Click on my North Nanaimo/Parksville/Duncan locations on the first booking page for more availability.

I aim to create a non-judgmental space where the relationship between client and counsellor is built on trust and mutual respect. I see therapy as a journey—one that requires patience, empathy, and a deep respect for your unique story. My approach is person-centered, meaning I believe you are the expert on your own life. You’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m here to support and collaborate with you to find a path forward that truly fits who you are and what you need.

Growing up with a counsellor for a parent had a big impact on me—it taught me the importance of finding and using my voice. I’ve seen how easy it is for people to feel like they’ve lost that sense of influence in their own lives. Through counselling, I hope to help you reconnect with your voice and feel more empowered to take back control over your story.

I offer individual counselling and family and couples counselling. I have flexible options for scheduling. Please get in touch with me if you need different scheduling options.

Education and Training:

Graduate Certificate: Addictions and Mental Health Master of Counselling Areas of Focus:

Anxiety Stress Depression Addiction Adoption Abandonment Self-Esteem Trauma Relationships and Couples Counselling Individual Counselling Grief and Loss Communication Disability Spiritual Support ICBC Youth Support Eye Movement Integration for trauma and nervous system regulation for children, youth, and adults Therapeutic Modalities:

Solution-Focused Therapy Emotion-Focused Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Eye Movement Integration (EMI) ICBC Counselling

Direct Billing: I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC, with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and you should be able to submit receipts to most benefit plans. I can work with clients in British Columbia and the unregulated provinces. If your benefits plan covers Canadian Certified Counsellors then these appointments should be covered. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to some insurance plans, including ICBC, Pacific Blue Cross, see them here. If I am approved as a service provider for your family, I am able to direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit.

Age ranges served: Ages 12+ Session Types: Individual, family, and couples counselling. In-person or virtual. Fees: $150-165 per session (Registered Clinician Rates) Registration: CCPA, CCC 11243555

Email: dave.dyck@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 122 Text: 778-312-2879

Location: Dave provides counselling in our North Nanaimo office on Tuesdays. He is in the Duncan location Fridays. Dave is in our Parksville location on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Click on my North Nanaimo/Parksville/Duncan locations on the first booking page for more availabi... Read More

Sometimes life can present situations and experiences that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and alone. Although reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, it can also be an opportunity to explore new possibilities.

I am a Senior Clinician at Island Clinical Counselling in Parksville. My passion for counselling has always aligned with my personal and professional values of compassion, non-judgment, mutuality and respect. I enjoy meeting people where they are on their journey, focusing on their strengths, and supporting them in the direction they wish to go. The power of human resiliency and the capacity of all people to heal are the foundations from which I work.

If you are at a place on your journey where you are struggling and are curious about what counselling could offer, I would be honoured to support you. I am here to hold space for you in a safe, trusting, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental environment, to meet you where you wish to begin, listen to your story, and walk along side you on your path, so to speak.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to join with people to help them access their capacity, focus on their strengths, move through obstacles, and live a meaningful life that reflects their personal values.

Education and Training:

I hold a Bachelor and Masters degree in Social Work. I am a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Therapeutic Modalities:

I have over 25 years clinical experience working in various positions with persons of all ages from many different walks of life. I have additional training and experience in a variety of modalities including:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Cognitive Behavior Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution Focused Brief Therapy Mindfulness and Mindful Self-Compassion Journal Therapy/ Therapeutic Writing Somatic Experiencing/ Body Centered Therapy Pet Grief and Loss Stages of Change Group Therapy

Areas of Focus:

Stress management and situational stress Anxiety and depression Emotional regulation Eating/body image/food related issues Relationship issues Grief and loss, including pet loss Life transitions Trauma including somatic approaches Caregiver burnout Infertility Direct Billing: Many insurance plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors and Masters level Registered Social Workers. I can direct bill to Blue Cross, SunLife, Telus eclaims (many plans), and Greenshield at this time.

Ages ranges served: Individuals 16+ Session Types: Individual adults. In person or online.

Email: brandi.nielsen@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 138 Text: (250) 410-0946 Pronouns: She/Her Fees: $150.00 per session (I am a Senior Clinician Offering Registered Clinician Rates) Registration: BCACC RCC 20408 BC College of Social Workers 08438

Location: Brandi works in our Parksville office on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Evenings: 6PM to 8PM can be requested by emailing, but not booked online.

