fabric of a rich and joyful life, therefore, individual and community healing go hand in hand. We believe in the healing power of a therapeutic relationship, where clients can feel valued and empowered to envision, practice and create change. Creating this relationship is the starting point for therapy. In all aspects of our work - therapy, assessment, consultation and education - we are committed to our clients and to the bonds of family, friendship and community that sustain them. We are proud of the way that we, as a practice, contribute to community health.

I offer a combination of expressive arts therapy and play therapy to clients who are neurodiverse, have developmental challenges, have suffered trauma, loss, or who have complex family situations. I seek to attune to the client, providing support through empathic listening, whilst also offering a range of arts and play possibilities to explore. Change is possible as the client feels honoured in their unique way of being, whilst grounding and utilizing tools to express authentic aspects of themself. The client discovers resources within themselves that help them overcome obstacles and challenges.

Harbourside Family Counseling Centre is a collective of trained professionals who provide evidence-based assessment, consultation and treatment to people of all ages who seek greater happiness and fulfillment in their lives. We use science-based approaches and techniques applied to the goals of positive emotion, mindfulness and community connection, which is one of the highest predictors of happiness and well-being.

I truly believe treatment is a partnership between counsellor and client and will work with you to design an effective plan that recognizes your personal strengths and challenges. I use warmth, humour, and authenticity in my approach to make each client feel comfortable and to build a strong, positive therapeutic connection. I have experience using creative methods, such as games and movement activities, to connect with younger clients and spark their interest in the counselling process. I also support individuals with neurodiversity and their families.

Parenting is not an easy task! You love your children, only want the best for them, and have probably tried a whole variety of strategies to help them. Still, your children and your whole family might be dealing with difficult emotions and challenging behaviour. Maybe, as parents, you are also re-shaping: adding new members, responding to new challenges and in need of new arrangements.

I am here to help you, or your child, dealing with anxiety, trauma, PTSD, family relationships, parenting, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intimate relationships. In other words, situations that make you feel like you’re overwhelmed and like you’re struggling to cope. I am passionate about understanding you and your own unique story. My greatest desire is that you feel heard, supported, and understood. Strength comes connecting to the source within you that desires change. If you are looking for help, it is time for change. I am here for you!

Hello! As a South Asian woman of colour, I have grown up and experienced living in a multicultural society, balancing the different identities that may come from being a child of immigrants as well as having peers of differing backgrounds. This has helped me develop a unique understanding of the experiences of those similar and different to me. I understand that our cultural upbringings, beliefs, and values may both help and hinder us in some ways as we grow into who we are today. We are made up of so many parts that make us who we are, and that is so important to understand and work with for your mental health and wellbeing.

As a registered clinical counsellor, I consider it a privilege and honour to walk alongside my clients on their path toward their personal goals of healing and health. I provide a non-judgmental, collaborative, and compassionate approach to therapy that allows my clients to express their personal story in a supportive environment. I believe that each person is on a journey that can be accentuated by looking forward with hope. It is my goal to help my clients incorporate hope in their experiences.

If life feels overwhelming or perhaps feels like you are in emotional pain and are having trouble coping, I meet clients where they are at in their struggles and help them to unpack their emotions and offer strategies for increased resilliancy. I practice from a strength and client-centred approach. I have worked with children and youth for over 8 years and apply this knowledge in my clinical work with children youth and families. Being a father myself, I can relate to some of the hardships that families endure and stand beside my clients to offer support and validation.

We cannot change the events or situations of our past, but we can absolutely be free from being chronically impacted, and compacted by our history. You are entitled to all of your feelings and they are an integral part of healing and living a healthy life. If you are ready to move what you are holding to a new place, I am here to support that process. You can find your voice, unpack your story, be seen and heard, I bring tools and support to make the changes you would like to make, so that you can embrace your life with love and enthusiasm. In my mind, everyone who survived their story and makes it to counselling is a superhero.

Children are one third of our population and all of our future. I specialize in children, teens and families. I believe that parents do the best they can with the tools they have been given - tools that can be learned and expanded through counselling. I graduated with my Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors I work primarily with individual children (6-12), individual teens (ages 13+) and parents.

I provide counselling to youth, adults, and couples. Clients will find that I bring a holistic, non-judgmental, compassionate, and collaborative approach to my work and integrate a collection of evidence-based therapeutic approaches developed to address different aspects of clients' experiences with the all-encompassing goal of helping clients achieve a greater sense of happiness by improving their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.