Therapists in Duncan, BC

Hello! I am Sarah and I live and work on the homelands of the Hul’qumi’num People. I am a trauma therapist and primarily use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and EMDR to work with individuals on their path to a healthy and integrated life. After working in physical and mental health professions for more than 15 years, I shifted to private practice mental health counselling as a means of helping clients enhance their resilience and coping skills.  I aim to ensure a non-judgemental environment and welcome all clients, offering a safe place to tell your story. You are not alone.

My passion is to work with children and families to support them in having a better connection with each other and the environment they live in. I provide a fun, safe place for children to learn about their feelings, how their bodies work and how they can get the support they need. This can look like learning strategies they can use on their own, or with their parents support and having the language to express what they are feeling. Parenting is the most amazing and rewarding experience, yet it can also the most challenging. I provide parents with tools to be present, calm and understanding of what their child may need.

I offer holistic, trauma informed, person-centered counselling services to children, youth, young adults, adults, parents and expectant parents (pregnancy, postpartum). My approach considers the essential role of the nervous system and is grounded in attachment theory, neuroscience, mindfulness, narrative therapy, emotion focused therapy, CBT, DBT, expressive arts and play therapy. I have over 20 years experience working with individuals and families in community based child and family services programs and 12 years as a counsellor, where I have worked for Child and Youth Mental Health and in private practice.

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.

Chloe McKinley, a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) and behavioural consultant, offers a unique therapeutic approach for individuals and families seeking counselling support. Chloe specializes in addressing the psychological needs of children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, embracing cultural and gender diverse LGBTQ2 communities. She is one of the few counsellors on Vancouver Island to offer both clinical counselling and behavioural consultation. Chloe also serves the neuro-diverse community as part of the multidisciplinary team known as Cowichan Autism Team Services (CATS). CATS is accepting new referrals.

We all go through different problems, experience different life stressors or trauma, and at times everyone needs someone to just listen. Dakova Health has trained and experienced psychologists and counsellors that specialize in different areas of practice to meet your specific needs.

Human beings are complicated-so often we attempt to reach out to others using words to express our thoughts, our emotions, and our behaviours. With children/youth, we see additional communication barriers because of fewer words and limited life experiences. Being part of a family system should bring safety and emotional support but sometimes this is not possible without help. My work is to enable us to become partners in the process of change- discovering strengths, new awareness and building on this. Imagine my holding up a mirror for you, so that with each session, you are able to discover and appreciate more of who you truly are.

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.

Welcome! We all love what we do and are here to help you find health, balance and peace. Vancouver Island Therapy is a full service, multi—disciplinary health clinic focused on providing multiple healing services to help you and your family. Located in Nanaimo, BC, we service many communities including; Port Alberni, Qualicum, Parksville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan to Victoria. Diverse, professional and experienced, our practitioners bring a broad range of experience into their practice with clients. We are here to help emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Each of us has decades of experience, a unique approach

I help those who have addiction issues, general mental health problems, and relationship problems. The needs that I seek to help them with are organizing their thoughts, combatting negative thought patterns, and making a plan of action for practical ways that will help their situation. They are ultimately seeking peace because that is a state of mind where one can feel the most free.

At Central Island Counselling, our clients will immediately find an advocate with compassion, acceptance and expertise. We provide the highest standard of private clinical counselling services to adults, youth, children and families in the Nanaimo area and beyond. We value privacy, professionalism and creativity in care. Our mission is to safely guide each client while they rediscover their internal resources. You are not alone and there is a path forward to healing.

Are you feeling overcome with stress, anxiety and depressive feelings? Do you find yourself suffering from negative self-talk that contributes to a lack of self-esteem and confidence? Are you lonely, even with people all around you? Do you long to connect with meaningful relationships? Do you find yourself looking for escapes with addictive processes? If this sounds like you, I would love to help you connect to your authentic self by overcoming the negative lens that has been built throughout your life by what others have said, feelings of disapproval, traumatic experiences, societal and cultural conditioning.

I have a long history of social and community engagement, which are the foundations in my clinical practice. My involvement with social work has highlighted the gaps in mental health support and interventions for individuals, children, youth, young adults and families.

When working with you, my main goal is to be supportive and empower you to cultivate your inner strength and feel an increasing sense of success in your daily life. ​I believe that everyone has inherent strengths, yet sometimes, these strengths are not fully actualized as they may be impeded by negative life experiences, such as grief and trauma. My areas of focus include mental health assessments of children, teens, and adults, and counselling with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.