Counselling Interns

I prefer in utilizing an integrative approach in which they blend different but complimentary theories to work with their client in the most effective way. This flexible approach enables the counselling experience to be tailored to the individual needs and style of each client. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where relationship can thrive.

I have earned my Bachelor’s in Developmental Counseling and Master’s in Psychology from India. Also have 6+ years of experience of working with children and young youth both in elementary and secondary schools as a counselor and as academia support teacher. I plan to educate myself again in Canada starting May 2022 with master’s in counselling psychology. I have experience working with a broad range of mental health difficulties along with life challenges. I have worked alongside parents and teachers and other professionals. My main areas of focus are those who present with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. I also work with those who have experienced grief/loss, life transitions (school, work, moving), anger, bullying/discrimination and conflict resolution.

I am currently a Master of Social Work student at Wilfrid Laurier University. While embarking on the journey to become a private counsellor, I also work with Fraser Health Authority as a Clinician Social Worker with an Assertive Community Treatment Team, supporting people daily with acute mental health struggles. Before this, I lived in Saskatchewan and worked as a crisis counsellor for over seven years, and have extensive experience in crisis intervention, solution-focused, and family-centred practice. I obtained my Bachelor of Social Work through the University of Regina in 2010, and have been a registered social worker in good standing for many years with the provincial bodies.

I have gained experience in counselling families and individuals through crisis situations. What brings me the most joy is supporting families, especially parents, to learn new ways of interacting and engaging with their children, as well as each other, to create more positive family dynamics and happy home lives.

Feel free to reach out if you are looking for assistance in navigating your thoughts and feelings during a difficult time in your life. I would love to provide guidance and empathy to help you to explore alternate perspectives and to heal and move forward toward a new, optimistic, hopeful path in life.

Areas I can support include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Parenting support
• ADHD & Neurodiversity
• Relationships
• Behaviour issues
• Women’s issues
• Self-esteem/self-worth
• Self-harming
• Self-care
• Coping skills
• Trauma
• Grief and loss
• Parenting support

If you are looking for a space to feel genuinely understood, to safely express all of your feelings (even the really scary ones), to vent and hash out difficult experiences or thoughts without judgment, and maybe even to create an action plan for change; I can help.

I serve all communities, including: 

•  Couples and families
•  Poly-various relations
•  LGBTQ2+ peoples
•  Peoples legally required to participate in therapy
•  Peoples experiencing various addictions
•  Peoples experiencing concurrent (at the same time) mental health and substance use concerns
• Anyone with race and/or religious and/or ability based concerns that impact their mental wellness
• Sex workers or anyone with previous sex work experience 

We will work together as a team on the journey to improve your well-being. 

I am currently in the practicum portion of my Master’s Degree in Counseling, which means you will get the benefit of receiving therapy for a reduced cost, and the additional benefits of heightened therapist accountability, and professional guidance from some of the most experienced counselors at our clinic. 

I hold an undergraduate Degree in Psychology, as well as a certification from CAMH for Treatment of Concurrent Disorders. I have been trained by CrossRoads Collective in their newly developed Play Therapy Program, I am Suicide Safe Talk certified, and have multiple years of experience working in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. I believe deeply in the usefulness of harm reduction in all spaces, the legitimacy of everyone’s unique life experiences, and everyone’s capacity for change, whatever that may look or feel like for each individual or family unit. 

I personally believe in a holistic approach to wellness, and subscribe to the understanding that the mind and the soul are not separate from the body. Choosing me to be a part of your therapeutic team means we will assess and address areas of your physical and spiritual wellness that also impact your mental wellness, like sleep, diet, ritual, movement, acts of self love, social relations, and so forth. 

