Optima Therapists in Nanaimo, BC

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck? Are you looking for a change? Have you noticed a pattern in your relationships? By reconnecting to and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, you will be able to create the healthy, passionate and successful relationships you crave. It doesn't matter whether you are single, married, separated, newly divorced or in between. If it feels like there is something that isn't working in your relationships, whether personal, professional or with yourself, drop me a line or give me a call. You have nothing to lose.

Welcome to Strive Counselling; a clinic and space to help you find your direction and reach your potential. If you're here reading this blurb, you're probably interested in seeking help for yourself, or a loved on. At Strive, our goal is to build strong relationships with our clients that rests on the foundation of trust. With trust - regardless of your issue of concern - we can help you achieve the wellness that you're hoping for. With this strong foundation, whether we continue with a solution-focused lens, emotional processing perspective, or somatic-based work, we at Strive can help you create meaningful change in your life.

I help clients seek balance and understanding in their lives. I specialize in working with individual adults that are struggling with anxiety, anger management, communication skills, grief, loss, self-esteem, nutrition, trauma and relationships.

Do you struggle with understanding your behaviours or feelings, relating to people or your work, or to move forward in creating the life you want? Maybe you are tired, disconnected, hopeless, or uncertain of where to go next by the pull of your committments and responsibilites? Perhaps there is a bigger more meaningful way to experience life? Now more than ever, people are feeling overwhelmed and overcome by the struggle to deepen their relationships, reduce stress and shift from stagnating trauma. Moving from a dull, uninspired state of being into a positive, hopeful and fun future does not have to be a painstaking experience.

Two Spirit, Queer, and Trans clients and allies welcome! I am a settler living on the territory of the K'ómoks First Nation and I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Wildwood Therapy, a feminist mental health collective. I offer Feminist Therapy to support relationships of all structures and kinds, PTSD and complex trauma, anxiety & depression, parenting, identity, grief, self-esteem, addiction, and much more. If we work together, I can help you explore your mind-body connection, build your sense of confidence, and learn how to process emotions authentically.

Finding the right counselor to support you is incredibly important. Would you like to live confidently as your true self and have healthier, more authentic relationships? Would you like to learn more about building resiliency? Are you struggling to feel a sense of connection to yourself and others? Are you finding it difficult to communicate in your relationships? Do you suffer from feelings of anxiety or depression? Whatever your circumstances, counselling can be the first step in an empowering journey of transformational change. The most important relationship you have in life is the one you have with yourself.

Welcome- I am so glad you are here! Throughout our lives, we inevitably face periods of struggle, challenge, and adversity. The pressures of anxiety, the drain from repetitive behaviours, the pain of relationship issues, or the emptiness brought on by depression can make it seem hard to craft the life we aspire to. Yet, I hold a firm belief in your innate ability to overcome these trials, whether they are longstanding or newly felt. In working together, my aim is to form a unique connection with you: one where you can truly be yourself, focusing on where you’ve been, where you are today, and where you hope to be in the future.

Hello and thanks for visiting my profile! You may be dealing with relationships, employment, family, or working through challenging thoughts, emotions and behaviours related to the past, present and future. You may be experiencing anxiety, frustration, numbness, stress, self-esteem issues, or struggling to get things done at home, work, or postsecondary school. My practice is guided by compassion, openness and grounding while supporting you on your healing journey.

I use a holistic approach to counseling that incorporates the many components of a person's life such as the emotional, physical, social, cultural, spiritual, and occupational. I work with young adults, adults, seniors, and elders. I use Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Model, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Stages of Change, Supportive Counselling, and Systems Theory. Areas of Practice include Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Addictions, Life Transitions, Job Loss, Work Related Issues, Return to Work, Communication, Relationship Differences, Stress Management, Personal Growth, and Sexuality and Coming Out Issues.

I am pleased to offer solution-based, action-oriented counselling to individuals, couples, and groups needing assistance with everyday problems. I am especially effective with those who wish to learn skills & strategies that will allow them to make healthy, sustainable changes. I tailor my therapeutic approach to suit your needs, and create a comfort zone where you can come home to your authentic self and the potential within. In other words, I help you get out of your own way! I also bring over 30 years of sports coaching experience to my practice as a psychologist in Victoria BC.

Life never seems to follow the map we drew out exactly how we would like. Despite the plans we create, human nature is to engage in relationships, which are almost always unpredictable and can cause conflict and challenges. My goal is to help support you while you process, navigate, and explore the unexpected in life in a safe space. My approach to counselling is to create a warm, understanding, client-centred environment to support you with compassion, and empathy, and view your situation holistically.

I have 22 years of experience helping people worldwide with their various life challenges such as anxiety, depression, anger issues, etc. I view therapy as an opportunity for personal growth, not just as a means of problem-solving. Many of our issues in the present stem from messages, both explicit or implied, that we learned during childhood to protect ourselves from criticism or judgement by parents, society or peer. Through therapy, we will work together to identify and uproot these messages that are holding us back. Too often these ‘messages’ turn into beliefs that lead to unconstructive defence mechanisms and coping strategies.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master's Degree in Counselling, with over 30 years of experience as a social worker serving clients from all cultural backgrounds. In additions, I am an approved service provider for the Crime Victim Assistance program and ICBC clients. For the past 20 years, I have been working as a settlement counsellor and parent educator helping immigrants, refugees, and international students who are adjusting to life in Canada. I worked at The Canadian Red Cross and managed a team of volunteers that provided emotional support to parents and caregivers dealing with critically ill children.

Practice currently FULL - contact me for referrals... We all have our own unique realties and it is my passion to assist you in uncovering unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, while working through uncomfortable emotions to allow for a more enjoyable and fulfilling life. ​Whether you or a loved one are dealing with or affected by addiction, looking to explore a past hurt, navigating a loss, or are in a transitional period of your life - you’ve come to the right place. ​

Struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, or brain fog? As a therapist who's also navigated chronic illness, I know what it’s like to feel like you’re always pushing past your limits to get through the day. To feel like your body aches, your brain feels foggy, and the life you long to have seems out of reach. If you’ve been trying to deal with these issues on your own for a while, it might be time to bring in reinforcements. That's why I specialize in teaching skills and providing support to anyone, anywhere with online therapy. You can book in anytime you need and get supported by someone who gets it and specializes in it.