Sometimes life can present situations and experiences that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuc... Read More

Welcome! My name is Shannon and I help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassionate, evidence-based approaches.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, my practice integrates cognitive, behavioural and experiential strategies through a self-compassion lens. With a foundation in CBT and exposure-based therapies, I support children, youth and adults navigating anxiety/OCD and related disorders. Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP) for OCD, I am additionally pursuing advanced certification in this area through the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. As part of this process, I am working in consultation with a clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric and adult OCD. I similarly support individuals struggling with insomnia and panic and use Habit Reversal Training/the Comprehensive Behavioral model for body focussed repetitive behaviours (BFRBs).

I am also trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help families navigate childhood anxiety disorders and OCD by increasing supportive communication and reducing accommodations. Parenting children with anxiety/OCD can be physiologically activating. SPACE addresses this and other concerns to help both parents and children improve functioning.

I offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma and as an adjunct therapy for panic and anxiety. For this method I employ visual or tactile bilateral stimulation to engage dual attention in reprocessing traumatic memories. Depending on the level and type of trauma, I can draw on parts work and somatic tools for safety and resourcing.

With a background working with Indigenous communities and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, I strive to bring creativity, cultural competence and humility to all our sessions.

I can direct bill to a variety of insurers, including: Greenshield, Sunlife, Pacific Blue Cross, Blue Cross/Medavie, and insurers falling under Telus e-claims (e.g., Manulife, Group Health, etc.).

Areas of focus:

● Anxiety & panic ● Phobias ● Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ● Ruminations/intrusive thoughts ● Parenting through childhood anxiety and OCD ● Body-focussed Repetitive Behaviours (Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania) ● Insomnia ● Depression ● Stress management ● Trauma ● Mood and Emotional Regulation

Education and training: I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology along with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.

● Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD (ExRP for OCD) ● Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders ● SPACE Parent-Based Training for Childhood Anxiety and OCD ● Treatment for BFRBs ● Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) ● Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) ● CBT for Insomnia ● Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Therapy Age ranges served: 10 +

Session Types: Individual adults, youth and families. In Person or Virtual.

Email: shannon.cowan@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 152 Text: (250) 410-0911 Pronouns: She/Her Fees: $150.00-165.00 per session Registration: BCACC RCC 27390

Location: Shannon works in Parksville on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Welcome! My name is Shannon and I help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with c... Read More

Hi there, I’m Jill. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and am currently completing supervised hours toward registration as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC. Before sharing a bit of my professional journey, I want to begin with how I approach counselling. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Victor Frankl My invitation in counselling is to help you create and stay with that space. It’s a pause where you can notice what is present, make choices that are meaningful, and practise new ways of responding to life’s challenges. In that space, you can access your own inner wisdom, resilience, and capacity for growth. Together, we will use your personal stories and meaningful history to guide the counselling process. We will use narrative and mindfulness based approaches to support your experience. Since 1993, I have been honoured to walk alongside people as they navigate life transitions, living with illness, grief, loss, identity shifts, and times of deep change. Earlier in my career, I worked directly as a counsellor with children, youth, adults, and families, offering both individual and group support across hospice, hospital, outdoor camp, and school-based settings, including work with pregnant and parenting adolescents. In more recent years, I provided leadership within Island Health’s Palliative & End-of-Life Care program, while remaining closely connected to clinical practice through mentorship and consultation. Following a significant loss in the summer of 2024, I became clear in my desire to return to counselling work that focuses on deep, meaningful client relationships. When I am not working, I can often be found on the trails with family and my two young golden retrievers, Maui and Sunday, or enjoying the sunrise at one of the many beautiful beaches in central Vancouver Island.

Clinical Experience and Areas of Focus • Grief and bereavement across the lifespan, including perinatal and child loss • Living with chronic illness and life-limiting conditions (children, youth, and adults) • Caregiver support and wellness • Health-care navigation and advocacy • Maternal mental health and parenting transitions • Pre- and post-natal mental health • Life transitions across the lifespan • Stress management • Health-care provider support and wellness • Compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral distress • Anxiety and mood changes • Resilience and post-traumatic growth • Spiritual care

Education & Training • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology — Yorkville University • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — University of Calgary • Advanced Studies in Mental Health — Mount Royal College • Psychosocial Care of the Dying – Victoria Hospice • Training in cognitive, somatic, narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches • Play and Sand Therapy — Alberta Play Therapy Association • Suicide Intervention Training (Basic and Adolescent Levels) — SIEC • Critical Incident Stress Debriefing — Level 1 • Childbirth Education — Level 1 • San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training • Nature-Based Therapy — Introductory Workshop • Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Populations & Session Types • Ages: Children, youth, young adults, adults • Sessions: Individual, family, and couples counselling Availability • In-person sessions at the Parksville Clinic • Virtual sessions from the comfort of your own space • Nature-based sessions (where appropriate)

