It takes courage to live life, especially a life that honours all aspects of who we are. Many of us are painfully contorting to meet externally set expectations, like those of family, friends, partnerships, institutions, old belief systems, and a consumerist/individualistic culture. Recognizing our own life’s expectations—those that come from our deepest, most knowing/feeling selves– requires facing parts of our Self that we may have denied or buried. As a counsellor, I lean into depth psychology (per Carl Jung) and existential-humanistic therapy to help people gently unearth more aspects of themselves and find the courage to integrate these parts into their whole being. Doing so sets the stage for a more meaningful and grounded life and the ability to better weather life’s storms.

Prior to becoming a counsellor, I spent more than a decade as a communications professional. The significant overlap between communications and counselling skills allows me to meld language, metaphor, and humour with openness, curiosity, and attentive listening.

I understand therapy not only as a counsellor, but also as a client. My personal inner work has been my greatest teacher on suffering, individuation, the therapeutic relationship, and the essentialness of joy, connection, and gratitude through it all.​ ​ I would be honoured to walk with you on your therapy journey of self-reflection and discovery. It can be a scary and vulnerable task, but you needn’t go alone. I will listen without judgment and offer empathy and a safe holding space for whatever needs to be held. I’m here to support you in examining that which you courageously bring into our sessions. Lastly, a bit about me: I’m a proud Filipina-Canadian and was raised in Edmonton, Alberta. I came to Vancouver more than 20 years ago, was stunned by the West Coast, and never looked back (or east, in this case). When I’m not working, I’m reading, dancing, singing, or laughing with family and friends.

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My fundamental orientation to counselling is existential. At its heart, this approach doesn’t distinguish between cognitions (thinking) and affect (feeling) and the somatic (body). Instead, it (and I) attempt to make contact with the whole of one’s being. After all, we don’t refer to ourselves as “human brains” or “human bodies” but as human beings. This is why talk therapy participates in healing the body, but it also explains why attention to the body can help heal what we generally call mental illness. And in the midst of it all, feelings are the endlessly rich source of information that help connect thinking to the body.

In this way, I don’t think of my practice as curative. Rather, I think of the movement that is achieved in therapy as-being-towards-authenticity: i.e., when one’s interior and exterior and thinking, feeling, and bodily experiences are in concert. The task of therapy, then, is simply to learn to speak in and with one’s own voice.

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Beginning counselling is an intimidating process and I congratulate you for making it this far! It is an impressive accomplishment to take action with your mental health and you should be proud of yourself. I have included some thoughts around my approach to counselling and a bit of background information into who I am. If you feel I would be a good fit as your counselor, I look forward to working with you! Counselling is a space for growth, stabilization, recovery, and healing – and while we all have the tools to maintain, improve, and stabilize our mental health – I believe that the best results can be achieved collaboratively. I can provide a supportive, non-judgemental space to help you access these tools. By following a combination of evidence-based practice and semi-structured talk therapy, I look to use a model that meets you where your needs are. If you require directive care, I will provide that, if a more loosely formed treatment plan is required, I will gladly support you. My priority as a therapist is to provide the best possible care and work with you to find an approach that suits you. I maintain a client-centered approach that recognizes the complicated systems life presents. I believe we are all constantly shaping and being shaped by our environments and it is important to recognize the influence these systems can have on us. I have training with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an approach that looks at the interplay between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. If this approach feels beneficial to you, we can incorporate it! I have worked with Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community offering community development support and within the Fraser Health Authority on a Mental Health and Substance Use team. More recently, I worked as a Therapist providing individual care to adults in Kitchener, Ontario and group therapy to Indigenous youth on the Six Nations Reserve in Oshweken, Ontario. My work experience also includes Kayak Guiding, Outdoor Education, and Search & Rescue in the Coast Guard – the last of which has informed my understanding of the effects traumatic exposure can have on an individual. This background has left me with a robust understanding of independence in the natural world and the healing powers nature can offer. Outside of work, my interests include snowboarding, reading, cooking, and fitness. I was raised in Victoria, British Columbia and have a deep appreciation for the West Coast and all it has to offer.

