Welcome, I'm glad you're here.
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I'm Sarah, a clinical counsellor and educator with a passion for mindfulness and self-compassion. I believe in empowering people to reach their full potential, be healthy in their hearts and minds, grounded in their bodies, and build deeply satisfying and connected relationships - with self and others.
My counselling services focus on cultivating and discovering resilience, compassion, connection, and wisdom, in order to create meaningful, real, and lasting change. I have over a decade of training and practice in psychology, counselling, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, neuroscience, and self-compassion to support my clients. |
I specialize in working with people who struggle with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma (historical and present), and harmful self-criticism. Most of my clients come see me because, despite whatever achievements and success they may have, something still feels like it's missing in their lives, their relationships, or in themselves, and are ready for a change.
I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and have a master’s degree in counselling psychology. I'm a long-time mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner, and have taught meditation groups for the past 8 years, and Mindful Self-Compassion for a little over 2 years. My graduate research at SFU focused on women’s experiences of learning and integrating self-compassion into their daily lives, and my undergraduate research at the University of Victoria focused on the impacts of mindfulness meditation on emotion regulation and mental health. I also combine many years of professional experience in the field of mental health and holistic healing, and have worked with adults, youth, and children from diverse backgrounds in elementary schools, universities, community counselling agencies, EAPs, and spiritual health initiatives.
In addition to seeing clients through my private practice and running Mindful Self-Compassion groups, I work as a counsellor for Family Services of Greater Vancouver, where I facilitate workshops and trainings in suicide awareness, mindfulness, compassionate communication, grief, and Wise Mind. I also conduct research on chronic pain impacts and treatments, with Pain BC.
I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and have a master’s degree in counselling psychology. I'm a long-time mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner, and have taught meditation groups for the past 8 years, and Mindful Self-Compassion for a little over 2 years. My graduate research at SFU focused on women’s experiences of learning and integrating self-compassion into their daily lives, and my undergraduate research at the University of Victoria focused on the impacts of mindfulness meditation on emotion regulation and mental health. I also combine many years of professional experience in the field of mental health and holistic healing, and have worked with adults, youth, and children from diverse backgrounds in elementary schools, universities, community counselling agencies, EAPs, and spiritual health initiatives.
In addition to seeing clients through my private practice and running Mindful Self-Compassion groups, I work as a counsellor for Family Services of Greater Vancouver, where I facilitate workshops and trainings in suicide awareness, mindfulness, compassionate communication, grief, and Wise Mind. I also conduct research on chronic pain impacts and treatments, with Pain BC.
I know from personal experience that beginning counselling and being on a healing journey is not always easy; it takes courage, patience, and an open mind. I also know it can be incredibly rewarding and life-changing. To this end, I'm committed to fostering a safe, collaborative, warm, and non-judgmental space where trust can be built and positive transformation can begin to take root.
I'm fiercely passionate about personal and professional growth, and have had the privilege of studying under a number of psychological and spiritual masters across the world. I've lived in Buddhist and Christian monasteries in Mexico, Colombia, France, and the US; worked in an addictions treatment centre in rural Colombia; taught kindergarten in Honduras; worked for a year in an inner city school in England; and spent 16 months cycling from Victoria, BC, to Medellín, Colombia, in my mid-twenties. I'm continuously committed to my growth as a therapist, teacher, and person, through self-study, ongoing personal therapy and clinical supervision, and post-graduate training.
In my spare time I love to roam the shorelines, mountains and woods of the wild West Coast, ride my bicycle, cook, spend time with people I care about, and learn more about human development, healing, and wellbeing. I'm also infinitely grateful for a regular yoga and mindfulness practice in my life, which help me to stay grounded, healthy, and breathing deeply.
If you would like to learn more about my counselling services, Mindful Self-Compassion, or how we can work together, then please contact me today.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you!
I'm fiercely passionate about personal and professional growth, and have had the privilege of studying under a number of psychological and spiritual masters across the world. I've lived in Buddhist and Christian monasteries in Mexico, Colombia, France, and the US; worked in an addictions treatment centre in rural Colombia; taught kindergarten in Honduras; worked for a year in an inner city school in England; and spent 16 months cycling from Victoria, BC, to Medellín, Colombia, in my mid-twenties. I'm continuously committed to my growth as a therapist, teacher, and person, through self-study, ongoing personal therapy and clinical supervision, and post-graduate training.
In my spare time I love to roam the shorelines, mountains and woods of the wild West Coast, ride my bicycle, cook, spend time with people I care about, and learn more about human development, healing, and wellbeing. I'm also infinitely grateful for a regular yoga and mindfulness practice in my life, which help me to stay grounded, healthy, and breathing deeply.
If you would like to learn more about my counselling services, Mindful Self-Compassion, or how we can work together, then please contact me today.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you!
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Professional training & Credentials:
-Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC member #15164) -M.A. in Counselling Psychology – Simon Fraser University -B.A. (Honours) in Psychology – University of Victoria -Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher - The University of California San Diego, Centre for Mindfulness; and the the Center for MSC -Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance International – The Vancouver School of Yoga -Healing Pathway Holistic Energy Healing - Mentoring with Leslie Black, 2007-present -Reiki Master – Westcoast Reiki -Co-Teacher for the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) – The University of Victoria Specialized Post-Graduate Psychotherapy Training: I continue to develop my skills and expertise as a counsellor through ongoing training and supervision, both locally and internationally. My post-graduate training includes: -Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2, Trauma & Neuroscience - (32 hours; with Dr. Richard Schwartz and Dr. Frank Anderson; Boston, MA) -Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level I - (80 hours; with Kay Gardner, LMFT; Oregon & California) -Internal Family Systems Continuity Program - (with Dr. Richard Schwartz & Senior IFS therapists; Monthly online training and consultation) -Teacher training and mentorship in Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) – (100 hours; with the University of California San Diego, Center for Mindfulness, & senior teachers at the Center for MSC; Missouri, California, and online) -Gestalt Therapy Intensive - (with Dr. Bea Mackay; Vancouver) -Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Immersion training (with Dr. Diana Fosha; Vancouver) -Mindfulness Advanced training and mentorship - (with Dr. Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield; online) -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety & depression - (with Dr. Melisa Robichaud; Vancouver) -Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for trauma - (with Dr. Janina Fisher; Online) -Non-Violent Communication training - (with Raj Gill; Vancouver) -Intensive Mindfulness Training Retreat - (at Deer Park Monastary; California) |
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Are you Ready to Begin?
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Want to explore what's possible for you?
Then please contact me today - I would love to hear from you. |