Online Counselling for British Columbia

I am a cis woman, POC, immigrant and single mother. My family immigrated to Malaysia, Singapore and the UK from my ancestral homeland of India. I was born in London and emigrated from the UK to Vancouver, Canada as a child. My personal belief system is rooted in Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Since 2016, I have been supporting clients in person and virtually as a Holistic Therapist.

Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), in our tender years, whether they were caused by abuse, neglect or chronic parental mis-attunement are not only impediments to thriving in one's life, they increase the risk of serious physical disease in later life. Whatever hurts inside is simply asking to be known and loved. I believe that the difficulties and traumas of life need never define us as human beings. Rather, I believe that when safety, skillful caring and authentic connection are finally available for us, these very traumas can become the doors through which we discover our own unique gifts, talents and power as individuals.

I have been in private counselling practice for 15 years, and in wellness, personal development and the media for 25 years. My practice draws self-referring, high-functioning adults/couples with addiction, phobia, anxiety, depression and attachment disorders affecting their lives beyond their historical, current or perceived ability of self-control. In couples, I usually begin individually to create safety and self-awareness, then back together towards clear self-advocacy, expression and to build trustful communication. EMDR in the couple context can clear a lot of old trauma and wounded pattern-associations that mire us in destructive relational dynamics.

You are a deep thinker, a psychology nerd and a truth seeker. You are seeking what it means to be living a meaningful life. Finding your soul's purpose is one of your driving principles in life. Perhaps you identify with an anarchist spirit that is determined to design your life and the structure of your relationships for freedom. You are motivated by the fear of leaving this earth, not having lived your life to your fullest, completely governed by unconscious drives, or not having examined your suffering. Perhaps you can no longer bear not speaking your truth and living your most authentic expressions of self.

Imagine feeling it in your bones that change is possible. How you relate to yourself, others, and life - can change. I want to work with people who are courageous and fearful and unsure. When we have limiting stories of ourselves it can be helpful to have someone else, a professional, hear us - see us- and want to show another way. I will not look away from your shadow, and I do not fear trauma or big emotions. You are so much more than what you've done, your body, and your worst thoughts.

Shelley Ugyan, RRC, is an acclaimed author, speaker and has over 15 years experience in mental and holistic health. Her evidence based tools including Cognitive Behavioural reconditioning as well as psychodynamic, relational and hypnosis approaches set you on a path to direct healing, starting immediately after the first 90 minute session. Her approach is genuine, empowering and powerful. Healing is probable, and happens as a result of conscious daily actions and unconscious dynamics that shift as a result of this process. Shelley loves to work with individuals who are ready and willing to change their thinking to heal for life.

Hurting people hurt people, but they also tend to hurt themselves in the long run. The need for an unbiased and non-judgemental person to talk to can serve to provide a sense of relief from the stress you may be facing in the moment. I believe that is what we may need in our lives, and I am able to serve you in this area. For whatever your needs may be, I will tailor the treatment plan accordingly and strive to find the best approach to meet them.

My intention is to bear witness to your journey. I am a client centered therapist formally trained in a trauma-informed and attachment informed practice. I engage in different modalities to meet the needs of the client. I am formally trained in evidence based interventions to support the whole self.

I specialize in trauma and relationships. Adult childhood/adulthood trauma, self esteem, confidence and codependency. I also work with couples and families around unresolved attachment, infidelity, sexuality and unconscious toxicity. Other areas of focus: anxiety, depression, procrastination and loss of motivation. I am a registered clinical counsellor RCC, available in person and online. I look forward to working with you to unblock healing, resiliency and health. Let's connect and say "enough" to intense chaos and debilitating struggles. Coverage accepted: private, ICBC, Medavie Blue Cross, Canada Life, Crime Victims Program

If you need help with connection, communication, emotional regulation and overcoming narcissistic influences let's talk. With over 25 years experience as clinical counsellor I focus on what works to help you understand yourself and train the skills to improve your life. I'm warm, present, active and empathetic. In a short time with me individuals and couples experience breakthroughs. I provide direct guidance toward greater clarity, healthy boundaries, focus and wisdom by addressing life skills you haven't mastered. Internet rabbit holes won't facilitate change, but I will. You really don't have to do this alone anymore.

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.

"There are gifts and transformations embedded within trauma." My counselling approach is holistic and relationally based with a focus on a somatic (body) awareness to bring congruency between the mind and body. Many of our wounds occurred within our most trusted relationships causing us to have difficulties getting close to loved ones. Also, we become disconnected from ourselves when we experience trauma or disruptions in relationships. The good news is, with the right support, everyone has an inner capacity to heal and transform from their struggles.

Imagine what it would be like to be open & present to each moment. As a trauma-informed therapeutic counsellor & mindfulness educator with experience in a variety of modalities such as Mindfulness-based skills and Somatic Experiencing®, our work together can be from a holistic perspective to help you embody the qualities and values you wish to embody. In your sessions we will work collaboratively as you explore your inner world and interpersonal dynamics to help you connect with you!

Do strong emotions and memories impact how you live? Unresolved trauma and chronic stress can create negative thoughts and feelings and negatively impact our overall well-being. We may experience anxiety/depression, addiction, chronic stress, etc. Coping mechanisms may become ineffective or even harmful over time. Are you new to therapy - or have been to therapy before - call to discuss how trauma therapy may help.

I guide people to return to their fierce intelligence for healing, for thriving. You can free your heart no matter what atrocity you’ve endured. Whether it’s trauma that’s racialized, class-based, familial, intergenerational, transphobic, religious, and ableist, there is medicine within you that wants to heal you. Your spirit (wholeness) is designed to reclaim your life force. Your life force is exactly the gift our world needs to come back into balance. I care about you coming into your rightful power so that you can live in belonging and grow loving connections.

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.

I'm an empathetic, educational, empowering & inclusive counsellor who is dedicated to assisting individuals from diverse backgrounds on their unique journeys. I work with all communities, including the lgtbqias2+, BIPOC, Asian, & male communities, ensuring a safe & understanding environment where clients can freely explore the rich tapestry of the human experience. Embracing a holistic approach, I address crucial aspects such as mental health, well-being, relationships, sexuality, identity, & trauma. Together, we will navigate life's intricate challenges. :)

I work with clients seeking guidance in building self-esteem and self-confidence, workplace stress, relationship problems, racial identity and issues, life transitions and family-related struggles. I also provide tools to overcome anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, family and relational trauma. Through authentic attunement, you can expect to feel seen and embraced for who you are in order to take the necessary steps towards positive change. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them face their shadows in order to uncover opportunities for inner growth and expansion.

My style of coaching is client-led, active, adventurous, collaborative, and compassionately challenging. Using specialised, bottom-up and top-down approaches to leverage brain design, functionality, and neuroplasticity, sessions go above and beyond the standard formulaic coaching model to engage the subconscious mind, deepen transformation, foster rapid results, and facilitate positive long-term change in neural architecture.