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I believe healing is a collaborative venture; you can expect to find in me a therapist that is compassionate, non-judgmental and transparent. My approach is one that uses curiosity to explore, understand and appreciate you wholly - your unique story. I incorporate various therapeutic approaches all of which hold clients in the highest regard. Narrative therapy offers an approach that is collaborative in spirit and explores the root of ‘problem stories’ that can often find us stuck in one narrative. We all have stories, we created them! They are beneficial as they help us to explain and understand our past and our present experiences. These stories uncover our beliefs and values, they help to shape and influence our lives – most importantly they contribute and influence the development of our future. Let’s discover together how to alter the current narrative, by leaving behind the elements in our stories that are no longer valuable to us, cause us harm or excessive stress. Through this intentional change we can now create internal space to bring in helpful elements that will instead provide a healthier, calmer and flourishing future. I have over 14 years of experience working and volunteering within the LGBTTQI, BIPOC and other diverse communities. I have had tremendous opportunity and vast experience counselling clients in the areas of mental health wellness, specifically addressing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, disordered eating, and substance / behavioural concerns.

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Hello and welcome! My name is Ann and I am a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) and art therapist, offering both virtual and in-person counselling and art therapy services. I approach my work as a counsellor and art therapist with the philosophy that every human being is the expert of their own life, and holds an innate capacity and wisdom for healing. I like to think of therapy as a journey on which I am a fellow traveller, walking alongside you with genuine compassion, curiosity, and acceptance. On this journey, my role is to offer support and encouragement, create a space for connection, expression, and discovery. I work from a holistic lens that incorporates the interconnectedness of emotional, social, systemic, spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of wellbeing.

As someone who has personally experienced the value of therapy, I understand the importance of building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, authenticity, and safety. Our work together will be trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and collaborative. We will move at a pace that feels good for you. Together, we will uncover how your life experiences and intersectionalities have shaped you, build tools to support you during life’s challenges, and strengthen your relationship with yourself and others.

I believe that the identities we hold have a significant impact on how we experience and interact with the world - I identify as a white, cisgender immigrant woman. I was born in Switzerland and immigrated to Canada with my family when I was a child. I grew up on the unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səlílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and this is where I continue to work and live. I am dedicated to continued learning about the intersectionalities I hold and, and how I can support and uplift the voices of those impacted by racism, colonization, and discrimination.

In an attempt to meet the unique needs of each individual, my therapeutic approach integrates several modalities. These include, but are not limited to, art therapy, existential therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectal behaviour therapy, internal family systems therapy, intersectional feminist theory, attachment theory, and Adlerian theory. I have experience working with trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-worth, grief, loss, relationships, sexuality, life transitions, and more. I am passionate about engaging in ongoing learning at personal and professional levels so I can provide the best care possible to each of you. On a personal level, some things that bring me joy are painting, being by the ocean, cafe dates with friends, and going on spontaneous adventures!

I am currently accepting clients and it would be my honour to connect with you.

Hello and welcome! My name is Ann and I am a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) and art therapi... Read More

At the core of my work is the belief that we are formed in relationship, harmed in relationship, and healed in relationship. My approach to therapy involves taking great care to foster a warm collaborative dynamic, where we can slow things down and bring curiosity to areas of your life that require attention. These conversations may relate to persistent feelings about the past, repeating patterns in current relationships, hopes and fears about the future, or a variety of other topics. I believe that many of our struggles relate to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences we have had to push aside to make it through the moments. However, they continue to impact our lives by showing up as patterns of anxiety, depression, defensiveness, perfectionism etc. From my perspective, mental health is synonymous with integration, and it can be tremendously helpful to have a companion on your journey towards a greater sense of wholeness.

I work from a contemporary Psychodynamic approach to therapy, drawing from aspects of Relational Psychoanalysis, British Object Relations, and Jungian/Archetypal Psychology. My work is also grounded in the latest research from Interpersonal Neurobiology and Attachment Theory, along with Family Systems and Trauma-Informed approaches to therapy.

A little bit about me: I grew up in northern industry towns all over western Canada and eventually found my way to the West Coast, where I completed a BFA at UBC, and have spent the past decade working in theatre and teaching Speech Arts to teenagers. In my free time, you might find me enjoying nature with my wife and daughter, reading a good novel, or at the cinema.

