Female Therapists in Nanaimo, BC

Everyone has a unique approach to discovering wellness in their life. I believe we need balance between physical, mental, emotional, behavioral and spiritual health, and each of these areas requires care and attention to thrive. By reaching out to talk about stress, feelings, emotions, thoughts and other factors influencing our health, we give ourselves the ability to make necessary change, and to empower autonomous decision-making, creating happiness for ourselves. If you feel stuck, stressed, unfulfilled, or experience relationship difficulties or require support in finding happiness and health, begin your journey to health today.

Counselling can help individuals, couples and families in times of challenge by offering a judgement free space to be heard, explore solutions, expand perspectives and create the space for healing to occur. Clients seek counselling when they are struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, chronic pain, relationship challenges, issues with trust and communication, infidelity and or conflict management. I believe effective therapy is relationship-driven. I invite you to start on a journey where together we face the challenges or struggles you experience.

To be human is to feel, to think, to sometimes reel. Life can bring so much joy and so much pain, sometimes even in the same week. Connection, passion, and a deep sense of self can feel far away at times. Juggling family, work, and personal fulfillment can feel conflicting, exhausting, and at times, unattainable.

My focus is strongly influenced by a person-centered therapy approach to wellness through different methods such as Eco-therapy or expressive art therapy techniques and using the natural elements available to us should the sessions call for such an approach. Reducing stress and anxiety to create a more peaceful person inside who can claim their meaning and be more joyful in life is a difficult path to walk alone. I am here to help and be part of the healing journey. I have completed my diploma in April of 2023 and plan to continue my education and training to better serve the clients I take on as I evolve as a counsellor.

Brain injuries or adverse life events can significantly impact the brain's ability to self-regulate and this gives rise to difficult mental states such as anxiety, depression, rage, irritability, difficulties with attention and mental focus, etc. Patients who seek treatment from me often carry labels such as bipolar disorder, personality disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, etc. Regardless of labels, the core symptom that majority struggle with is extreme level of emotional arousal that the nervous system has difficulty inhibiting. They feel either "jacked" (or hijacked) or energetically/emotionally collapsed.

Counselling provides a space to explore what you need in order to expand, let go of the past, find direction, and explore your process without having to worry about anyone else. Counselling provides a very unique relationship that supports you in your process towards expanding the possibilities of who you are, and how you choose to live your life. There are times that the challenges in your life may lead to isolation, anxiety, depression, and other problems. Through counselling, you can explore your alternatives, build on your strengths, and develop new insight and skills.

At Central Island Counselling, our clients will immediately find an advocate with compassion, acceptance and expertise. We provide the highest standard of private clinical counselling services to adults, youth, children and families in the Nanaimo area and beyond. We value privacy, professionalism and creativity in care. Our mission is to safely guide each client while they rediscover their internal resources. You are not alone and there is a path forward to healing.

Accepting new clients. Available for in-person sessions in Nanaimo or virtual sessions anywhere in BC. - After over 12 years working as a counsellor within government and non-profit organizations, I have decided to open my own practice. In my years of working with people, I have come to strongly believe that people and their problems make sense. I can help you understand your struggles, your emotions, and yourself. I aim to understand you holistically, including your complex life. I strive to listen deeply, to be genuine, and to really see you.

Many of my clients seek support following the experience of traumatic life or work events, or the acknowledgement of deep historical pain. I work with a number of populations, with a special focus on supporting first responders and healthcare professionals experiencing burnout and traumatic stress injuries. I have also supported survivors of sexualized violence and abuse for over a decade. Additional areas of practice include grief and loss, self-worth and identity, relationships and communication, and navigating life transitions.

The process of choosing a counsellor begins long-before you arrive at the first session. Often there is a feeling within ourselves that something is just not right. It may be a time marked by a great deal of personal introspection or it could be an intervention from an external source -school, family, friends, your doctor - that motivates contact with a therapist. As a person-centred therapist, I will work with you to establish a meaningful relationship where you feel safe to explore and resolve issues that fit your unique needs at this moment in time.

