LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in New Westminster, BC
As a narrative-somatic therapist, I work with clients who feel disconnected but can't always explain why. Learning to understand your own personal grammar is an essential step in your healing journey as it opens up avenues to better understand yourself and the people around you. Whether you are struggling with relationships, grief, addiction, ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolarism, OCD, trauma, and/or intergenerational patterns, with a supportive space and time to explore, you can transform fossilized errors into crystallized intelligence and empower your experiences with meaning and purpose.
As a narrative-somatic therapist, I work with clients who feel disconnected but can't always explain why. Learning to understand your own personal grammar is an essential step in your healing journey as it opens up avenues to better understand yourself and the people around you. Whether you are struggling with relationships, grief, addiction, ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolarism, OCD, trauma, and/or intergenerational patterns, with a supportive space and time to explore, you can transform fossilized errors into crystallized intelligence and empower your experiences with meaning and purpose.
My approach to counselling is shaped by my experiences as a queer, BIPOC, immigrant woman, and rooted in feminist, anti-oppression and justice oriented framework.
Specialty areas: +Interpersonal and relationship issues, +Personal development, +Sexuality and gender identity, +Trauma and violence, +Partner abuse, +Immigration and adjustment, +Life transition, + Queer counselling, +Couple's counselling, +Trans counselling, +Poly and kink-friendly counselling.
My approach to counselling is shaped by my experiences as a queer, BIPOC, immigrant woman, and rooted in feminist, anti-oppression and justice oriented framework.
Specialty areas: +Interpersonal and relationship issues, +Personal development, +Sexuality and gender identity, +Trauma and violence, +Partner abuse, +Immigration and adjustment, +Life transition, + Queer counselling, +Couple's counselling, +Trans counselling, +Poly and kink-friendly counselling.
Eleonora Joensuu
Counsellor, PhD, MEd, RCC
2 Endorsed
New Westminster, BC V3L
Waitlist for new clients
I also offer queer and trans positive counselling, poly-affirming counselling, and hormone readiness assessments.
We each go through difficult times in our lives and you deserve support, compassion, and understanding. I work with individuals and relationships to heal, grow, and thrive. I offer a non-judgmental, collaborative, and trauma-informed space for you to navigate life’s difficulties, cope with distress, and create well-being and change in ways that are important to you. Counselling is a space for you and your unique concerns and I work to meet you where you are at in both your strengths and challenges. You are the expert in your life and I'm here to offer support and resources for meeting your goals.
I also offer queer and trans positive counselling, poly-affirming counselling, and hormone readiness assessments.
We each go through difficult times in our lives and you deserve support, compassion, and understanding. I work with individuals and relationships to heal, grow, and thrive. I offer a non-judgmental, collaborative, and trauma-informed space for you to navigate life’s difficulties, cope with distress, and create well-being and change in ways that are important to you. Counselling is a space for you and your unique concerns and I work to meet you where you are at in both your strengths and challenges. You are the expert in your life and I'm here to offer support and resources for meeting your goals.
I am a white, queer, second-generation settler to the lower mainland of BC.
If you feel like you are struggling or stuck in life and need a supportive ear in this overwhelming world, I can help. Whether you are going through a transitional period of life, struggling with a past trauma, or discovering your own changing identity and values, I can support you through this time.
I am a white, queer, second-generation settler to the lower mainland of BC.
If you feel like you are struggling or stuck in life and need a supportive ear in this overwhelming world, I can help. Whether you are going through a transitional period of life, struggling with a past trauma, or discovering your own changing identity and values, I can support you through this time.
Hello! My name is Claire and I'm a counsellor who aims to support the experience of being human with therapeutic, evidence-based approaches in counselling. If you are struggling with life's circumstances, managing emotions, navigating change, relational challenges or you want to better understand yourself, I will bring an open mind and curiosity to accompany you in your process of self-discovery.
Hello! My name is Claire and I'm a counsellor who aims to support the experience of being human with therapeutic, evidence-based approaches in counselling. If you are struggling with life's circumstances, managing emotions, navigating change, relational challenges or you want to better understand yourself, I will bring an open mind and curiosity to accompany you in your process of self-discovery.
The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights is a virtual clinic specializing in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This approach explores the root causes of symptoms by uncovering and understanding underlying emotions through evidence-based treatment. Through collaborative dialogue, we examine unconscious thoughts and emotions shaped from childhood to the present. We work to relieve symptoms by understanding how these patterns affect current experiences, and create targeted strategies for meaningful change long-term.
