Therapists in V5L
My practice is tailored to work with individuals that have experienced and continue to experience trauma in their lives and want to have a safe place to process it and heal from it. My practice focuses on supporting individuals that are survivors of trauma, complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, and somatic responses to trauma—which can include anxiety and low mood. We will explore together how your body, your mind, and your spirit have adapted to cope with past and present traumas and challenges, and how these coping mechanisms have helped you survive. We will also learn new healthy ways to cope and create safety around you.
My practice is tailored to work with individuals that have experienced and continue to experience trauma in their lives and want to have a safe place to process it and heal from it. My practice focuses on supporting individuals that are survivors of trauma, complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, and somatic responses to trauma—which can include anxiety and low mood. We will explore together how your body, your mind, and your spirit have adapted to cope with past and present traumas and challenges, and how these coping mechanisms have helped you survive. We will also learn new healthy ways to cope and create safety around you.
I support those who are seeking not only to better understand their underlying patterns but also to actively improve their quality of life with a safe, supportive and collaborative counselling relationship. Issues that I help with include healing from traumatic loss, recovering from the effects of childhood trauma, relationship abuse, and other difficult life events. I also work extensively with issues around emotional regulation, boundary setting, anxiety, depression and substance misuse. Even when your struggles originate from severe adversity and trauma, you can grow, not only despite adversity, but because of it.
I support those who are seeking not only to better understand their underlying patterns but also to actively improve their quality of life with a safe, supportive and collaborative counselling relationship. Issues that I help with include healing from traumatic loss, recovering from the effects of childhood trauma, relationship abuse, and other difficult life events. I also work extensively with issues around emotional regulation, boundary setting, anxiety, depression and substance misuse. Even when your struggles originate from severe adversity and trauma, you can grow, not only despite adversity, but because of it.
I work with individuals and couples who feel stuck in patterns that are hard to shift. This might look like conflict that keeps repeating, feeling disconnected, or struggling with anxiety, stress, or substance use. Many people come in wanting to understand why this keeps happening and how to change it. Together, we slow things down, track patterns, and build safety and stability. From there, we make sense of what is underneath and support you in moving toward a more grounded, aligned way of living and relating.
I work with individuals and couples who feel stuck in patterns that are hard to shift. This might look like conflict that keeps repeating, feeling disconnected, or struggling with anxiety, stress, or substance use. Many people come in wanting to understand why this keeps happening and how to change it. Together, we slow things down, track patterns, and build safety and stability. From there, we make sense of what is underneath and support you in moving toward a more grounded, aligned way of living and relating.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.” Mark Twain
Therapy isn’t about labels or being told what to do. It’s about motivation for change and cultivating change in your life. Self awareness is essential for change as Socrates said with his “Know Thyself” quote. From self-awareness comes the awareness of choice. From the awareness of choice comes the all-important awareness of responsibility. It’s your life and, hence, your responsibility. I strive to help you in this process by getting to know you, your goals, challenges and the way you make sense of your life.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.” Mark Twain
Therapy isn’t about labels or being told what to do. It’s about motivation for change and cultivating change in your life. Self awareness is essential for change as Socrates said with his “Know Thyself” quote. From self-awareness comes the awareness of choice. From the awareness of choice comes the all-important awareness of responsibility. It’s your life and, hence, your responsibility. I strive to help you in this process by getting to know you, your goals, challenges and the way you make sense of your life.
Hi, I’m Sam (she/her). I am passionate about working with teens and adults who are navigating life transitions, exploring their identity, or who have other complex life experiences that they would like to explore.
I am someone who navigated coming out as queer as an adult. I hope to be able to cultivate a supportive, safe space for those exploring their identity and those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ no matter where you are on your journey
I have recently graduated from the MACP program at Yorkville University and am working towards both CCC and RCC designations.
Hi, I’m Sam (she/her). I am passionate about working with teens and adults who are navigating life transitions, exploring their identity, or who have other complex life experiences that they would like to explore.
I am someone who navigated coming out as queer as an adult. I hope to be able to cultivate a supportive, safe space for those exploring their identity and those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ no matter where you are on your journey
I have recently graduated from the MACP program at Yorkville University and am working towards both CCC and RCC designations.