It is crucially important for therapeutic success that you find a therapist that you connect with and feel confident in. Knowing the therapist’s strengths and interests beforehand can be helpful in determining who is a good match for you. The strengths and interests I possess, and am constantly developing are:

• Child Play Therapy 
• Narrative writing for traumatic experiences or childhood traumas
• Understanding and treatment of depression
• Safety planning for those with thoughts of suicide and/or self harm
• Treatment at any stage of the addiction experience
• Practicing effective conflict response
• Working through unresolved/unresolvable experiences or relationships
• Working through divorce (for youth and adults)
• Difficult somatic (body) experiences
• Understanding and treatment of anxiety
• Understanding and living with personality disorders (for the person experiencing and their loved ones)
• Therapy during transition at any stage
• Mind, Body, Soul connection 
• Life Direction work and planning
• Improving communication
• Improving boundary setting and execution
• Grief and loss/Death related therapy

I strive to build a strong relationship with my clients and adopt a client centered approach to ensure that the counselling experience is tailored to the individual needs of each client. I work closely with my clients to identify the root causes of the concerns and problems faced by them. Specific interventions are used to bring about changes desired by clients and a sincere endeavour is made to ensure that the changes are adopted.

I am an experienced educator and have worked closely with individuals and teams for more than 20 years. This experience has allowed me to witness various facets of people’s lives, their thought processes, struggles, highs and lows, etc. Having lived and worked in different countries and by interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds, I’ve experienced both diversity and strong human connection. I am currently completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

I am very passionate about helping young children, youth, adults, couples, and families process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I would be honoured to assist clients to change any form of unhelpful thinking and build healthy coping strategies. I am equally as enthusiastic to work with caregivers and families to support in better understanding the why behind behaviours, strategies for dealing with diverse needs, and personal struggles.

Here are just some of the areas I can help you with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Boundaries
• LGBTQ+
• Self-Esteem
• Communication
• Life Transitions
• Stress
• Family and Relationship Conflict
• Burnout
• Suicide
• Grief
• Identity
• Confidence
• Guilt and Shame
• Codependency

I am currently in the process of pursuing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Upon completing this program, I aspire to obtain certification as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) through the CCPA and become a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC.

Prior to embarking on my master’s journey, I earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in forensic investigation at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. During my career, I gained valuable experience in forensic mental health and providing support to women escaping domestic violence. Through these roles, I developed a profound passion for working closely with clients and facilitating positive transformations through counselling.

Throughout my career and personal experiences, I have come to understand that our identities and the labels we assign to ourselves are constructed over time. The trauma we endure can either shape us, break us, or provide us strategies for survival. It is by addressing the underlying causes of our suffering that we can unlock personal growth and change.

I am eager to collaborate with you on your journey towards self-awareness and insight into your strengths. My objective is to assist you in recognizing how past traumas and experiences continue to impact your life today, and to provide you with the tools necessary to foster resilience.

My counseling approach is rooted in integration, drawing from various psychosocial techniques tailored to meet your individual needs. I embrace a person-centered approach to empower you, build your strengths, and engage in collaborative goal setting.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Boundaries
• Burnout
• Stress Management
• Communication
• Confidence Building
• Interpersonal Conflict
• Self-Esteem
• Life Transitions
• Guilt and Shame
• Personal Development
• Coping Skills
• Life Transitions
• Self-Esteem and Sense of Self
• Self-Talk

I previously worked as a call taker at a crisis intervention line. I spoke with people experiencing acute psychological distress. Using a crisis intervention model, I helped callers manage stressful and emergency situations by developing a genuine and trusting relationship with them. I worked with callers to create personal action and safety plans to help them navigate their unique situations. 

I have been in the hospitality industry for over ten years and have experience working with a wide variety of diverse populations. I offer a non-judgemental, culturally aware, and genuinely curious space for clients to be their most authentic selves. 

My approach to counselling focuses on the uniqueness of each individual and their subjective experiences. Whether you are going through a major life change, seeking help with stress and anxiety, or wanting to build some self-love, I am here to help you uncover your strengths and achieve your unique therapeutic goals. 

Some of the areas I can support you in include: 

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Life-transitions
• Familial and Relationship Issues 
• Burnout 
• Body Image
• Confidence 
• Self-Esteem