The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights is a virtual clinic specializing in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This approach explores the root causes of symptoms by uncovering and understanding underlying emotions through evidence-based treatment. Through collaborative dialogue, we examine unconscious thoughts and emotions shaped from childhood to the present. We work to relieve symptoms by understanding how these patterns affect current experiences, and create targeted strategies for meaningful change long-term.
Olá! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia with a doctoral degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and I previously worked as a psychologist in Brazil. With over 23 years of clinical experience, I support clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions such as immigration, separation, career changes, and midlife crises. As an immigrant myself, I understand how important it is to feel seen, culturally understood, and supported by a sense of belonging in the healing process.
Olá! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia with a doctoral degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and I previously worked as a psychologist in Brazil. With over 23 years of clinical experience, I support clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions such as immigration, separation, career changes, and midlife crises. As an immigrant myself, I understand how important it is to feel seen, culturally understood, and supported by a sense of belonging in the healing process.
The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights is a virtual psychotherapy clinic specializing in Psychodynamic psychotherapy. This approach focuses on revealing, understanding, and resolving underlying emotions and root causes of symptoms through evidence-based interventions and a comprehensive treatment plan. With an in-depth collaborative discussion and analysis of unconscious thoughts and emotions from childhood until the present day, we can explore how they inform us today to help relieve symptoms and develop targeted strategies to foster change.
The Centre for Psychodynamic Insights is a virtual psychotherapy clinic specializing in Psychodynamic psychotherapy. This approach focuses on revealing, understanding, and resolving underlying emotions and root causes of symptoms through evidence-based interventions and a comprehensive treatment plan. With an in-depth collaborative discussion and analysis of unconscious thoughts and emotions from childhood until the present day, we can explore how they inform us today to help relieve symptoms and develop targeted strategies to foster change.
If you often feel stuck in your head and are curious about a more embodied, mindful, and arts-based approaches to therapy, I'd be glad to support you. Mindfulness based therapy can help reconnect the wholeness of our mind-body-heart, while arts based approach can nourish the kind of creativity and openness needed in facing life's storms. Doing counselling in and "with" nature can further nurture a sense of connection with something bigger than us, making our journey in navigating life's turbulent challenges less lonely.
If you often feel stuck in your head and are curious about a more embodied, mindful, and arts-based approaches to therapy, I'd be glad to support you. Mindfulness based therapy can help reconnect the wholeness of our mind-body-heart, while arts based approach can nourish the kind of creativity and openness needed in facing life's storms. Doing counselling in and "with" nature can further nurture a sense of connection with something bigger than us, making our journey in navigating life's turbulent challenges less lonely.
I'm especially passionate about supporting BIPOC and queer communities, neurodivergent folks, and anyone navigating the weight of systemic harm, identity, or burnout.
My approach is holistic, inclusive, and rooted in connection. I draw on relational-cultural therapy, narrative therapy, and somatic practices, and I’m guided by frameworks that honour the wisdom of lived experience. I’m not here to "fix" you… I’m here to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your own agency, strength, and self-understanding.
I'm especially passionate about supporting BIPOC and queer communities, neurodivergent folks, and anyone navigating the weight of systemic harm, identity, or burnout.
My approach is holistic, inclusive, and rooted in connection. I draw on relational-cultural therapy, narrative therapy, and somatic practices, and I’m guided by frameworks that honour the wisdom of lived experience. I’m not here to "fix" you… I’m here to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your own agency, strength, and self-understanding.
Hi, I’m John (he/him): a queer counselling intern at East Vancouver Counselling while concluding Master of Counselling at City University.
Emotions are central to the human experience. They occur spontaneously and run through our nervous system, shaping how we think, act, and connect. Emotions carry useful data for therapy. We will slow down, pay attention to what you feel, and explore the stories you carry about yourself – so that past hurt may be understood without defining you.
Hi, I’m John (he/him): a queer counselling intern at East Vancouver Counselling while concluding Master of Counselling at City University.
Emotions are central to the human experience. They occur spontaneously and run through our nervous system, shaping how we think, act, and connect. Emotions carry useful data for therapy. We will slow down, pay attention to what you feel, and explore the stories you carry about yourself – so that past hurt may be understood without defining you.
Anxiety, worry, depression, or stress can prevent us from enjoying the life we desire. What we think and feel can shape our reality, how we navigate the world, and also influence how others respond to us. This is because our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are all connected and are constantly creating feedback loops – both positive and negative. Sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs that trigger a downward spiral that (at the time) can feel impossible to recover from. Although difficult events can be destabilizing, confusing, and painful they can also offer us the greatest opportunity for growth.