I specialize in providing culturally-sensitive counselling services for Japanese-speaking expat women who are: experiencing feelings of isolation while living abroad; struggling with anxiety or self-doubt in cross-cultural contexts; finding it difficult to maintain boundaries while navigating cultural differences; experiencing perfectionism or impostor syndrome in work, academic, or social settings; facing challenges with parenting, education, or employment in Canada.
I specialize in providing culturally-sensitive counselling services for Japanese-speaking expat women who are: experiencing feelings of isolation while living abroad; struggling with anxiety or self-doubt in cross-cultural contexts; finding it difficult to maintain boundaries while navigating cultural differences; experiencing perfectionism or impostor syndrome in work, academic, or social settings; facing challenges with parenting, education, or employment in Canada.
All of my professional work has been rooted in advocating for others, community building, and supporting healing and growth. I have fifteen years of experience working in violence prevention, trauma counselling and restorative justice. My work with survivors offers me a trauma-informed analysis and approach that is open and non-judgmental. I provide care within an anti-oppressive, feminist, queer, and sex-positive framework. I welcome people whose lives and identities are not often recognized or valued in the mainstream. I welcome you.
All of my professional work has been rooted in advocating for others, community building, and supporting healing and growth. I have fifteen years of experience working in violence prevention, trauma counselling and restorative justice. My work with survivors offers me a trauma-informed analysis and approach that is open and non-judgmental. I provide care within an anti-oppressive, feminist, queer, and sex-positive framework. I welcome people whose lives and identities are not often recognized or valued in the mainstream. I welcome you.
Ashley Shankar Counselling & Consulting
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RCSW
2 Endorsed
Vancouver, BC V5L
Whether you are seeking support as a result of a sudden transition in your life or a longstanding issue that has just become too heavy to carry, I believe therapy can offer a unique space for healing and growth. I have extensive experience working with adults experiencing anxiety, sadness, stress, chronic pain, and trauma in both private practice and in treatment settings.
Whether you are seeking support as a result of a sudden transition in your life or a longstanding issue that has just become too heavy to carry, I believe therapy can offer a unique space for healing and growth. I have extensive experience working with adults experiencing anxiety, sadness, stress, chronic pain, and trauma in both private practice and in treatment settings.
Are you struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, or relationships? Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or "not enough"? Many individuals I work with struggle to offer themselves the same compassion they give so effortlessly to others. You might be navigating the pressure to be perfect, feel pulled toward people-pleasing at the expense of your own needs and values, or feel stuck in patterns that leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and others. With six years of experience as a classroom teacher, I bring a relational, systems-oriented lens to my work and primarily support youth (10+), adolescents, and young adults.
Are you struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, or relationships? Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or "not enough"? Many individuals I work with struggle to offer themselves the same compassion they give so effortlessly to others. You might be navigating the pressure to be perfect, feel pulled toward people-pleasing at the expense of your own needs and values, or feel stuck in patterns that leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and others. With six years of experience as a classroom teacher, I bring a relational, systems-oriented lens to my work and primarily support youth (10+), adolescents, and young adults.
I work with adults in BC who feel caught in anxiety, lack of confidence or repeating relationship patterns — and want to understand why, not just cope. My approach is depth-oriented, attachment-based, and relational. I offer therapy in both English and Farsi.
You may be someone who functions well on the outside but feels quietly exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in the same cycles. Perhaps anxiety has become your default setting, or you find yourself in relationships that feel familiar but painful. You are self-aware and ready to go deeper.
I work with adults in BC who feel caught in anxiety, lack of confidence or repeating relationship patterns — and want to understand why, not just cope. My approach is depth-oriented, attachment-based, and relational. I offer therapy in both English and Farsi.
You may be someone who functions well on the outside but feels quietly exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in the same cycles. Perhaps anxiety has become your default setting, or you find yourself in relationships that feel familiar but painful. You are self-aware and ready to go deeper.
You may be feeling emotionally exhausted, distant in your close relationships, or questioning your worth. Perhaps you’ve learned to be polite, compliant, and rarely express or suppress anger, often thinking, “I don’t want to bother anyone” or "nobody would get it." Beneath this calm exterior, there may be deep-seated anxiety, guilt of taking too much space, self-doubt, or fear of abandonment. I work with clients who want to explore and see beyond the tunnel defined by others. Many struggle with OCD and ADHD-related challenges, self-worth, people-pleasing, and feeling “not enough,” shaped by mind and body memories.
