Telus | LifeWorks Therapists in Mill Bay, BC

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.

I offer virtual and in-person therapy for a specific range of individual and couple needs. This includes affair recovery, healthy boundaries, better communication, reconnection, anger management, separation and divorce, addictions, ADHD and anxiety. My approach includes new ways of communicating to get past marital blocks and restore intimacy. With individuals, I offer Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a new way of putting your challenges in context and skills for handling painful feelings and thoughts so you can be happier and more successful in any area of life. Also DSM-5 diagnosis for a mental health condition if needed.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety or depression, navigating change, experiencing grief and loss, or coping with the general stress of life, I offer a warm and non-judgmental space to work through your challenges and identify the strengths that will carry you through. This is a space where you are free to be yourself – flaws and all. I believe you are the expert in your experience and I'm here to offer insights, share tools, and gently challenge you as you heal and grow.

My ideal client is struggling with stress, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias or depression. They may have someone in their life who creates a lot of drama for everyone. They want to find more peace, satisfaction and happiness in their lives. Their goal is to learn how to deal with lives that are too busy and overwhelming, to stop worrying, to be less perfectionistic and irritable, to be more assertive, to find joy in life, or to decide on a career or a move. They want tools for managing anxiety and depression so that they don't have to stay stuck. They want relationship tools.

We are a team of clinicians that are trained to work with students, individuals, couples and families. That excel at helping you expand your emotional tolerance, reactions & communication skills. Too many of us suffer in silence with anxiety, low self-esteem, unprocessed trauma and anger. You are not alone and we are here to encourage you to let those experiences be felt in a safe & non-judgmental environment. We know how hard it can be for most people to do therapy & our goal is to make it engaging, insightful & rewarding. To be vulnerable means not having our deepest feelings and secrets shot down. We use an integrative approach.

I have a warm and compassionate approach in treating my clients and believe that client-therapist alliance based on trust is an integral part of therapy. I provide a safe non-judgmental space to help my clients explore their thoughts and feelings. I recognize vulnerability and focus on overcoming mental health challenges through a collaborative process using an empathetic approach. I am registered with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Certified Coach Practitioner with more than 8 years in coaching individuals, couples and groups.I hold three Masters Degrees with most recent one in Counselling Psychology.

Addiction is a complex and challenging battle, but it's important to remember that recovery is not only possible but within reach for everyone. I firmly believe that every person deserves a chance to rewrite their story, and that's why I am passionate about providing comprehensive and personalized counseling to support individuals in their recovery process. Through a combination of evidence-based approaches, compassionate support, and a client-centered focus, I empower my clients to navigate the obstacles on their path to recovery.

We all deserve to live life that is fulfilling and meaningful to us. Our life experiences shape how we think and feel. When dealing with challenges we can feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or feel a loss of purpose or spiritual connection. We may feel we are in a crisis, feeling hopeless and alone. Counselling can help clients who wish to gain insight into their lives, relationships or jobs, who wish to make a change, or process past trauma. I have 5 years experience as a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Are you seeking help from someone who is passionate about animals and nature? Do you need to get outside more and practice mindfulness more often? Do you need to set some goals and practice strategies to help you receive success? Do you believe in following your dreams? Do you think animals can help you heal? Do you need help calming your body and mind? If any of these things resonate with you, I may be the Counsellor that can help you reach your health goals.

Is your child facing challenges, leaving you in search of solutions? Together, we can uncover ways to ease their struggles and equip both them and you with the tools needed to move forward. Whether it's managing anxiety, addressing self-esteem issues, or dealing with anger outbursts, it's essential to remember that every behaviour serves a purpose. By exploring the underlying reasons behind your child's actions, we can collaborate to reduce their distress and foster growth. My mission is to empower children and youth to navigate life's challenges effectively, fostering confidence and self-trust along the way.

Trouble sleeping? You're not alone, and sleep therapy is considered the best first-line treatment for chronic sleep problems like insomnia by organizations like the American College of Family Practice and the Academy of Sleep Medicine. I offer virtual counselling and therapy services anywhere in British Columbia and Ontario via secure online video chat. With over a decade of experience as a social worker and therapist, I can help you reestablish a healthier, less stressed relationship with sleep and cultivate gentle, effective ways to manage and cope with everyday stresses or complex mental health issues.

Do you feel like you are unable to calm? Do you feel anxious and judged by others? Do you feel restless, irritable, and stuck in "on" mode in this ready-to-react mode? Do you have persistent negative thinking, extreme emotion fluctuations, repeating the same actions and patterns? Do you feel stuck and unable to lift your mood? These are among some of the many symptoms of trauma. Trauma changes the nervous system and the ability to regulate our nervous system is directly correlated with our mental health. CBT, DBT, and Somatic therapy can help heal the nervous system, by processing and releasing trauma stored in the body.

For over 24 years, Dominika has provided behavior treatment to children, teens, and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, or other developmental disabilities. Currently, Dominika’s focus lies in guiding teens and young adults through their major life transitions, and helping them navigate their peer and family relations, academic pursuits, career goals and existential challenges. In addition, Dominika provides support to individuals and families dealing with depression, grief, immigration issues and existential crises. She utilizes her clinical experience to provide solution-focused treatment.

I'm most passionate about guiding clients through relationship issues, whether it be relationships with others, the world, or life purpose: Having repetitive issues come up with your partner, family, friends, or any other relationships; Difficulty breaking patterns in relationships; Feeling alone or abandoned by others; Having difficulty being close to others or being overwhelmed in relationships; Heavy or uncontrollable emotions, such as anger and fear that arise in your relationships with family, partners or colleagues.

You aren't feeling quite like yourself. Are you overwhelmed, anxious or sad? Perhaps you are going through a transition (motherhood, an international move, loss of a loved one, new job or relationship struggles)? Do you feel you aren't reaching your full potential in your life or relationships? Maybe you struggle with low self esteem? Are you feeling stuck, afraid or alone and feel you need support to make the changes necessary for better health and wellness?

I am a good listener who will encourage you to reflect on what works for you, and which strategies you have tried in the past that have both worked well, or were unsuccessful. I will challenge you in good ways while delivering unconditional acceptance of your preferences and coping strategies. I will encourage you to grow, adapt, and face life’s challenges, losses, and life transitions. I work with many diverse issues relating to mental health and wellness. I also have experience with a vast range of clients from ages 4-76 years and multicultural backgrounds. I am a holistic counsellor and I use a strength based approach to psychotherapy and counselling. I am skilled cognitive therapist, and I enjoy talk therapy using client centred approaches to psychotherapy. I will hold a solution-focused, results based approach with you. There is no problem too big - or, that can’t be better managed. I work with children, teens, and adults. My (very) well behaved and highly trained dog, may be present at sessions. I now have room for new clients. I can also be reached at: Sandralee.macdonald63@gmail.com Looking forward to meeting you. I am ethical, experienced, confidential, and trustworthy.

The transitional period of mid-life can be a challenging time for many women. We are forced to confront our own mortality which can leave us considering what needs to change. One of the most common struggles women in mid-life face is the sense of stagnation in their lives. Many women struggle with feeling invisible as they age and as their bodies change. The pressure to conform to societal expectations can be overwhelming, and many women feel trapped in cycles of dysfunction in different areas of their lives, including marriage, friendships, career, family, and society.

I believe counselling can be a space where we can get to know our authentic selves, where many parts of ourselves can be explored and we can start to resist the boxes that may be confining us. I view counselling as a collaborative process and recognize each person’s natural ability to gravitate toward change at their own pace. The genuine connection of a counselling relationship in a safe enough and inclusive environment is often at the root of healing.