Female Therapists in Nanaimo, BC

In my practice I value the opportunity to work with individuals who are experiencing grief and loss, depression and anxiety, parenting and family challenges, and the impacts of trauma. As a clinical counsellor and a mother I offer support to women throughout motherhood, addressing concerns for postpartum depression and anxiety, transitioning to motherhood, intimate partner challenges, burnout, pregnancy and postpartum loss, and processing birth trauma. I work in collaboration with the client to explore the issues and to support their emotional wellbeing and personal growth.

I work with humans around issues such as anxiety, relational trauma, self-criticism, low self-worth, and struggles navigating connection and conflict, as well as the tension between self-protection and growth. Common concerns that bring people to me include social and other forms of anxiety, low mood, eating and body image concerns, parenting challenges, and communication/relationship issues. I see teens, adults, and couples in my practice.

I am committed to offering you insight into areas of your life you want to change and the tools to do so. Known for my forthright style, expect me to push you while balancing this with humour and compassion. Over the years I have helped many people get out of unhealthy relational patterns.

Currently not accepting new clients. I am a trauma-specific therapist and offer support to children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use or relationship difficulties. These symptoms may be rooted in trauma, abuse or wounds from the past or you may be experiencing them for the first time; no matter your circumstance, I am here to listen. I also work with new and expectant mothers who may be struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression, intrusive thoughts, rage, loss of identity, or transitioning into their new role as a caregiver.

We are an online counselling agency so do not provide services in person. Strength Counselling Services has licensed, experienced therapists who use evidence-based practices, prioritize client needs, and maintain ethical standards. We offer culturally sensitive, affordable services in a supportive environment. We offer a comprehensive goals assessment, regularly assess progress, and collaborate with other professionals. We provide transparency in our fees and for thirteen years now have held a positive reputation of trust, and client success. Lastly, ensuring our clients' privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance to us.

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.

Relationship and safety are two core concepts that guide my approach to practice. A grounded understanding in the neurobiology of development and trauma, the role of attachment experiences, as well as contextual factors and a belief in the body’s inherent capacity for healing help inform my assessment and interventions. We heal through knowing ourselves and in connection to the world and the relationships around us.

Jennifer’s own experience of the lack of support on her journey with endometriosis fuels her passion to help women feel heard and understood while going through the difficult experience of diagnosis and living with chronic illness. Jennifer believes that everyone’s experience with therapy is unique, and that client needs, decisions and life paths are respected and part of the counselling process. Jennifer works with clients using a holistic, person-centred approach.

You CAN live without anxiety, stress, overwhelm or burnout! Numb, stuck or simply surviving? We live in crazy times! You’ve lived, loved, worked, possibly married and divorced, raised a family, cared for aging parents, surely succeeded in your unique ways and also dealt with life’s natural challenges and losses too. If a helper-type, other’s needs have likely come before your own. Life happens, and often not how planned. Whether anxious and stressed, have a heavy heart or upset emotions, stuck in unhealthy patterns of thought or behaviors, in loss or life transitions, unhappy in relationships, we ALL need support to shift / grow.

Many young women seek counselling because they have experienced traumatic or difficult situations. I know how these deeply felt experiences can leave us feeling alone, unable to verbalize our distress to those close to us. The lasting impact of past experiences and traumas on current relationships, beliefs and behaviours can keep us feeling stuck in painful patterns. I work with individuals experiencing a range of symptoms including anxiety that impacts daily functioning, disordered eating, body image issues and the impact of sexual trauma. I also specialize in working with those experiencing the impact of complex trauma.

I feel profoundly honoured to support people in their journey toward wellness. My approach is nurturing, respect-based, collaborative, strength-based, and trauma-informed. I love the richness of working with all people, but hope to focus on creating a safe space for men, middle agers, and elders. I am also passionate about working with people experiencing diverse challenges such as life transitions and aging, anxiety and depression, grief, relationship conflicts or issues, stress management and burnout, neurodiversity (adults and youth), and identity, sex and sexuality.

I have had the honour to work with children, youth and adults in various capacities for 15 years.   During this time I have gained experience working in mental health, addictions, employment and trauma.   I have learnt that each client has the capacity to find the answers within themselves, and it is my role to walk beside them as this process unfolds.  I know what it is like to struggle to try do the right thing for yourself, your child or your family, and to not be sure whether you are over or under reacting.  Some things just don't go away- and that's when it might be time to reach out for help.