Age ranges served: all Session types: Individuals, couples, families, online and in person

Email: jill.gerke@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 116 Fees: $70, offering the Pay What You Can Program for those in need

Location: She works out of our Parksville office on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Hi there, I’m Jill. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and am currently completing... Read More

Click on both my locations to see my full availability

Hello! I am a graduate student pursuing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I am honoured to join the Island Clinical Counselling team as a student intern, providing support to individuals in their journey towards wellness.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of all counselling work, and I offer a person-centered and trauma-informed approach tailored to each individual that I work with. I am an ally for highly sensitive people.

I am passionate about providing empathetic support to individuals by meeting you where you are at and navigating the road to wellness together. I am honoured to be part of your healing journey.

Areas of Interest:

Children and families Life transitions Anxiety Self-Esteem Stress Management Grief and Loss Highly Sensitive People Therapeutic Modalities:

Person-Centered Therapy Strengths-Based Approaches Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Habit Reversal Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Solution-Focused Therapy Narrative-Based Approaches Mindfulness-Based Approaches Activity and Play-Based Approaches Nature-Based Approaches Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Education:

Currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Vancouver Island University Additional Training:

Counselling Professional Development in Mindfulness Rainbows Canada Grief and Loss Facilitator Certification CBT trauma informed certificate in progress Trauma-Focused CBT training Nature-Based Play Therapy: A Multi-Sensory Experience to Treat Trauma & Promote Resilience in Kids Group Therapy:

Child and Youth Groups In Person Nanaimo for a variety of ages

I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information.

Age ranges served: Ages 7+ Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. In Person or Virtual.

Email: kaylin.compton@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 136 Fees: $70.00 per session or apply for the Pay What You Can program. (not covered by benefit plans) Professional Affiliation: BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), student member

Location: I work out of the North Nanaimo location on Monday and Wednesday nights; and in Parksville on Thursdays.

Click on both my locations to see my full availability Hello! I am a graduate student pursuing m... Read More

Thank you for taking the first step toward creating a brighter future for yourself! I believe that you are the expert in your own life and healing journey.

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, or body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRB)? Or perhaps you’re simply looking for support as you navigate life’s ups and downs? I’m here to help. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts and behaviours, unpack unhelpful patterns, and work toward developing healthier ways of thinking and living—guiding you toward a stronger, more balanced version of yourself.

My primary therapeutic approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), complemented by elements of Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Through these approaches, we’ll examine how your thoughts and actions influence your mental well-being.

As a former elementary school teacher with 18 years of experience, as well as a youth soccer and basketball coach, I also bring extensive experience working with children, youth, and their families. I work with adults of all ages as well.

I also have experience working with autistic children and adults. If your family is eligible, I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit, and I am an approved practitioner.

Areas of Focus:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 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 Neurodiversity Support for major life transitions, such as support to post-secondary students Stress Management Support for caregivers of and individuals with diverse abilities Education and Training: I have completed my Masters in Counselling and a supervised practicum. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Exposure Response Prevention (ERPs) Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome Treatment: Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in Youth and Adults Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD specific to Autism and ADHD SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (learn more in our blog post) Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information. I can bill Game Plan for athletes mental health. I direct bill to Saje Funding through the BC Government. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors then these appointments should be covered. I currently do not direct bill to private insurance, please submit your receipts to your benefit plans.

Age ranges served: All Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. Families and Couples Counselling. In Person or Virtual.

Email: bree.stutt@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 105 Text: 778-313-0804 Pronouns: She/Her Fees: $150-165 per session (Registered Clinician Rates) Registration: BCACC RCC 19810

Location: Bree works in Parksville Tuesday through Friday.

Thank you for taking the first step toward creating a brighter future for yourself! I believe tha... Read More

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). I have worked in career development services for over a decade, and am a certified career development practitioner (Dalhousie University). I started my career journey in community mental health and substance use disorders over two decades ago. I have worked with individuals managing disabilities, survivors of intimate partner violence, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, newcomers to Canada, people navigating mental health and/or substance use challenges, and various combinations of all of these cultural and identity dimensions. I have had the privilege of working with Indigenous families and individuals, and understand how systemic barriers impacts client’s lived experience.

When working with neurodiverse clients, I draw from my own lived experience (late diagnosed ADHD). In sessions I work collaboratively; I am open to suggestions, inquiries and feedback. I also work wholistically, drawing from talk-therapy, body-work techniques, and tools to improve flexibility in thinking and/or thought rumination.  

