Hello, Beautiful Humans!
I would like to acknowledge that I live, work, and play in a beautiful coastal rainforest in the unceded ancestral lands of the T’sou-ke Nation of the Coast Salish peoples.
My counselling odyssey has been, and continues to be, a bright beacon of light, helping me to navigate through both stormy seas and calm, by outfitting me with the necessary tools to allow me to be firmly at the helm and thus set my own course in life.
I am now able celebrate the many steps and stages of my voyage: from grief and self-persecution to forgiveness; from abandonment to the thrill of connection; from self-loathing to knowing how to love myself, and to be open to accepting the love of others.
I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT #2777) and have a diploma in Transpersonal Psychology. I counsel from a combination of perspectives that include Somatic, Transpersonal, Family Systems, Person Centered, Gestalt, Positive Psychology, and Trauma
Informed orientations.
Applying what I have learned along the way in my own journey has allowed me to realize my authentic self and live more in line with my core values of kindness, curiosity, and integrity.
I believe that we all occasionally drift and lose sight of the shore. I offer to hold safe space and sail beside you on your journey, adding my light to yours.
Credentials
I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, through the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada.
I graduated from Clearmind Institute in 2018 with a Transpersonal Counselling Psychology diploma, and have assisted a number of leadership, and personal growth workshops; as well as supporting classes at Clearmind Institute. Supporting individuals in group settings towards healing, personal growth, and improved connection.
I am a brainspotting practitioner, having completed Brainspotting phases one and two, as well as From Freeze to Thaw, several hours of consultation - private and group, as well as supporting clients to healing utilizing brainspotting.
I am certified in SSP (safe and sound protocol) delivery.
I am completed all of the schooling in a three year Somatic Experiencing program, and in the process of becoming certified.
Personal
I live on Vancouver Island, and everyday am grateful for the wonder of nature that I am surrounded by.
For pleasure I most enjoy spending time with family (human and 4 legged!), and friends. I love to dance, play, and be goofy. I feel joy stepping into new activities, like learning to play the ukulele. I feel alive and connected to the earth during my time spent hiking, and exploring the beaches, forests and rivers of the island.
Susie’s journey…
I am a sensitive and empathetic soul. Growing up as the youngest child, in a fast-paced family, with exposure to painful trauma, created deep, painful wounds and negative believes about myself. For many years of my life I believed that there was something wrong with me. That I needed to hide my true self from others.
It was my desire to help others, and to become a counsellor, that led to personal healing for myself. For how could I assist others in a journey that I had not traveled? With determination, loving support, bravery, powerful therapeutic tools, and a nurturing of those young, wounded parts of myself, I have become free to be myself. To bring myself to the world. This does not mean I have achieved any level of perfection, or nirvana! I continue to grow and stretch myself. I am passionate about supporting others on their healing journeys. I consider myself a fellow traveler on this winding (sometimes wondrous, sometimes confusing and painful) journey of life. I am curious, creative, and think outside the box. I can assist you with the detective work beneficial in uncovering unhelpful believes and patterns in your life. I have a reverence of therapy as a deep, vulnerable, and tender, transformational process, AND also believe that it is a place for laughter, and connection.
If you believe we might be a good fit, I would be honoured to meet with you, and see if I can assist you on your journey.