Therapists in British Columbia

My work is relational, emotion-focused, and experiential. Relational means establishing a unique and real connection with people — i.e. not being a “blank slate” therapist. Emotion-focused means helping people pay attention to old emotional patterns that may no longer be serving them. Experiential means going beyond just talking about patterns. It means offering actual in-session experiences of doing things a different way — working together to form new and preferred patterns that are conducive to one’s therapy goal(s).

Our team aims to help you create and discover a life worth living for and have fulfilling relationships with yourself and with others. Living from a place of fear/anger/resentment right now might be impacting how you see the world every single day. It may also affect your relationships with your family members, partners, and/or children (young and adults), friends, even coworkers, and you need help to make sense of it all. Every day, you may experience conflict, lack of connection, fear of something, or other challenges that gets in the way of you finding that sense of belonging and ownership over your life.

If you hope to overcome a dreadful anxiety, come out of a hopeless depression, build inner self-confidence, learn how to stand up for yourself, or just try to get a grip on life today; together we can achieve it. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Counselling, 7 years experience, and a genuine compassion for people, I sincerely create an encouraging and safe space where we will find what your next step looks like and provide you with the correct tools and techniques to ultimately attain what brought you to seek counselling.

Whether you need support through a significant life event, you're having unkind thoughts about yourself or others and want to work through them, or you are just generally feeling unwell and want to regain balance – therapy allows someone to walk with you on that journey. You may have days where you feel low, nervous, unmotivated, or lost. Those can get in the way of your enjoyment, your relationships, or you just being at your best. I work with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds, placing intentional focus on folks who identify within the IBPOC, queer, gay/lesbian, trans, and other underserved communities.

Have you felt as if life runs on repeat? You are trying and doing your best, but it feels as if nothing is changing or working. Your emotional battery is running low, and things you once found joy in now feel distant. You hear all about the “should,” the “could,” and, of course, the “don’ts.” It all seems to feel daunting, and you’re unsure where to begin. At As You Are Counselling (AYOUA), we understand. AYOUA was created for individuals who do not fit into a certain mold determined by society, culture, or expectation.

Do you struggle with your emotions? Do they lead you to engage in behaviours that you regret? Are you struggling with interpersonal conflicts, substance use, self harm, or mental health concerns? I can help you achieve your goals and to go from surviving to thriving. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. With having worked in both private and public mental health settings, I've been able to work with people struggling with addiction, depression, intense emotions, life transitions, self-harm, stress/anxiety, suicidal ideation, trauma/PTSD, and many others.

I'm Kevin, a social worker & clinical counsellor (RSW/RCC), specializing in play therapy for kids and trauma-healing approaches for adults (e.g., EMDR), particularly within the LGBTQ2S+ community. We go beyond talk therapy, using interactive methods (e.g., LEGO) and a relationship-based approach. I bring my personal experience of growing up queer into my practice, creating a space where survivors of systemic issues of all ages—be it racism, homophobia, colonization, or ableism—can find understanding, support, and a path to self-acceptance.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Counselling Supervisor. My practice is guided by extensive experience working with people coming from various socioeconomic backgrounds as well as many years of serving the most vulnerable communities in Vancouver’s DTES. While my approach is integrative of modern theories and techniques, it heavily relies on Psychodynamic theories and practice. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is a highly individualized treatment whose goal is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptom. It relies on the fact that our personalities are uniquely shaped by several developmental stages.

Although you’re surrounded by familiar faces, there’s an underlying feeling of loneliness and isolation that seems to follow you wherever you go. You long for deeper connection in your relationships, but you just can’t seem to find the right people or circles where you feel at ease. As someone who has many sides to their self, it constantly feels like you have to sacrifice parts of your identity to fit in. You’re finding it harder to enjoy the activities you once did and you’re overcome with exhaustion or restlessness as you try to get through your day. No matter how hard you try, it feels like there’s something missing.

