Therapists in Parksville, BC

My work is primarily with those who have experienced trauma including PTSD, complex trauma, child sexual abuse, and Dissociative disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder. I view trauma as the experience of being emotionally and psychologically overwhelmed and overcome for a period measured in weeks, months, or years by adverse childhood experiences and adult traumatic events. My focus is always on the present and a hopeful future - how can those debilitated by anxiety, shame, and poor self-worth become healthy enough to meet their own needs for income, housing, affirming relationships, and physical and mental wellness.

I believe that you are the expert about you and that I will work together with you to find information and strategies that will help you to feel better in your life. I work from a trauma informed perspective that means when I work together with individuals, I consider past trauma and how this may impact your resulting thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I have a range of therapeutic tools that use with clients including EMDR, Polyvagal Mindfulness, Deep Brain Reorientation.

Anyone including individuals, couples and families in need of counselling will benefit from coming to see me. I have had many years experience working with youth and adults. The area I particularly enjoy working with is trauma, both childhood and more recent traumatic experiences such as car accidents, abuse, or other traumatic incidents. I work collaboratively with my clients to determine what their goals are and what therapy will be the most useful. I have been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and find this very effective in working with trauma.

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling stuck or lost and searching for meaning – leaving us with feelings of anxiety and/or depression. Some may unexpectedly find themselves in the midst of a major life transition, while others are looking to make a change. Life can be very challenging and stressful at times — you know this. But what you may not know is that there are ways to prepare yourself to navigate these challenges with less pain and more ease. No matter where you find yourself or what you are facing, I offer a safe place to support you on your path to wellness.

I help people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues, stress in the workplace, and blocks to personal growth or creativity. My clients comment that they feel heard and understood by me, and that they appreciate my soft-spoken, gentle, and compassionate nature. My work is based on AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), which draws from attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and more. What this looks like and feels like in session is that I will be working from the get-go to attend to all aspects of the therapeutic relationship with you, and together we will create

I consider every person I have the opportunity to walk with to be unique and capable of shifting any problem that may be getting in the way of being the best version of self possible. It is important to me to collaborate with each client to develop focus points in our work and I look for strengths and resources in my clients. I am trained in EMDR and have extensive experience supporting individuals, couples, families, as well as first responders work through trauma and PTSD, occupational stress injury, addictions, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, disordered eating, and mood disorders.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 30 years of experience providing counselling services to individuals (all ages), couples, families and first responders. I offer respectful, collaborative, holistic, compassionate and goal focused counselling in a safe and supportive environment. I offer a broad spectrum of services ranging from brief solution focused support to intensive psychotherapeutic support, including EMDR. I believe in the value of working collaboratively with my clients, and I have a deep respect and appreciation for diversity.

I am currently moving my practice from Victoria to Parksville. I am a psychologist/counsellor practicing for over 30 years in Alta&BC. My major area of expertise is assistance with trauma related issues. I am trained in EMDR, EFT, and other therapy techniques. I also provide supportive counselling for the critically ill, and dying patients. Services are provided in person and online. I can also see clients in their home or in hospital in the mid-island region. My background also includes working with childhood abuse, addictions, navigating difficult relationships, clarifying goals and actions, and working with suicidal individuals.

Life is challenging and we all experience difficulties coping at times. Growth often comes from crises and the taxing periods of our lives. When our resilience is overwhelmed by our life circumstances, we can feel lost and doubt ourselves. Our emotions tell us if we are living true to our needs and values...or not. Experiences can lead to healing and growth. My speciality, Soul Work is an investment that leads to a richly authentic life experience. I am dedicated to helping you navigate the difficult times and understand your journey. Together we will help you regain holistic health in a safe, confidential space.

Whether you think you had a 'normal' childhood or know the dysfunction you experienced, we are all wounded by not 'good enough' parenting and thus, develop coping mechanisms which do not always serve us. These adaptations result in depression, addictions, and a feeling of 'stuckness' or 'blah.' I help clients see these adaptations and underlying falsities that many of us continue to live by. As we work, meaningful insights occur and hope returns. You will gain better control of situations and learn to make more meaningful decisions in your life.

However much we may seek stability, life is a series of interconnected transitions. Sometimes we face complex changes that seem unworkable and challenges that appear impossible. Learning how to deal with the ongoing changes of our lives promotes personal growth and deepens our sense of pupose and fulfillment. With tools and support you can navigate these changes and establish a sense of safety and stability with a deeper, even more fulfilling sense of personal wholeness. Together, we can activate the internal resources that will help you to move forward with confidence. You will know when this therapy is successful.

In Person & Online. I help people overcome depression, anxiety, grief, and childhood trauma using my many years of experience. I welcome teens, couples, women in pregnancy, and new parents. Manage life transitions and start living your life in line with your own values and beliefs. Together we will create a safe relationship to explore looking at your life in a new way. I am always open to changing the course of therapy if it doesn’t work for you. I use empathy, relationship, insight, and unconditional positive regard as the foundation for our work together.

You may not know where to begin. You may not sure if I could help you with what's going on in your life. What happens after that if you share with your very personal story? Whatever challenges you are currently facing, unless you talk about it, you'll never know what's possible. At wherever the state you are in, come as you are. Your story needs to be told, by you. In counselling, you can learn to feel less pain, gain more clarity, and live in the present moment.

My approach to clients is always strength based, as I believe that every individual has unique strengths that can serve as a foundation for their personal growth. My style is to be warm, open, and nonjudgmental. There are many modes of therapy. I am not limited to, but use cognitive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness based cognitive therapy and motivational interviewing.

I am an adult/child/youth and family therapist and clinical consultant in private practice. As well as being a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), I am a Registered Art Therapist (ATR and BCATR), a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), and a certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S). I celebrate 45+ years experience as a counsellor psychotherapist and 35 years teaching internationally the therapeutic methods I have developed called Holistic Expressive Therapy. For 34 years, I have taught courses at the Justice Institute of British Columbia where a certificate on my approach to therapy is offered.

Perhaps you are experiencing a significant transition in your life, wanting to explore your identity, are feeling the influence of anxiety or depression, or are wanting to heal from traumatic experiences you have had. Whatever the life challenge that you are experiencing, I am committed to working collaboratively with you to access your strengths, uncover your preferred vision for living, and create the change that you are seeking.

I am trained to work with individuals, couples and families, and will provide support and encouragement to achieve breakthrough for emotional and relational concerns. I also support parents to enhance skills and find greater satisfaction in raising their children. I have over twenty-five years in the counselling field and can provide a supportive, caring space for clients to share their concerns, learn effective coping strategies, begin recovery and reconnect with life.

I work primarily with women who are dealing with grief, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges & life transitions. I support clients to access their inner strength, personal goals, and inner wisdom. My approach to counselling is deeply rooted in compassion & integrity, blending each persons individual belief system with their unique history & life experience. The counselling I offer is both gentle & practical where together we can explore your unique emotional, physical, intellectual, & spiritual values in sacred space.

Accepting new Clients. 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.