My name is Melissa and I'm here to support you on your path to healing and wellness! I have over 15 years experience with somatic energy work. I use this valuable experience in my counselling practice to help clients release inner blocks and open their mind and body to new possibilities. I support people through with various life challenges including anxiety, divorce/separation, grief/loss, depression, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and more. I currently work with Indigenous children and families who have experienced sexual abuse and intergenerational trauma. I am a First Nations Health Authority provider.

Life is hard to enjoy when you're not getting through to your kids, spouse or family. Maybe you miss being carefree and less snappy. The family is disconnected and everyone is doing their own thing. It's difficult to get motivated to come together and when you do, it doesn't go well. Handling typical life challenges is difficult and no one is listening. No wonder your fuse is short and the kids are quick to yell or cry. It's like there's a pattern that can't be stopped. Feeling overwhelmed is normal in this situation. This is hard and we can start to make sense of things so you can feel better!

Do you feel like you are unable to calm? Do you feel anxious and judged by others? Do you feel restless, irritable, and stuck in "on" mode in this ready-to-react mode? Do you have persistent negative thinking, emotional fluctuations, and repeating the same actions and patterns? Do you feel stuck and unable to lift your mood? These are among some of the many symptoms of trauma. Trauma changes the nervous system and the ability to regulate our nervous system is directly correlated with our mental health. EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Somatic therapy can help heal the nervous system, by processing and releasing trauma stored in the body.

To all of you who feel weary, frightened, overwhelmed, alone: take refuge here. You are not alone. There is hope. Although the waves seem too rough, they can be calmed. Let’s navigate these storms together. I am Kathryn Atkinson and I want to provide you with a safe space to share your struggles, be truly heard, and understood. Together we will find ways to increase your resilience and climb those mountains that seem insurmountable or traverse those dark storms that seem unending.

You’re a new parent whose relationship before kids is a distant memory. You don’t know how the happy vision of starting a family together turned into arguing about packing diaper bags and lunches and silent evenings on opposite sides of the couch. You don’t have energy to go on a date let alone take care of yourself. In fact, I bet you’re reading this profile during the few moments that your tiny humans are asleep.You’re exhausted, and you don’t know how you will find time to dedicate towards therapy, but you know something has to change. If it doesn’t, you’re worried about the consequences for your relationship or your children.

Human beings are complicated-so often we attempt to reach out to others using words to express our thoughts, our emotions, and our behaviours. With children/youth, we see additional communication barriers because of fewer words and limited life experiences. Being part of a family system should bring safety and emotional support but sometimes this is not possible without help. My work is to enable us to become partners in the process of change- discovering strengths, new awareness and building on this. Imagine my holding up a mirror for you, so that with each session, you are able to discover and appreciate more of who you truly are.

We are accepting new clients of all ages for counselling! Here at Allius Services, we support people to connect with themselves in order to better connect with others. The more we learn about our own internal world, the more we can extend greater compassion to ourselves and to those around us. At Allius, we know the path to emotional well-being comes from those small, meaningful steps we take everyday that moves us a bit closer to what and who is most important to us. Together, we can co-create a plan that moves you forward in the direction of living a more meaningful life and one that is more connected to those you care about most.

Struggling with self-criticism, shame, low self-esteem, stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, eating disorders, family conflict, relationship struggles, life changes or grief? Needing support, new skills or help for moving forward? You deserve to find more peace and well-being. I can help. Together we will explore what is getting the way, heal what needs to be healed, feel what needs to be felt and learn what needs to be learned.

I have been working as a registered psychologist since 2008. It's important to me to create a safe, caring respectful environment where anyone, no matter who they are, feels welcome. The relationship between us is one of the most important factors in determining how helpful counselling with me will be. Clients often come to me with anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, difficulties with life transitions, and grief or loss. We will work together to develop a plan to deal effectively with the issues that bring you to see me. (Can also contact by Fax: 250.984.0859)