It is part of being human to at times feel stressed, stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged - wanting some kind of change but finding that things stay the same in spite of our efforts. There are understandable reasons for this. We have a human mind that tries to keep us safe but can limit us to seeing things in the same old ways. We inhabit a human body with a complex nervous system. We live in relationship with other people and have developed patterns of relating. We may have had difficult experiences that have put our mind and body into a “protective mode”. And with support, we have great capacity for healing and growth.

Counselling is the art of illuminating pasts, fostering resilience, and nurturing seeds of positive change.  I weave a tapestry of care, blending the precision of nursing insight with the warmth of compassionate counselling. Your journey is a unique narrative of strength and resilience. My approach is tailored to celebrate your distinct story, guiding you toward holistic wellness and lasting transformation.  As an experienced Registered Nurse with a Master's degree in clinical counselling, my unique approach combines medical expertise and therapeutic skills. Specializing in health and wellness counselling.

I have been working as a counsellor for 28 years and my work focuses on addiction and trauma issues. They often go hand in hand but not always as each person is unique. The focus of my counselling work is very respectful as I acknowledge that you know yourself best. Most people seek out counselling because they are stuck in old patterns that they have outgrown yet need help to move forward in a new, more helpful way. I appreciate the courage it takes to reach out and I will work hard to help you make the changes you need.

Congratulations! You've taken the first step toward seeking support for yourself or your family. This takes courage, so I commend you for being here. I believe that we all possess the potential within us to heal and grow into the healthiest, most confident, successful version of ourselves. Life presents challenges and sometimes we all need someone to guide us along the way. Connection, compassion, creativity, collaboration and a touch of humour reside at the heart of my counselling style. My integrative approach is customized to your situation and draws from a variety of theoretical approaches.

Laurie Larkin-Boyle is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified Art Therapist. As a former teacher, she has 20 years experience working with children and youth. Laurie offers individual counselling for children and youth as well as art therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered and tailored to the individual needs of each client.

Navigating life's challenges can be lonely, overwhelming, and exhausting. I seek to empower my clients along their path to growth and wellness through providing genuine, empathetic, caring, and skilled support. I work with a wide range of ages, from preschoolers to retirees. I offer individual counselling (youth and adults), play therapy, couples, and family therapy.

Like many people, I grew up in an environment where we didn't talk about our struggles and emotions. From an early age, I learned to keep the difficult things inside and deal with my emotions on my own. In 1999, I became a crisis phone counsellor and realized that I wasn't the only one who had had this kind of experience. I realized that a lot of people felt the way I did and kept their emotions inside. For the first time, I learned how healing it could be to share struggles with supportive people.

Many clients I work with feel burnt out, overwhelmed, and stressed. They can be self-critical, struggling in their relationships, and may have a history of trauma. If this feels like you, you're in the right place. I provide a safe, supportive, and compassionate space for you to unpack life’s challenges and integrate new strategies and ways of coping. I offer individual counselling for adults using an integrative and holistic approach to wellness. I draw upon my education and trainings which include EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and yoga. Together, we will take a collaborative approach to attend to your unique needs.

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.

My primary work is to empower young adults and women who are experiencing burnout, trauma, anxiety & depression - particularly if you're a highly sensitive person, creative, empath and/or introvert. Our over-stimulating society can attract us to unhealthy behaviours & unhealthy relationships in order to feel like we belong. Talk and creative approaches to therapy are used which help ground the nervous system, allowing healing & peace to begin. When changes in life feel tough to navigate through, it is vital to have a compassionate & non-judgemental listener to help you feel connected, & find your place in the world- I can help.

My goal as a counselor is to create a safe environment and a trusting relationship so that you the client can explore and be curious about yourself even at those times when it is painful. When we grow we are going to be out of our comfort zone but when we feel safe and trusting we are more than capable to do the work to create a more fulfilling life. I use inner child work as the foundation for the work we do together.Instagram page: innerchildworkwithmia

Hello! I'm Sian Trombley, a certified clinical counsellor and certified elementary teacher. with over twenty years of experience in various roles including school counsellor, administrator, and educational consultant. I am also the founder of www.thrivefamilycourses.com, a company dedicated to offering innovative online courses designed to help families thrive. As a teacher, I leverage my extensive background in education and counselling to enrich my work as a therapist and to develop the courses I offer at Thrive Family Co. My process-based approach to therapy is distinctly creative and personalized.