It takes courage to step into the counselling process and focus on your healing and growth. I hold the utmost respect and admiration for my clients as they work to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviours, build stronger relationships, and heal from deep trauma. My therapeutic style brings kindness and warmth and I endeavour to create safety. My integrative approach combines cognitive and behavioural processes, somatic modalities, and emotional and mindfulness-based approaches.

I am passionate about supporting youth, individual adults, and couples who are navigating challenges related to recent or past trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I believe it is essential to understand people’s experiences in light of their particular social, cultural, and relational contexts, and I aim to be sensitive to this in my work.

Areas of Focus

Stress and Burnout Self-esteem Trauma therapy Couples Counselling/Relationship Issues Life transitions, such as transition to post-secondary, parenting, and retirement. Pregnancy and Postpartum Immigrant and refugee support Cultural identity Spiritual support Grief Anxiety Disorders Depression and depressive disorders Diverse abilities, such as Autism and ADHD

Education and Training

My fascination with people’s stories and the cultures in which they were raised led me to a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies. For several years, I worked for a non-profit in various countries worldwide, allowing me to gain different perspectives on living and healing. I have a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). I have specific training in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Suicide intervention (ASIST).

Therapeutic Modalities

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Emotionally Focused Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Mindfulness Compassion Focused Therapy Strengths-based therapy Solution-focused therapy Adlerian Theory

I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors, then these appointments should be covered.

Ages ranges served: 12+

Email: joy@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 Ext 122 Pronouns: she/her

Location: Joy works out of our Downtown Nanaimo location on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

It takes courage to step into the counselling process and focus on your healing and growth. I hol... Read More

Not eligible for reimbursement by benefit plans.

I am a student member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association working toward registration as a Horticultural Therapist.

I was “raised” as a counsellor in trauma-informed, intersectional, feminist theory which remains with me in my prioritization of trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship, efforts to level the power differential between therapist and client and validation and acknowledgment of client wisdom, strength and expertise on their own experience. I recognize that we live in social, cultured and gendered contexts that present disproportionate concerns for gender, sexual, racial and cultural minorities and work to create a safe space for diverse folks in the LGBTQ2SI+, Indigenous and multicultural communities.

Areas of Focus:

-Interpersonal trauma focused on survivors of

Intimate partner violence and abuse

Childhood sexual abuse

Sexual assault

Intergenerational trauma

-Children’s problematic sexual behaviour

-PTSD and complex trauma experiences

-Depression

-Anxiety

-Stress management

-Neurodiversity-affirming support for individuals and families with developmental differences such as autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities

-Gender and sexual diversity-affirming support

-Self-harm and suicidality

Education and Training:

-Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University (in progress)

-Coursework toward Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth Mental Health

-Introduction to Nature-Based Therapy

-TF-CBT training

-Person centered therapy

-Trauma informed yoga

-Applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST)

-Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Instructor

-Behaviour Interventionist Basic Training

-San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training

Therapeutic Modalities:

-Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)

-Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

-Mindfulness-based strategies

-Body-based / somatic / sensory strategies

-Person centered therapy

-Nature-based therapy

-Expressive arts and activity-based strategies

-Strengths-based therapy

Age ranges served: All children, youth and adults

Pronouns: She/her

Location: I work out of the downtown Nanaimo office on Mondays 9am-4:30pm and Fridays 3-7p

Not eligible for reimbursement by benefit plans. I am a student member of the BC Association of ... Read More

I work in two locations.

Evolution and growth are an innate part of the human experience, but sometimes we get stuck. That’s where counselling can help. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, symptoms of trauma, self-identity, relationship issues, substance-use, or other challenges, we can co-create sessions that focus on your personal goals. I see it as my job to help create a safe and supportive space where clients can reconnect to their inner wants and needs. As we start to identify what we want for ourselves, we can then see how we sometimes act in ways that do not serve us.

As a certified clinical counsellor, specializing in trauma-informed practices, I blend person-centred and solution-focused approaches to foster acceptance and change. I use an integrative approach that combines inquiry, mindfulness, somatic and emotion-focused modalities, while focusing on the present moment. Core elements in my practice include consent, agency, and respect. While I continue to evolve my training and practice, you are the expert in your life. Together we can create sessions that fit your needs.

Counselling is an exciting and rewarding journey, and I am deeply grateful to have the privilege to work alongside clients. Making the choice to change and grow is powerful.