You may be feeling emotionally exhausted, distant in your close relationships, or questioning your worth. Perhaps you’ve learned to be polite, compliant, and rarely express or suppress anger, often thinking, “I don’t want to bother anyone” or "nobody would get it." Beneath this calm exterior, there may be deep-seated anxiety, guilt of taking too much space, self-doubt, or fear of abandonment. I work with clients who want to explore and see beyond the tunnel defined by others. Many struggle with OCD and ADHD-related challenges, self-worth, people-pleasing, and feeling “not enough,” shaped by mind and body memories.
I have twenty seven years experience providing counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups affected by trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, addictions, relationship difficulties, and personality style issues. I use a multimodal approach according to clients' needs, goals and preferences. The therapeutic modalities I practice include EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Therapeutic Enactment, expressive Arts, Narrative Therapy, Adlerian Psychology, CBT and DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Energy Psychology.
I have twenty seven years experience providing counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups affected by trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, addictions, relationship difficulties, and personality style issues. I use a multimodal approach according to clients' needs, goals and preferences. The therapeutic modalities I practice include EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Therapeutic Enactment, expressive Arts, Narrative Therapy, Adlerian Psychology, CBT and DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Energy Psychology.
Hi and welcome! I appreciate that it takes courage and strength to start this process. Sometimes, we need help to work through issues. You don't have to deal with your struggles, questions, grief, anxiety, depression, and all of life’s other servings alone. In a non-judgmental, confidential and safe space, shifts can begin to take place. I utilize various modalities, but always come from a person-centered, trauma-informed, and compassion focused lens. I believe in the strength and resilience in every person, and that includes you! Your story matters. You matter…and you deserve healing and happiness. CVAP approved.
Hi and welcome! I appreciate that it takes courage and strength to start this process. Sometimes, we need help to work through issues. You don't have to deal with your struggles, questions, grief, anxiety, depression, and all of life’s other servings alone. In a non-judgmental, confidential and safe space, shifts can begin to take place. I utilize various modalities, but always come from a person-centered, trauma-informed, and compassion focused lens. I believe in the strength and resilience in every person, and that includes you! Your story matters. You matter…and you deserve healing and happiness. CVAP approved.
I offer clinical supervision and counselling virtually and in person.
Clinical supervision: I love working with folks on their case conceptualization, treatment planning, and developing confidence in their practice. I bring a balance of strong clinical mental health skills with a client-led approach and anti-oppressive values.
Counselling: I work with young people, adults, and relationships/families who are navigating life's difficulties and who want support in building a toolbox for navigating their concerns. I support clients with health/mental health concerns, grief, coping, trauma, and surviving difficult times.
I offer clinical supervision and counselling virtually and in person.
Clinical supervision: I love working with folks on their case conceptualization, treatment planning, and developing confidence in their practice. I bring a balance of strong clinical mental health skills with a client-led approach and anti-oppressive values.
Counselling: I work with young people, adults, and relationships/families who are navigating life's difficulties and who want support in building a toolbox for navigating their concerns. I support clients with health/mental health concerns, grief, coping, trauma, and surviving difficult times.
My intention as a therapist is to create a safe, warm, and confidential space where you feel seen, heard, and accepted. I approach therapeutic relationships through a client-centered lens that embraces non-judgment and compassion. I accept and welcome you wherever you are in your journey, with an open mind and heart. It is my honour to travel alongside and empower you as you reconnect with your inner wisdom and resiliency, to achieve the self understanding, growth, and transformation that you, your child, or your family are seeking.
My intention as a therapist is to create a safe, warm, and confidential space where you feel seen, heard, and accepted. I approach therapeutic relationships through a client-centered lens that embraces non-judgment and compassion. I accept and welcome you wherever you are in your journey, with an open mind and heart. It is my honour to travel alongside and empower you as you reconnect with your inner wisdom and resiliency, to achieve the self understanding, growth, and transformation that you, your child, or your family are seeking.
