Therapists in Ladysmith, BC

I am very passionate about my counselling work and feel inspired by the counselling process, my client’s courage, resilience and strengths. I take an integrative approach, drawing from multiple evidence-based modalities and tailor therapy according to each client’s unique needs, goals and preferences. I have broad experience working with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, relationship/pre-marital and marital issues, parenting challenges (including transition into parenthood and post-partum issues), stress management, multicultural issues, grief, work/life balance, and major life transitions.

In order to move our life forward, we sometimes need to be understood and feel connected with other people (or pets or other animals). If you would like support in the area of relationship challenges, anxiety management and/or self-regulation tools, please feel free to send me an email or call.

Sometimes in life we can feel stuck in patterns that don’t make sense but that we just can’t seem to change. Do you feel like you're on high alert for signs of danger, feeling anxious? Or do you feel emotionally flat, only half alive? When you feel upset, do you find yourself with your back up, ready to fight? Do you feel like running away, escaping the situation? Do you find yourself frozen and collapsing, not able to act? You know you’re capable of overcoming these patterns, but how do you get there? The fight, flight, & freeze are survival states, hardwired into our nervous system through childhood trauma or overwhelming events.

My philosophy of practice is to work closely with you so that you accomplish your goals in therapy. Working with you, I provide a combination of narrative, cognitive behavioral therapy, and coaching in order to help you achieve the health and well being that you want to gain. I have experience with trauma victims with P.T.S.D. using E.M.D.R. as a method of healing. There are also times where I can work with you using Brief Solution Focused Therapy because there are situations that do not require long term therapy.

Many of my clients come because they are responsible to others but long for more personal connection and wellness. They may be challenged about a sense of self and self-care, or they're anxious/insecure about work and life moves and family juggling. Many have been through significant grief and trauma. Parents want support in helping their children to grow holistically with a sense self agency, cultural fluidity, meaningful life insights, and innovative/creative energy. Some come because conflicted family breakups left them needing support to fulfill loving developmental inner pieces that got missed or bypassed in their upbringing.

Your health and well being are deeply affected by stress and challenging events. I provide a safe and supportive space for you to process the difficult parts of your life, and give you tools to cope with your daily world. I will work within your comfort level and use different aspects of talk therapy, energy work, somatic healing, intuitive guided inner work, meditation, sound bath healing, essential oils, and even diet and life style evaluation and adjustments. These tools can be used with trauma, anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, relationship challenges, self esteem, grief, and much more. Sessions are held by phone or online.

I recently founded Thrive Family Co. (www.thrivefamily.co), an innovative online course company dedicated to providing families with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to thrive. I am a certified clinical counsellor, elementary school counsellor and certified teacher. I have had over twenty years of experience working as an educator, administrator and educational consultant in Vancouver, San Francisco, San Diego and Guadalajara, Mexico. After over 12-years of living abroad, my family and I are thrilled to return to Vancouver Island. We really can’t imagine any better place to call home.

I work in an integrative way. What we do and how we approach it will depend on what works best for you and what you need at this time. Some people know exactly what they want to work on. Other people come because something doesn't feel right or they're not functioning as well as they could but they're not sure at first why that is. Others come even though things are going well but they'd like to develop greater awareness or fulfilment in life. We will work together to develop an approach that suits you.

Accepting Clients - I am a somatic therapist supporting older youth & adults healing from symptoms of anxiety and depression, the stressors of daily living, processing trauma related to relationships and family, and navigating life transitions. The people who seek me out are often yearning for authentic living and deep connection. They may be in search of their identity or life purpose. Some may be uncovering limiting relational patterns and want to break the cycles that no longer serve them in order to live more fulfilling lives.

Turn relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and stress downside-up and stop repeating the same troublesome patterns. I am an experienced counsellor who can help you turn problems into solutions, getting you the tools you need to make real changes, starting now. Doing more than just listen, I help you deal with problems and underlying causes so that you can gain relief now and for the future. Life is better with help: I can help with relationships, infidelity, trust, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, sex issues, panic, addictions, anger, trauma, grief, and more. Frowns really can turn into smiles.

I am a warmhearted and respectful professional with over 18 years of counselling experience. I offer individual, child, teen, parent & family counselling with a safe, therapeutic, and non-judgmental lens. I use a variety of counselling approaches, such as CBT, Trauma-informed and Psychodynamic Therapy to suit your circumstances, experiences, and preferences to create a respectful and empowering approach to the work together. I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I am a Registered Counsellor Provider with the BC Crime Victim Assistance Program, First Nations Health Authority and Humanacare EAP.

I would love to meet you and offer you real change and skills to move forward into wholeness and freedom. I believe the best healing involves all parts of us; mind, body, emotions and spirit. In our fast-paced society, opportunities to be deeply heard, respected and affirmed are scarce. I help clients from a position of respect and non-judgemental curiosity, while clarifying core beliefs, values and goals for change. The tools I have to offer are evidence-based and scientifically proven. The lens I use as I sit with clients is that every human being is a person of worth and value and deserves unconditional positive regard.

Struggling with self-criticism, shame, low self-esteem, stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, eating disorders, family conflict, relationship struggles, life changes or grief? Needing support, new skills or help for moving forward? You deserve to find more peace and well-being. I can help. Together we will explore what is getting the way, heal what needs to be healed, feel what needs to be felt and learn what needs to be learned.

I enjoy helping individuals create positive change in their lives and dissolve barriers that interfere with personal success. Therapy provides opportunities to learn how to dissolve troublesome emotions that inter with quality of life and the ability to enjoy the present moment. As a therapist, I enjoy helping people overcome a variety of emotional difficulties, including depression, anxiety, adjustment to life changes, addictions, trauma, grief, pain management, low self-esteem and interpersonal problems. I help people access their inner strength to help cope with life's challenges and I provide coaching for goal achievement.

I have been working as a registered psychologist since 2008. It's important to me to create a safe, caring respectful environment where anyone, no matter who they are, feels welcome. The relationship between us is one of the most important factors in determining how helpful counselling with me will be. Clients often come to me with anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, difficulties with life transitions, and grief or loss. We will work together to develop a plan to deal effectively with the issues that bring you to see me. (Can also contact by Fax: 250.984.0859)

I truly believe that the hardest part of parenting is undoing the hardwiring we experienced during our own childhood. I help adults make sense of what triggers their own reactivity with their kids, where that came from, how it plays out in their relationships and how to tame those triggers to break the cycle of authoritarian and shame based parenting. It is hard work making those changes but I truly believe it’s never too late to repair those relationships. Using EMDR, I help clients process past childhood memories that hold those negative reactions, so that we can heal and parent from a more empathetic and respectful place.

Offering professional, compassionate and down-to-earth support as well as on site palliative and generalized counselling by appointment. I also specialize in grief/bereavement work of all kinds. Change, life transitions and cumulative stress can make sustaining energy and meaningful purpose difficult, whether your challenges are recent or long standing. We're here to help. Contact our Duncan office or visit www.oaklandsrcc.com.

We're a group of experienced, trained, and professional counsellors who serve the mid-island area and beyond. We also provide online services for those who prefer it or for those who live outside of the geographic area. Are you dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, relationship turmoil? We can help!

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. I embrace a holistic and collaborative approach to working with others, respecting that successful therapy honours the values and beliefs of each client. I believe that one's trauma history, distress, and pain are often the foundations that strength, meaningfulness, and wisdom are built upon. I offer personalized short or long-term therapy individuals, couples, adolescents, or families. Resiliency need not be something one is born with, it can be cultivated. ~Christine