Hello, I am Vanessa, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with 13 years of experience working in the social services field. I have been a counselling therapist for four years and hold a Masters of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle. I am available to work with individuals and people in partnerships who are 19 years of age and older.
My approach to counselling is that of showing warmth, validation, empathy, and building trust through honest dialogue and experiential strategies that place clients’ needs for safety and connection at the forefront. I will work with you collaboratively to reach your desired goals in therapy as you gain confidence in and compassion towards yourself to make courageous decisions toward the betterment of your mental health and overall wellbeing.
I will use a combination of approaches that are tailored for you to gain deeper insight into the concerns that are in the way of you feeling satisfied and resilient in your life. These approaches include: bio-psychosocial, emotion-focused, attachment-oriented, somatic, trauma-aware frameworks as well as person-centered, solution-focused, strength and values-based approaches to counselling.
I am trained and skilled in using evidence based therapeutic modalities such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Feedback Informed Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic therapies, Existential therapies, and Expressive therapies; all which assist in understanding, managing, and relieving symptoms of mental health difficulties.
I have supported children, youth and adults who have experienced: abuse, anxiety, depression, bereavement, grief and loss, cultural stress, gender identity stress, parenting stress, relationship stress, self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance use stress, employment stress, crime, and trauma. Being a mother and partner myself has enhanced my passion for supporting new and experienced parents navigate their mental health while raising infants, children, and adolescents.
Instead of going in a straight line, change meanders like a river. I am here to help you navigate your journey from patterns of protection and disconnection to patterns of calm reconnection with yourself and others. I am honoured to be invited to work with you and endeavour to create a safe space for you to be yourself and feel your full potential.