I am intrigued by helping people navigate their own stories and build the life they want. I work with adults and youth 13+ in helping them understand themselves and the world around them a little better. I believe that counselling can bring insight and perspective that can help transform our experiences. The connection between the counsellor and client is critical in laying the groundwork to inspire positive growth.
I am intrigued by helping people navigate their own stories and build the life they want. I work with adults and youth 13+ in helping them understand themselves and the world around them a little better. I believe that counselling can bring insight and perspective that can help transform our experiences. The connection between the counsellor and client is critical in laying the groundwork to inspire positive growth.
Darci works with autistic people and those on the ADHD spectrum. Understanding how this impacts your life is crucial to navigating the neurotypical world. Being neurodivergent is harder when the world is designed for different minds.
Whether you are heterosexual, queer, monogamous or not, being on the spectrum can offer a set of unique challenges.
Darci offers a sensory friendly space where self-expression and real talk is encouraged and appreciated.
Darci works with autistic people and those on the ADHD spectrum. Understanding how this impacts your life is crucial to navigating the neurotypical world. Being neurodivergent is harder when the world is designed for different minds.
Whether you are heterosexual, queer, monogamous or not, being on the spectrum can offer a set of unique challenges.
Darci offers a sensory friendly space where self-expression and real talk is encouraged and appreciated.
Everyday, I witness how trauma, self-doubt, and unresolved problematic patterns create barriers to connection and prevent growth. Unmet needs and unspoken emotions profoundly shape how we relate to ourselves and others, and they often leave us feeling hurt, lonely, and misunderstood. In my practice, we'll make space for every part of you, especially those in need of support, compassion, and validation. Together, we'll explore and embrace each one, allowing you to better understand who you are and what you need. Moreover, this deepened self-awareness and self-acceptance will help you cultivate closer intimate relationships
Everyday, I witness how trauma, self-doubt, and unresolved problematic patterns create barriers to connection and prevent growth. Unmet needs and unspoken emotions profoundly shape how we relate to ourselves and others, and they often leave us feeling hurt, lonely, and misunderstood. In my practice, we'll make space for every part of you, especially those in need of support, compassion, and validation. Together, we'll explore and embrace each one, allowing you to better understand who you are and what you need. Moreover, this deepened self-awareness and self-acceptance will help you cultivate closer intimate relationships
If you're navigating the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, or new parenthood, you're not alone. I specialize in supporting individuals through this period of significant change, particularly those experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or struggles with eating disorders. My goal is to help you build emotional resilience, regain balance, and find a sense of well-being that feels right for you.
If you're navigating the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, or new parenthood, you're not alone. I specialize in supporting individuals through this period of significant change, particularly those experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or struggles with eating disorders. My goal is to help you build emotional resilience, regain balance, and find a sense of well-being that feels right for you.
In my counselling practice, I love supporting wellness goals and mental health issues of all shapes and sizes, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, anger management, stress, relationship issues, family conflict, and abuse - just to name a few. However, I specialize in treating symptoms of neurodivergence & trauma. For example, issues associated with autism (ASD), attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attachment styles, and childhood trauma, especially around self-exploration, relationship issues, and the LGBTQ2I+ community.
In my counselling practice, I love supporting wellness goals and mental health issues of all shapes and sizes, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, anger management, stress, relationship issues, family conflict, and abuse - just to name a few. However, I specialize in treating symptoms of neurodivergence & trauma. For example, issues associated with autism (ASD), attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attachment styles, and childhood trauma, especially around self-exploration, relationship issues, and the LGBTQ2I+ community.
See more therapy options for V5L
How does your Counsellor compare?
Number of Counsellors in V5L
100+
Average cost per session
$150
Counsellors in V5L who prioritize treating:
| 91% | Anxiety |
| 84% | Relationship Issues |
| 82% | Depression |
| 79% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 77% | Self Esteem |
| 73% | Stress |
| 68% | Grief |
Average years in practice
7 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 67% | SunLife |
| 61% | Green Shield Canada |
| 56% | Manulife |
How Counsellors in V5L see their clients
| 68% | In Person and Online | |
| 32% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 77% | Female | |
| 16% | Male | |
| 7% | Non-Binary |