Discovering your pathway through the landscape of life’s challenges

Cygnus Counselling offers in-person psychotherapy services on Gabriola Island, accessible from Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, and virtually throughout BC.

I specialize in trauma-informed and inclusive care for individuals wishing to understand and heal the impact of relational trauma, early attachment wounding, and to explore personal growth, transitions, and general life challenges.

At Cygnus Counselling, my goal is to help people find their unique pathway towards emotional health, flourishing relationships, and a meaningful and purpose-filled life. Our work together can help you:

  • Understand and attune with your nervous system.

  • Get to know your emotions and improve emotional regulation.

  • Explore and process impactful and traumatic experiences.

  • Improve self-awareness, boundaries, and understand relationship patterns.

  • Decrease feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame.

  • Learn to make value-aligned choices and advocate for yourself.

Learn more about my approach here.

I am currently accepting new clients.

Browse the list below for a description of therapeutic services and approaches.

Not sure what you are looking for? Contact me to book a free consultation.

Therapeutic Counselling for Individuals and Relationships

  • Trauma Counselling

    Trauma from violence and abuse, and relational wounding can impact you in profound and often confusing ways. Your perspective can shrink as you focus on survival and often your relationships suffer, primarily your relationship with yourself. My somatic approach can help you befriend your nervous system and improve emotional regulation. Narrative and feminist approaches provide perspective on society’s role in perpetuating violence, abuse, and systemic oppression. I am a registered provider with the CVAP in BC.

  • Relationships

    Relationships are the juice of life, and they can also challenge us in ways we never expected. Relationship stressors may include personal attachment wounds and trauma, or changing dynamics such as blending families and aging. Relationship counselling can benefit people in any relationship: couple, family, friendship, colleagues etc. Counselling will focus primarily on the individual seeking counselling with additional people joining as needed. All gender and sexual orientations and relationships are welcome.

  • Personal Growth

    How do people balance success and happiness while cultivating their dreams? Self-exploration can shine a light on patterns that may be holding you back. Decisions become more meaningful as you strive for congruence with your values. Personal growth counselling empowers you to make informed choices without compromising your integrity and to strike a balance between your authentic, vibrant self and the structure of systems and culture.

  • Life Challenges

    We would like to believe that life is a comfortable place and that once we “get it right”, we can enjoy a stress-free life. In reality, life has its ups and downs and stressors can challenge your coping skills leaving you feeling distressed and disoriented. Counselling can help by offering a safe and nonjudgmental space to voice your discomfort, feel validated, and gain perspective. Counselling may be short-term and targeted to a specific concern, or longer-term for sustained support and deeper self-exploration.

Therapeutic Approaches

  • Trauma-Informed

    Trauma may have an impact on how people experience and react to situations. Providing information and tools to help people navigate their environment.

  • Personal/Relational

    Using personal knowledge to promote attunement and empathy. Safe and satisfying relationships and a sense of belonging are essential components of mental health.

  • Somatic

    Working with the nervous system to foster feelings of safety and understand your body’s reactions to stress and trauma. Healing relational wounds using body-based interventions.

  • Narrative

    Separating people from problems. People have the skills and knowledge necessary to approach challenges and live their preferred life story.

  • Feminist

    Validating experiences of systemic and invisible oppression. Promoting equity and justice for all people. Exploring the impact of roles, society, and culture.

  • Psychodynamic

    Looking at patterns and childhood experiences to gain greater self-awareness. Bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness to promote new ways of being.

  • Humanistic

    Believing that all humans beings are doing their best. Exploring meaning and collaborating to reach realistic goals based on ethics, values and fostering human good.