Veterans Therapists in Nanaimo, BC

Have you spent your entire life trying to get over your childhood? Do you deal with crippling anxiety, PTSD, crushing depression, severe sleep problems, or struggle with ADHD? My professional area of interest, and my expertise, is in helping people deal with the aftermath of trauma. I offer somatic- and trauma-informed counselling online, and neurofeedback in-office. Neurofeedback reduces or eliminates symptoms that block your ability to live life to the fullest. Severe trauma--residential school survivors and their families, war veterans , those with histories of severe childhood abuse--may need two to three 20-session blocks.

Sessions are available. People seek counselling for reasons as varied as shifting tidal sands. Some want to ease stress and/or anxiety while others want help regarding past and present mistreatment of visible minorities. Others with visible and/or invisible disabilities may deal with issues regarding accessibility or navigating social interactions. Others yet are dealing with evolving sexual and/or gender identities, seeking help with their new understandings about themselves. Whether changing perspectives or navigating new territory, Inclusions Counselling can help.

Hi and thank you looking at my profile. I work mostly out of a strengths-based perspective which means that when we talk about the things you want to change in your life, I'm not only considering what you struggle with but also all the things that you're great at. In my experience, we all have skills and tools that we might not be aware of and part of my role is to uncover them with you. In some cases, we might also want to add to your toolkit to give you more options to deal with life's challenges. In the past, I've helped clients work through depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, communication skills, and trauma.

I am a registered Social Worker with the BCCSW and BCASW with a Master's of Social Work. I have completed a post-graduate Certificate in Complex Trauma. In my practice, I utilize CBT, Solution Focused, Person-Centered and Motivational Interviewing techniques to support and inform change. I have extensive experience working with children and youth and I incorporate play, activity, art, nature, movement and activities into my sessions. Other areas of focus are working with men around communication skills, relationships and regulation of emotions as well as couples and individual counselling.

I bring decades of experience helping emergency services and health care professionals find solutions to the cumulative stress they experience every day in their jobs. Without a safe place to work through these normal reactions to abnormal events, careers can be cut short and the families of these professionals struggle as well. Together we can find solutions for work related stress and other issues such as: the impact on the families, grief and loss, addiction/recovery and enhance existing coping skills. I enjoy working with a wide range of age groups from young adult to adult.

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)

Together you will discover the roots of challenges you are facing in yourself, family and relationships. This involves connecting current challenges with learning and experiences from childhood. Using CBT and mindfulness you can identify thoughts and beliefs and their connection to emotions that drive behavior. Being able to name thoughts and emotions creates a new relationship to them and provides new choices and perspectives. For those with ADHD, I will provide additional guidance on proven behavioural approaches that will help you develop new ways of working, learning and relating.

Do you feel bogged down by intense anxiety or stress? Do you feel hopeless or depressed about your life? Are the relationships in your life are imbalanced or filled with tension? Are you having trouble letting go of difficult past experiences or memories? Does addiction have a tight grip on your life? If you relate to any of those questions and would like help navigating difficult emotions, behaviours, relationships, or trauma, come talk to me. I would be honoured to be a part of your journey and help you achieve your goals.

With over fifteen years of experience and a commitment to ongoing education/training I can help you. Whether you need a safe, non-judgemental person to talk to, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help with anger, anxiety or depression, a scientific non-twelve step approach to addictions/compulsive behaviour or hypnotherapy to help with all the above as well as letting go of the past or removal of PTSD/PTSD-like symptoms in a non-retraumatizing manner, I can provide you with the effective services that you need.

My focus is strongly influenced by a person-centered therapy approach to wellness through different methods such as Eco-therapy or expressive art therapy techniques and using the natural elements available to us should the sessions call for such an approach. Reducing stress and anxiety to create a more peaceful person inside who can claim their meaning and be more joyful in life is a difficult path to walk alone. I am here to help and be part of the healing journey. I have completed my diploma in April of 2023 and plan to continue my education and training to better serve the clients I take on as I evolve as a counsellor.

Simplicity, gratitude, love and service are my guiding principles. I utilize the Satir Model (Virginia Satir et al) to help clients cultivate personal awareness, internal resources, change and healthy relationship with self and others. I promote and model balanced lifestyle including; contemplation, exercise, solitude, ceremony and connection. I have demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for helping people heal for over 35 years as a youth worker, addictions counsellor and social worker.

Working with others is my life's passion. It stems from my sincere desire to help people develop insight into their lives and the relationships they are connected through. Culturally sensitive, empathetic, compassionate but direct, I am regarded as non-judgmental and accepting. My professional background is in mental health, addictions, as well as working with couples/families affected by systemic issues. Together we will foster effective communication skills, self-care, health, future goals and building of respectful relationships. It is my sincere pleasure to be part of someone's journey to find deeper meaning in their lives

When life is difficult the resulting symptoms usually include depression, anxiety, fear, anger and/or withdrawal. Rather than avoiding these states I have helped hundreds of clients turn them into resources, significantly improving their lives --usually after only a few sessions. I have 25+ years experience working with couples, individuals, families and groups, and have supervised 20+ new therapists. I specialize with couples, helping them to move beyond arguing, tension, anger, resentment and distancing into happy couples. My clients turn their problems into workable solutions. Free tips: www.shorecounselling.ca.

My ideal client has often dug themselves into a hole into which they can not get out of on their own. The issues will be related to a difficult relationship of some description, partner, family, community, finance, environment, financial, and certainly themselves. It is likely that their goals are uncertain and that they feel lost. Very often, my ideal client does not know what they want, but can with certainty say what they don't want.

I provide individual counselling to adults and adolescents struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences, grief, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, suicide ideation, relationship and attachment injuries, communication issues, sexuality and gender identity, and a desire for personal change and growth. I believe in each individual's power to heal and thrive. I'm passionate about helping clients achieve their goals through a multi-disciplinary approach providing tools and transformational therapy. I do not discriminate based on private medical decisions.

Thinking of going for counselling can be a frightening thought. If you are at this stage you probably feel like your life could be better, your quality of interactions with other people could improve; you want more out of the life you have or are at your wits end in regards to some aspect of your life. Whatever the circumstance my goal is to meet you where you are at and to work together to work towards healing or a better quality of life.

Breath Control Therapy offers breathwork techniques and breathing exercises critical for rehabilitation from both physical and psychological injury and illness but also to maintaining conditioning and improve sports performance.