I am committed to decolonizing the therapeutic space and continue to engage in Indigenous-led cultural competency training as part of this lifelong process. My integrative work with clients is informed by several therapeutic models, including Narrative Therapy (NT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). I also draw wisdom from Attachment-Informed Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), especially in my work with couples. These last two models, along with Structural Family Therapy, shape my work with couples and families because they focus on strengthening family bonds, and building safe connection with others.

 One of the quotes that most inspires my work is:

“When you stay on purpose and refuse to be discouraged by fear, you align with the infinite self, in which all possibilities exist.” – Wayne Dyer

 Areas of Focus (for all ages & stages):

Career assessment & goal-oriented planning (finding your path) Employment support: job development, acquisition & retention (forging success) Conflict resolution in workplace or personal settings (navigating interpersonal struggles) Strengthening self-worth & personal identity (living with purpose on purpose) Communication skill-building (improving personal and professional relationships) Navigating grief, trauma, addiction, self-sabotage (building emotional & cognitive flexibility) Couples therapy (connection, repair, or peaceful separation) Play Therapy (externalizing children’s internal issues through art, figures, games, sand tray) Family therapy (improving relationship dynamics through building communication skills and opportunities for connection) Navigating Significant Mental Health Diagnosis (Bipolar Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Hoarding, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Personality Disorders) Type One Diabetes

Additional Modalities:

Child and Youth Counselling Couples and Family Counselling Habit Reversal Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Internal Family Systems CBT for Insomnia CBT for ARFID Nature Therapy Career Counselling Traumatic Brain Injury Counselling Therapeutic Writing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Sand Tray

Group therapy including:

Late-Diagnosed ADHD in Women & (re)Building Authentic Connection Navigating Greif & Loss (ages, life stages & loved ones) Cultivating Self-Compassion (silencing the inner critic) Embracing Diverse-ability (self-exploration, transferrable skills, reclaiming identity) DBT Parenting Support (navigating the agency & identity struggle with teens)

Education:

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (Athabasca University) Bachelor of Arts (Literature, Simon Fraser University) Associate of Arts (Biology/Sociology, Capilano University) Certified Career Development Practitioner (Dalhousie University)

Additional Training:

Peer Support Training (2025) Ongoing Indigenous Cultural Safety & Competency Training (2011-present) Financial Literacy Facilitation Training (2011) ASIST Applied Suicide Training (2024)

If your health benefits cover Canadian Certified Counsellors, then your appointments should be covered.

Age Ranges Served: Children, Youth, Adults, Older Adults Session Types: Individual, Couples, Families, Groups — Available In-Person & Online

Email: jessica.reid@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone/Text: 250-228-6071 (for most immediate response) Messages only: 778-762-3750 ext. 144 Pronouns: she/her

Professional Affiliations: Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association – CCC 11261844 BC Association of Clinical Counsellors – RCC (Candidate) BC Career Development Association – CCDP (Candidate)

Fees: $150-165 / session 

Location: I will be working out of our Parksville office Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). I have worked in career development services for over... Read More

I am a counselling student at Island Clinical Counselling working with youth (11+), adults, parents, couples, and families. My approach is warm, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and focused on helping clients understand their emotional patterns and behaviours while developing practical tools for meaningful change.

I also specialize in digital wellness, including video gaming disorder (VGD), problematic smartphone use (PSU), and social media overuse. Digital habits often start as ways to manage stress or emotional pain but can easily become their own challenge through reinforced reward cycles, avoidance, and identity-based rewards. My work helps clients understand both the underlying needs as well as the behavioural habits and biopsychosocial drives that keep them feeling stuck.

Technology-related addictions often reveal deeper concerns such as anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, identity challenges, or neurodiversity. When issues fall outside my scope—such as body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or concerns requiring medical, psychiatric, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy involvement—I collaborate with and refer to appropriate specialists while continuing to support the client’s emotional wellbeing. Below are the areas I work with directly.

Specializations

Gaming Disorder Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) Social Media Addiction (SMA) Cybersex Addiction Online Pornography Addiction Online Shopping Addiction Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) Digital Burnout Technology-Related Family Conflict Trauma-Related Digital Overuse Areas of Focus

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Executive Functioning Challenges Emotional Dysregulation Anxiety Disorders Social Anxiety Disorder Self-Worth and Self-Esteem Concerns Depressive Disorders Identity Development Concerns Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Stress and Burnout Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders Adjustment Disorders Sleep-Wake Disorders Communication Challenges Relationship Distress Family Systems Concerns Parenting Support Needs Couples Therapy Needs Grief and Bereavement Chronic Fatigue and Exhaustion Therapeutic Modalities

Executive-function and ADHD supports Behavioural Activation (BA) Habit Reversal Training (HRT) Motivational Interviewing (MI) Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Family Systems Therapy Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Narrative Therapy Adlerian Therapy Mindfulness & Somatic approaches Psychoeducation (sleep, attention, emotional regulation) Education

Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University) in Progress Bachelor of Science in Business (Various) Certification

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Trauma-Informed Practice (Levels 1 and 2) Working With Addictions Working with Children: Risk Mitigation I continue to improve my skill set in order to facilitate the best possible change for my clients.