Areas of focus

Trauma-related symptoms

Acute trauma

Complex trauma

Substance use

Process addictions (shopping, gambling, food-related)

Relationship issues

Occupational stress injury

Life transitions

Personal and cultural identity support

2SLGBTQI+ support

Grief and loss

Anxiety disorders

Depression and depressive disorders

Neurodiverse abilities

Education and Training

My bachelor’s degree, from the University of Oregon, is Romance Languages and Second Language Teaching and Acquisition, and I spent much of my early career teaching and traveling abroad. As part of my own journey, I went on to complete a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. I am a certified clinical counsellor (CCC) and I am in the process of obtaining the registered clinical counsellor (RCC) designation, as well. My additional trainings include:

NARM Level 2 Therapist Training - in progress

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training - 2024

ART - Accelerated Resolution Therapy Basic Training - 2023

ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - 2023

Therapeutic Modalities

Trauma-informed

Person-centered

Emotion-Focused

Neuro-affective Relational Model (NARM)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Strengths-based

Motivational Interviewing

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Systemic & Ecological lens

Biopsychosocial-spiritual lens

Culturally Responsive & Socially Just lens

Ages: 16 and up

kelsey@islandclinicalcounselling.ca 778-762-3759 ext. 115

Kelsey works out of the Downtown clinic on Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons. She works out of the North Nanaimo clinic on Fridays.

I work in two locations. Evolution and growth are an innate part of the human experience, but so... Read More

I work in two locations.

Thank you for taking the first step toward creating a brighter future for yourself! Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRB) or other mental health concerns? I am here to help. Together we will walk a journey towards wellness by unpacking your negative thinking patterns or unhelpful behaviours and work to create healthy thoughts and behaviours that will lead towards a healthier you!

My primary approach is through a cognitive behavioural therapy perspective. Through this lens we examine the power of our thoughts and behaviours on our mental health. I have experience working with OCD and BFRB as well as anxiety and depression. I work with children, youth and adults. I am able to direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit and have experience working with autistic children and adults.

Areas of Focus:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Sports Psychology, focus on support for athletes Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders, Phobias Depression and depressive disorders Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours: picking and pulling disorders (BFRBs), such as Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome Body Dysmorphic Disorder Trauma Therapy Support for major life transitions, such as support to post-secondary students Stress Management Support for caregivers of and individuals with diverse abilities Family Counselling Education and Training: I have completed my Masters in Counselling and a supervised practicum. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Exposure Response Prevention (ERPs) Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for OCD Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) Informed Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics and Tourette’s (CBIT) I am able to direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit for services as well as Game Plan for athletes mental health. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors then these appointments should be covered.

Age ranges served: All

Email: bree@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 105 Pronouns: She/Her

Location: Bree works out of our North Nanaimo clinic on Tuesdays, virtually on Wednesdays, and in our Downtown clinic on Thursdays.

I work in two locations. Thank you for taking the first step toward creating a brighter future f... Read More

Expected leave of absence as of March, 2025

I work in two locations

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Quebin

I am both honoured and thrilled to be working as part of the Island Clinical Counselling team. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I specialize in working with individuals and couples. I am skilled in working with anxiety, phobias, body focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), stress management, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I provide support to children, adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families and offer support to adults and young people with confirmed or possible autism spectrum disorder. I am a Gottman-trained couples counsellor: Gottman–trained therapists aim to help couples build stronger relationships overall and healthier ways to cope with issues as they arise in the future. I also find it a privilege to work with neurodiverse populations. I have experience providing support to individuals with traumatic histories and work with clients of all ages and abilities. I also have training and am equipped to support individuals, couples, and families impacted by acute and complex grief and bereavement.

I am deeply passionate about promoting mental health and empowering individuals to attain positive and meaningful change in their lives…. for change IS possible! My approach to counselling draws upon a strength-based framework that focuses on cultivating individual strengths, abilities, and internal resources. Although, I am largely guided by the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) I am committed to tailoring my approach to honour the unique needs, interests, and resources of every client so I routinely incorporate a variety of therapeutic tools and counselling approaches.

Therapeutic Modalities:

Gottman Couples Therapy Training Levels 1 and 2 Certification Gottman Couples Therapy Treating Affairs and Trauma Certificate Gottman Couples Therapy Couples and Addiction Recovery Certificate Prolonged Grief Disorder Training through Columbia University (certificate) Certified Informed Grief Training Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Exposure Response Prevention (ERPs) for OCD Person-Centered Therapy Mindfulness-Based Counselling Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Strength Based Therapy Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

Education and Training:

I hold a post graduate diploma in General Psychology from Roehampton University and a Masters in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. I am also in the process of becoming skilled in Animal Assisted Therapy.

I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit (AFU). If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors then these appointments should be covered.

Age ranges: All

Email: lisa@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 104 Pronouns: She/Her

Location: You will find Lisa working Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in our North Nanaimo location. Lisa works out of our downtown clinic on some Saturdays.

Expected leave of absence as of March, 2025 I work in two locations “Your present circumstances... Read More