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 from Simon Fraser University (SFU). I'm a long-time mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner, and have taught meditation groups for the past 10 years, and Mindful Self-Compassion for 6 years. My graduate research at SFU focused on women’s experiences of learning and integrating self-compassion into their daily lives, and my undergraduate honour's research at the University of Victoria focused on the impacts of mindfulness meditation training 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 facilitate workshops and mindfulness trainings through Vancouver Coastal Health. In the past, I have worked as a counsellor at Advance Concussion Clinic, have ran trainings and workshops for Family Services of Greater Vancouver, and have conducted 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 from Simon Fraser University (SFU). I'm a long-time mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioner, and have taught meditation groups for the past 10 years, and Mindful Self-Compassion for 6 years. My graduate research at SFU focused on women’s experiences of learning and integrating self-compassion into their daily lives, and my undergraduate honour's research at the University of Victoria focused on the impacts of mindfulness meditation training 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 facilitate workshops and mindfulness trainings through Vancouver Coastal Health. In the past, I have worked as a counsellor at Advance Concussion Clinic, have ran trainings and workshops for Family Services of Greater Vancouver, and have conducted 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 often not 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 psychotherapy 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 love, and learn more about human development, healing, and wellbeing. I'm infinitely grateful for a regular yoga and mindfulness practice in my life, which help me to stay grounded, healthy, and breathing deeply.
I am honoured to live, work, and play in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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 psychotherapy 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 love, and learn more about human development, healing, and wellbeing. I'm infinitely grateful for a regular yoga and mindfulness practice in my life, which help me to stay grounded, healthy, and breathing deeply.
I am honoured to live, work, and play in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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!
*COVID-19 Update: For all inquiring clients, please note that all sessions will be held online via Zoom Pro for the foreseeable future, until the CDC recommends otherwise.
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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 -Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist - IFS Institute (IFSI) -Approved IFSI Clinical Supervisor for IFS Therapy & Practice -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 Energy Medicine - 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: -Certified IFS Therapist - IFS Institute (IFSI) -Approved IFSI Clinical Supervisor for IFS Therapy & Practice -Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 3 - (30 hours; with Toni Herbine-Blank) -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 1 - (80 hours; with Kay Gardner, LMFT; Oregon & California) -Internal Family Systems Continuity Program - (with Richard Schwartz & Senior IFS therapists; Monthly training & consultation) -Sacred Theatre: IFS for Couples - (16 hours; with Kay Gardner; Denver, Colorado) -Program Assistant for IFS Level 1 (80 hours; with Paul Ginter & Mona Barbera) -Support Staff and Training Supervision for IFS Skills & Competencies Training - (84 hours; with Derek Scott; Victoria, BC) Mindfulness & Self-Compassion: -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, & online) -Mindfulness Advanced training and mentorship - (with Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield; online) Other Training Experience: -EMDR Basic Training - (With Dr. Marshall Wilensky, Vancouver) -Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples Externship - (Vancouver Couple & Family Institute) -Gestalt Therapy Intensive - (with Dr. Bea Mackay; Vancouver) -Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Immersion training (with Dr. Diana Fosha; Vancouver) -Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Mindfulness & Trauma (Advanced Training with Dr. Russ Harris, online) -Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for trauma - (with Dr. Janina Fisher; Online) -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety & depression - (with Dr. Melisa Robichaud; Vancouver) -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. |