Transgender Therapists in Vancouver, BC

Melanie prioritizes working with Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour, including folks of mixed ancestry and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Those who have experienced discrimination and carry the weight of these experiences in their hearts and bodies. Her approach is grounded in an Anti-Oppressive framework, Trauma & Violence Informed practice, and Solution-Oriented modalities. She engages in this work as a life-long learner and brings an integrative range of evidence-based and empirically supported approaches to support your therapeutic goals.

Life can be hard at times, and our team knows that reaching out for help is not easy. That's why our counsellors are here to help you navigate whatever challenges you are facing with nothing but acceptance and understanding. At Kelsey Jarvis Counselling and Associates, we specialize in helping individuals, couples and youth deal with the highs and lows of life, which can leave us feeling anxious, stressed, unfulfilled, unmotivated and insecure. We offer support through all of life's ups and downs, no matter how big or small. From anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, self-esteem, and life changes; we're here for you.

I believe therapy offers us a space to deepen our self-understanding, find language for our experiences that feel nurturing, and to move beyond our patterns of survival towards a greater sense of integrity, meaning, self-worth, and joy. Amidst the sometimes harrowing experiences of the world outside, I see my role as a therapist to be an anchor of safety and solidarity. I prioritize relational attunement, compassion, and the flexibility needed to address what is arising in the here and now.

I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Before completing my Master's in Counselling, I worked for six years with at-risk youth in non-profit and government organizations. I have supported youth and adult clients with a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, ADHD, trauma, and LGBTQIA+-related issues. Throughout my career, I've worked closely with the queer community. As a queer and trans therapist, my lived experience enables me to deeply empathize with and understand the unique challenges of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, frustrating and time-consuming. If you’re tired of browsing countless profiles and being added to yet another waitlist, let us help you find the right counsellor. We are Phare. Our mission is to provide accessible counselling without the high costs, long waitlists or confusing processes. We have 25+ therapists who help a wide variety of clients on issues including anxiety, depression, relationship issues and trauma. We offer need-based sliding scale rates ($80-$170) so you can access quality counselling when you need it and help others do the same.

Life can sometimes darken our hearts and make things feel difficult or even hopeless, as if there is no way out. You may battle with anxiety, depression, perfectionism or low self-worth while a strong inner critic berates you every step of the way. Perhaps you feel pulled in different directions, while feeling as though you are losing control over your life - at a loss to know where to start in order to break the negative cycles you find yourself trapped in. Amidst all this, relationships may suffer, not only with others, but also with yourself as you strive to find who you really are amongst all the chatter and chaos of your mind.

I’m a non-binary Indian immigrant and my practice focuses on working with queer, PoC & neurodivergent people. I’m interested in supporting issues related to navigating identitie(s), systemic barriers and inter-generational traumas. As a person on the autism spectrum, I also have lived experiences and specialized interests in helping other neurodivergent (ie. ASD, ADHD) people moving through the mental health system, whilst also living authentically.

The human experience can be exhausting and confusing at times… “Can I just get a break!?” If you are reading this, it’s likely you may have reached a point of exhaustion and the logical brain keeps telling you “but, I don’t know why/how…” I’ve been there. The body holds inner stories that are trying to be told, but when the mind doesn’t know how to process them, they show up as anxiety, depression, and/or behaviors that directly impact our connection to ourselves and others.

As unique beings, challenges visit us in unique ways. Many of us have had experiences, are in situations, or have behaviours which prevent us from thriving. Whether or not you have a name for what you are experiencing, I will meet you with warmth and encouragement. I am equally at home working on challenges such as trauma, all types of anxiety and/or depression, grief, chronic illness, navigating a concussion, as I am with exploring dreams, memories, and life purpose.

The Vancouver Psychology Centre is a group of like-minded professionals here to provide evidence-based assessment, consultation and treatment to all ages who seek greater happiness and meaning in their lives. Our Psychologists, Counsellors, Art Therapists and Youth Care Workers use the science of psychology and apply it to the goals of positive emotion and connection. We highlight people's strengths and use Positive Psychology's science and techniques to maximize positive emotion, virtuous personal characteristics, fulfilment with life and to improve connection with others.

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting task. As a Black and queer counsellor, I work to help those who are in need of a safe space to open up about difficult issues that they have faced in their life. I work from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens in order to create a safe environment for every client I work with. I especially enjoy working with LGBTQIA2S+ folks, BIPOC folks, and sex workers, and I welcome anyone outside of these communities to reach out as well.

Are you struggling with overwhelm, indecision, pain, or powerlessness? Are there parts of you that have been silenced, shamed, or oppressed that need a space to be heard? I work with adults of all ages to help make sense of their experiences, process past trauma, feel awake to the current moment, and create a path toward renewal and growth. I believe that we all deserve to develop our sense of self and our sense of meaning in a compassionate and non-judgmental space. Together, we can give voice to the many parts of your internal and relational world and start to build towards the changes you want to see in your life.

In the course of our lives, we inevitably encounter challenging periods and we do our best to navigate with the resources that we have. When the pain and distress become too difficult to cope, having a safe space and a trusted therapist to talk to can help. Allow me the privilege of relieving some of the burden, thereby fostering space necessary for personal growth and a hopeful future.

Therapy is about the connection between your therapist and you. I believe that this relationship is at the foundation of healing and I pride myself on providing a nonjudgmental and safe environment for my clients.

I guide people to return to their fierce intelligence for healing, for thriving. You can free your heart no matter what atrocity you’ve endured. Whether it’s trauma that’s racialized, class-based, familial, intergenerational, transphobic, religious, and ableist, there is medicine within you that wants to heal you. Your spirit (wholeness) is designed to reclaim your life force. Your life force is exactly the gift our world needs to come back into balance. I care about you coming into your rightful power so that you can live in belonging and grow loving connections.

At Clearheart Counselling Vancouver, we’re passionate about innovating relationship solutions that work – supporting you to get your life, and love, back on track. Whether it’s communication skills and tools, or identifying and resolving deeper core issues blocking your wellbeing, our team of committed professionals can help. There are several therapists on the team, each specializing in relationship, trauma, anxiety, depression, recovery related issues.

I am a therapist who empowers you through meaningful care. I have been there- the struggle, the trauma, the trouble navigating difficult and overwhelming feelings, and the pain of not feeling like yourself or having much hope. I know that seeking therapy isn’t an easy step and I commend you for starting your journey by looking to therapy. I am here to support you in finding what is best for you to reach your goals. If you work with me I promise you a safe space where you can process difficult feelings, and work through triggers that are no longer serving you.

Throughout my work I have supported many people who are struggling with: depression, anxiety, negative thoughts about oneself, addiction, dis-ordered eating, self-harm, suicidal thinking, sexuality, gender identity, sexual orientation, issues related to racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, grief and loss, men's issues, anger and frustration. I encourage you to contact me if you are experiencing any of these struggles. Exploration with another person can help us to re-author our relationship to problems and begin to move towards our preferred ways of being in the world.

In my practice, I strive to create a space that honours the uniqueness and individuality of each of my client’s experience with warmth and compassion. I value the true courage it takes to look within oneself, understand what is hindering us, and work to overcome our adversities and I consider it a true honour to support you in your healing journey. To me, each client is the expert in their experience and I value a collaborative approach in which each client is provided the freedom and non-judgmental space to explore their goals and how they wish to accomplish them freely and openly.