There is a path forward to a fulfilling and happy future for everyone. Working together, I can support you in cultivating compassion for yourself and others, taking pride in who you are, navigating relationships and moving through the difficulties that arise in life. As a queer trans person, I use an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, intersectional framework, supporting the queer, trans, kink, and non-monogamous communities in unpacking identity, sex and relationship issues, emotional dysregulation, trauma, depression, anxiety and addiction. I offer gender-affirming hormone and top and gonadectomy surgical readiness assessments.

Life can be immensely challenging, and asking for help can be a battle in and of itself. Hurt afflicts us all, and many of us build barriers to protect ourselves against it. There may come a time, however, when these barriers are so strong that we become isolated even from the beautiful things. Numbness, anger, anxiety, and depression are ways that our bodies communicate with us, carrying the message that it is time to speak to the parts of ourselves we locked away.

In a confidential & supportive environment I improve peoples quality of life by helping them feel better & meet their goals. We can do this in an office, your house or any place you feel safe in. I also do web based counselling though Zoom for those outside of Kamloops or in other remote locations. I have found that with the right health information, be it with educational media, engaging presentations or confidential & therapeutic individual sessions, that people will be comfortable to move toward health, wellness & happiness.

Living in the present, and working towards a fulfilling, and healthy future is our focus. You are the expert on ‘you’. I am a visitor on a tour of your life with you as the guide. While I specialize in addiction, anxiety, and depression, I am able to work with you on any subject, and challenge you are facing. I focus on the Existential Method of therapy. Finding meaning, and purpose in your life is our goal. We will create a path towards realizing yours. Life in the present, while looking forward can be the key to success.

You deserve and need more connection and joy in your primary relationship. You want better communication so you can stop having the same arguments over and over again. All relationships have times when connection is easy, passion is alive, and love abounds, but also times when trust is broken, regrettable incidents linger, and friendship is barely possible. I help couples and also individuals who are struggling to thrive in relationships. Like a growing garden, relationships need nurturing and focused attention. I want to share new ideas, skills, and tools to enhance your relationship to increase your quality of life.

Counseling is, thankfully, no longer considered something reserved for individuals with severe mental health concerns. Today we are increasingly comfortable admitting many would benefit from dedicated space where our personal concerns, challenges, and goals can be carefully tended to. My clients learn quickly that therapy is about dialogue and consistent attention to their sadness, depression, anxiety, worries, and difficulties in different spheres of their lives (relationships, parenting, work, money, environment, to name a few). Clients often seek a deeper sense of purpose and engagement, therapy can help achieve this.

My purpose is to assist you in facing and processing traumatic / adverse life experiences that could have resulted in anxiety, depression, PTSD, addictions, anger issues, etc. Together, we will explore and unravel the nature and roots of what prevents you from living a happier life. Despite the possible challenges that may arise on this way, please know that you have a huge potential to live your life based on what is right with you. As a clinician, I am committed to do to the best of my abilities for facilitating this process and helping you reach your goals.

I have been working in the field of mental health since 1990 and I am deeply committed to supporting people to heal, grow, explore who they are, and live their best life. I offer both traditional 'talk' therapies alongside expressive arts therapy and know from personal experience how well these two approaches work to help people improve their mood, thoughts, sense of self, and quality of life, as well as helping them to recover from trauma, addictions, and eating disorders.

Are you struggling with life or facing a difficult challenge? Do you have an inner critic who is just tearing you down? As your psychotherapist, I can help you eliminate those patterns or parts that have been impeding your progress, stopping you from having the life you want, you deserve. Together in a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental space you can:

Are you feeling stuck? Is your life out of balance? Would you like to experience more joy, passion, and productivity? In a friendly, nurturing environment, I will guide you on a journey of self-discovery where you can explore what matters most. Whatever is blocking your potential - fear of failure, fear of missing out, sexual concerns, or just plain stressful living - I will collaboratively engage you in establishing meaningful goals for healing. Using creative and practical strategies, I will help you learn to successfully navigate the ups and downs of life so you can create more balance and connection.