Anxiety, worry, depression, or stress can prevent us from enjoying the life we desire. What we think and feel can shape our reality, how we navigate the world, and also influence how others respond to us. This is because our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are all connected and are constantly creating feedback loops – both positive and negative. Sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs that trigger a downward spiral that (at the time) can feel impossible to recover from. Although difficult events can be destabilizing, confusing, and painful they can also offer us the greatest opportunity for growth.
I have extensive experience working in a variety of settings, ranging from individuals dealing with substance use to those recovering from trauma; this also includes a variety of people, extending my help and skills to the LGBTQ+ community to those requiring palliative care.
Drawing from a multi-modal theoretical framework, I place a strong emphasis on existential theory to support clients in gaining self-awareness and understanding their environment. I often use metaphor and humor to encourage clients to explore their lives from different angles and uncover their own sources of meaning.
I have extensive experience working in a variety of settings, ranging from individuals dealing with substance use to those recovering from trauma; this also includes a variety of people, extending my help and skills to the LGBTQ+ community to those requiring palliative care.
Drawing from a multi-modal theoretical framework, I place a strong emphasis on existential theory to support clients in gaining self-awareness and understanding their environment. I often use metaphor and humor to encourage clients to explore their lives from different angles and uncover their own sources of meaning.
I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating: identity shifts, neurodivergence, religious trauma, LGBTQ+ experiences, relationship strain, and life transitions.
At some point, something shifted. Maybe a relationship you counted on started fracturing. Maybe the faith community or career that once defined you no longer fits. Maybe you're figuring out who you are or who you're allowed to be for the first time.
That kind of disorientation is exhausting. And it often comes with a particular loneliness, because the people around you don't always understand what you're going through.
I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating: identity shifts, neurodivergence, religious trauma, LGBTQ+ experiences, relationship strain, and life transitions.
At some point, something shifted. Maybe a relationship you counted on started fracturing. Maybe the faith community or career that once defined you no longer fits. Maybe you're figuring out who you are or who you're allowed to be for the first time.
That kind of disorientation is exhausting. And it often comes with a particular loneliness, because the people around you don't always understand what you're going through.
I have lived experience as a queer trans woman, living with ADHD, and practising polyamory.
I practice counselling with the understanding that power structures and systems of oppression affect our mental health and well-being. I offer a therapeutic environment where it is safe to talk about experiences of oppression and marginalization without being minimized or told it's all in your head.
I have lived experience as a queer trans woman, living with ADHD, and practising polyamory.
I practice counselling with the understanding that power structures and systems of oppression affect our mental health and well-being. I offer a therapeutic environment where it is safe to talk about experiences of oppression and marginalization without being minimized or told it's all in your head.
You may be the person everyone relies on—the one who keeps going and appears fine on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally exhausted underneath. I work with adults and women experiencing anxiety, burnout, stress, trauma, low self-worth, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Many struggle with overthinking, people-pleasing, and self-criticism. Together, we'll explore patterns that keep you stuck, build practical coping tools, and help you feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally steady. You don't have to carry it all alone.
You may be the person everyone relies on—the one who keeps going and appears fine on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally exhausted underneath. I work with adults and women experiencing anxiety, burnout, stress, trauma, low self-worth, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Many struggle with overthinking, people-pleasing, and self-criticism. Together, we'll explore patterns that keep you stuck, build practical coping tools, and help you feel more grounded, confident, and emotionally steady. You don't have to carry it all alone.
I offer culturally-sensitive, and LGBTQ+ positive services.
Being a human being is complicated, and often difficult, and we all need understanding and support from other people. I work as a counsellor because I want to provide that support and understanding, and I want to help people find and reclaim power in their lives, even in the face things they cannot change. I work as a team with my clients to build on their skills and strengths, figure out what coping strategies might not be working for them anymore, and find new ways of coping and being in the world. I work with all kinds of clients, and I am particularly interested in supporting neurodiverse, disabled, and chronically ill clients.
I offer culturally-sensitive, and LGBTQ+ positive services.
Being a human being is complicated, and often difficult, and we all need understanding and support from other people. I work as a counsellor because I want to provide that support and understanding, and I want to help people find and reclaim power in their lives, even in the face things they cannot change. I work as a team with my clients to build on their skills and strengths, figure out what coping strategies might not be working for them anymore, and find new ways of coping and being in the world. I work with all kinds of clients, and I am particularly interested in supporting neurodiverse, disabled, and chronically ill clients.