If working together interests you, please consider reaching out for a consultation. I would love the chance to meet you, where we can discuss the possibility of engaging your story together.

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Hello and welcome! I am a counselor who values warmth and authenticity at all times with an emphasis on taking creative approaches to solving problems. As a client, you will find a comforting and safe environment for self-exploration, leaving each session feeling understood. I want to help you see things from a new perspective and find the strength and resiliency to tackle any challenges life can throw at you.

While I incorporate a wide variety of theories in my work, I often lean on ideas from narrative and somatic therapy. Narrative therapy sees us as the protagonist of our world, with the storyline changing depending on the contexts we find ourselves in. We want to find what makes your story unique and how to use your strengths to overcome challenges. Somatic therapy values the connection between our body and mind. The body does a great job of holding onto stress or tension without us even noticing it, making us feel that there’s something wrong that we can’t pinpoint. Through breathwork and other somatic interventions, we can better understand our bodies and recognize when we feel tense.

Finding the right counselor can be an intimidating process but it doesn’t have to be! If you believe I may be a good fit or wish to know more, feel free to reach out for a free consultation session.

Hello and welcome! I am a counselor who values warmth and authenticity at all times with an empha... Read More

My philosophy as a counsellor is founded on a collaborative approach. Together, we explore perspectives, abilities, strengths you can draw from, as well as barriers that may be impeding the changes you seek. We are all experts of our own lives and you possess important knowledge, skills, and abilities vital to making changes in your life. Two counselling theories I identify most with include: Narrative Therapy and Existentialism.

I speak French, Spanish, and English and can offer counselling services in all three languages.

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Having experienced counselling as a client myself, I know that it can be an enormously transformative and rewarding process. At the same time, I know that it sometimes takes incredible courage to come to counselling, which is why I consider it an honour and a privilege to hold space for the people that I work with. My approach to this work is rooted in person-centered principles, emphasizing nonjudgment, empathy, and respect for all clients. I also practice with an intersectional lens, seeing each individual as unique and the expert in their own life. It’s extremely important to me that my clients feel a genuine sense of connection in our work together and I strive to create a therapeutic space in which they feel safe enough to examine their experiences more closely. I also believe that counselling should be a collaborative process and see my role as that of a guide who walks alongside people as they work towards their goals.

In tailoring my work to the specific needs of each client, I incorporate elements from several approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which focuses on the interaction of our thoughts, behaviour, and emotions. I also find that many clients benefit from the development of mindfulness skills, which allow us to engage with these parts of ourselves as well as the physical sensations in our bodies in a more constructive way. Recognizing the importance of acting in a way that is in alignment with our values, I also draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Additionally, I often turn to Narrative Therapy, which highlights the stories that we tell in order to make sense of and find meaning in the world as well as our ability to re-author these in ways that may serve us better. Much of my work is also grounded in Attachment Theory and the belief that humans have an innate need to form close emotional bonds with others.

Outside of my work as a counsellor, I am passionate about spending time with my wife, family, and friends, and I can often be found playing music, attending concerts, traveling, exploring Vancouver’s food scene, and birdwatching. If you think that you may be interested in working together, I’d welcome the chance to connect, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to arrange a consultation.

Having experienced counselling as a client myself, I know that it can be an enormously transforma... Read More

My practice blends scientific research, counselling theory, and clinical experience into a singular approach. It enables people to literally reconstruct the neural pathways that guide daily living. From experiences of stress, difficult emotions, and physical pain, to the quality of everyday relationships, this approach has proven clinical results.

Change is always hard. Whether something or someone in our life needs to change — or it already has — or we’ve decided that something inside ourselves needs to shift, it’s never easy. But living with the feeling that something isn’t right is hard too — it can leave us with frustration and resentment in our relationships, dip us down into depression and exhaustion, or put us in a pattern of all-too-familiar anxiousness, submissiveness, and anger. If any of this sounds familiar, counselling can help.

Trust, and change, and introspection are risky, and so counselling can seem scary. The most important factor in the success of therapy is the relationship between you and me. Research tells us that when we connect, our conversations bring out the parts of yourself that already know how to adapt, to change, and to heal.

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