Professional Associations

British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) – Student Member Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) – Student Member Unplugged Canada – Affiliate Speaker on Smartphone Addictions The McCreary Centre Society – Member & Advisor on Video Game and Gaming Adolescent Health Survey Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise – President (2025–2026) Delta Mu Delta International Honours Society – Member I can direct-bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information.

Age ranges served: 11+.

Session Types: Individual adults, adolescents, and youth. Couples and families. In Person or Virtual.

Email: johann.robertson@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 141 Fees: $70.00 per session or apply for the Pay What You Can program. (not covered by benefit plans)

Location: I work out of the Port Alberni office on Tuesdays and Downtown Nanaimo on Wednesdays.

I am a counselling student at Island Clinical Counselling working with youth (11+), adults, paren... Read More

Click on all three of my locations to see my full availability

I am honoured to be part of the skilled and compassionate team at Island Clinical Counselling, providing support for adults, youth, children, couples, and families. I believe in working collaboratively and meeting you where you are, every step of the way. I am committed to using evidence-based therapies, delivered in a person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally inclusive way.

I aim to provide affirming care that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse identities. I work with individuals with confirmed or suspected neurodiversity and those navigating later in life discovery.

I specialize in cognitive, behavioural, and mindfulness-based treatments for anxiety-related concerns, mood and emotion regulation, panic, obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD), hoarding, phobias, BFRBs, tics, chronic health issues, tinnitus, body image, eating concerns, and trauma. My background is in exposure and response prevention (ERP) and I also offer virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). If you are curious about how VR therapy might support you or your child in managing fear or anxiety, please book a free consult to explore this option.

I incorporate leading trauma therapies including cognitive processing therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and EMDR, which uses visual, auditory, or tactile dual attention stimulation to support trauma processing.

I have a special interest in supporting individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and parenthood. My graduate research focused on the impact of fertility-related stress on individuals and couples.

I work with both monogamous and consensual non-monogamous relationships, using emotion focused therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method to support communication and connection.

Areas of Focus:

Anxiety, Panic, Phobias Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviours (OCD) Depression and Mood Concerns PTSD and Trauma Processing Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) and Autism Support (Confirmed and Unconfirmed), Late Discovery Tics and Tourette’s Misophonia Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (picking, pulling, nail biting) Fertility Challenges, Secondary Infertility Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health Parenting Support, Parent-Child Relationships Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Body Image, Eating Concerns, Self-esteem, Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) Chronic Health Issues, Chronic Pain Tinnitus Sleep Issues, Insomnia Relationship Counselling Family Relationships Narcissistic Trauma Identity and Career Exploration Child and Youth Counselling Education and Training:

Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Thompson Rivers University CBT-Insomnia Inference based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD with Neurodivergent Populations San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Tics and Tourette’s (CBIT) Habit Reversal Therapy for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) EMDR (EMDRIA Approved basic training) Narcissistic Abuse Trauma Care for Survivors Virtual Reality for Anxiety and Phobia Treatment (VRET) Parent-child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Families The Gottman Method for Couples, Level 1 & 2 Managing chronic pain SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (learn more in our blog post) Group Therapy:

Chill League, ages 9-13 in person in Parksville (ages flexible) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group for Teens (13-17) – on Zoom

Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to some insurance plans (Greenshield, Sun Life, Canada Life, Blue Cross, Telus eclaims), see them here.

Age ranges served: All children, youth and adults Session Types: Couples, individual adults, individual children and youth, families, in person sessions or virtual.

Email: sondra.petrus@islandclinicalcounselling.ca Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 121 Text: 778-410-5510 Pronouns: She/Her Fees: 150-175 dollars. (Registered Clinician Rates) CCPA CCC 11248969 BCACC RCC 21942

Location: I work out of the downtown Nanaimo office on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I am in North Nanaimo on Wednesdays. I work in Parksville Tuesdays.

Click on all three of my locations to see my full availability I am honoured to be part of the s... Read More