I offer an approach to counselling based on authenticity, genuine care and respect. I work with my clients collaboratively and non-judgmentally, using an approach built on attachment and trauma informed therapy. I offer short-term and in depth counselling to address issues that make people/parents/children/youth feel stuck, ashamed, confused, guilty, depressed, worried, afraid or just curious and that might be preventing them from reaching a sense of fulfilment, self-efficacy & control in their lives.
I offer an approach to counselling based on authenticity, genuine care and respect. I work with my clients collaboratively and non-judgmentally, using an approach built on attachment and trauma informed therapy. I offer short-term and in depth counselling to address issues that make people/parents/children/youth feel stuck, ashamed, confused, guilty, depressed, worried, afraid or just curious and that might be preventing them from reaching a sense of fulfilment, self-efficacy & control in their lives.
If you want to change your life, therapy is a great way to start. I help people develop coping skills to manage complicated thoughts and emotions. With 24 years of experience, I provide a supportive setting to help you manage your emotions, make positive changes, and overcome difficulties. But, the first step is actually reaching out for help.. I provide therapy for clients who struggle anxiety, depression, life transitions, PTSD/trauma, borderline personality disorder (BPD), panic attacks, mood swings, and relationship problems. I also work with couples who are struggling with communication, stress, infidelity and intimacy issues
If you want to change your life, therapy is a great way to start. I help people develop coping skills to manage complicated thoughts and emotions. With 24 years of experience, I provide a supportive setting to help you manage your emotions, make positive changes, and overcome difficulties. But, the first step is actually reaching out for help.. I provide therapy for clients who struggle anxiety, depression, life transitions, PTSD/trauma, borderline personality disorder (BPD), panic attacks, mood swings, and relationship problems. I also work with couples who are struggling with communication, stress, infidelity and intimacy issues
We’re here to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore vulnerable experiences without judgment. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic approaches tailored to your unique needs, helping you build awareness and gain control in your life. We work together to strengthen your inner resources, boost resilience, and equip you with the tools to face challenges with confidence. Our goal is to support you as you move forward, ready to handle whatever life brings your way.
We’re here to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore vulnerable experiences without judgment. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic approaches tailored to your unique needs, helping you build awareness and gain control in your life. We work together to strengthen your inner resources, boost resilience, and equip you with the tools to face challenges with confidence. Our goal is to support you as you move forward, ready to handle whatever life brings your way.
See more therapy options for New Westminster
Nearby LGBTQ+ Counsellors Searches for New Westminster
- Burnaby
- Coquitlam
- Delta
- Maple Ridge
- North Vancouver
- Pitt Meadows
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Richmond
- Surrey
- Vancouver
- White Rock
LGBTQ+ Counsellors
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialised training, either during their degree programme or as continuing education, to learn the core principles of affirmative therapy and how to best support their LGBTQ clients; some have received certifications in LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. Prospective clients should inquire as to a clinician’s background and training to ensure a good fit.
Why might I want to see an LGBTQ-affirming or LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
Queer and gender-non-conforming individuals frequently experience bias and marginalisation in day-to-day life. Working with a therapist who understands these unique challenges, as well as accepts and affirms their identity, can help LGBTQ clients feel safe and supported during therapy—allowing them to better navigate their relationships, mental health, and anything else that they wish to explore during therapy. It is important to note that many therapists can be effective in their work with LGBTQ+ individuals, even in the absence of specific training or background knowledge. The most important component in therapy is the alliance between therapist and client, and this alliance can exist between individuals with very different backgrounds.
How can I find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
You may wish to inquire about a therapist’s expertise with your specific challenges or concerns—depression, for example, or relationship strife—as well as their past experiences treating LGBTQ+ clients. Prospective clients may also ask whether a therapist has obtained additional training and/or certification in LGBTQ-affirmative techniques.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience with LGBTQ issues?
Prospective clients should feel empowered to directly ask therapists whether they have received training or been certified in LGBTQ-affirming therapy; competent therapists will be happy to explain their educational background and preferred approach(es) to help a client find the best match for them. Clients may also wish to ask how a therapist has treated clients with their particular challenges in the past and what they expect treatment to look like.
Are all the therapists listed in the LGBTQ directory themselves members of the LGBTQ community?
While therapists may choose to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity in their profiles, the LGBTQ directory features not only those who have shared this information but also those who assert specialised training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.