Counselling & Psychotherapy

Having compassion starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.
-Pema Chödrön
  • Do you often feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious?
  • Are you tired of your inner critic running the show?
  • Are you struggling to move on from a past or present hurt?
  • Do you want to experience greater freedom, connection, & happiness in your life?

If you're currently struggling with a challenge or seeking meaningful change, then know that you don't have to go through this alone. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with years of training and experience, I can help you move towards more balance in your emotions, clarity in your mind, stability in your body, and connection in your heart. 

Who I work with:

I work with adults, young adults, and teens, to bridge the gap between where they are now and where they would like to be. My style is to collaboratively address distressing symptoms, while also beginning to heal the core wounds that lie beneath them,  re-wire the brain and body's way of responding to stress and threat, and build tools for greater confidence, clarity, regulation, and self-worth.

With time, trust, and courage, counselling can not only help you to cope better, but live a joyful and empowered life. 

My Areas of Specialty Are:
  • ​​​Anxiety & Stress
  • ​Depression
  • Perfectionism
  • ​Emotional & relational trauma
  • Relationship issues

Common issues I also work with are:
  • Gender & Sexuality
  • Anger management
  • Addiction
  • ​Divorce & separation
  • ​Disordered & emotional eating
  • Difficult/traumatic childhood experiences
  • ​Suicidal thoughts
  • ​Spirituality 
  • ​Body image
  • Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion​
  • Chronic Pain
  • Workplace Stress
  • Self-esteem/Self-worth
  • Coaching for wellbeing

My Counselling Philosophy

​The key to any positive counselling experience is feeling safe, understood, and respected by your therapist. I have a highly relational way of practicing therapy, and focus on building connection and trust at the foundation of my relationship with each client. 

Rather than simply focusing on eliminating difficult symptoms, I will work collaboratively with you to explore, identify, and heal the core issues that lie beneath them, at your own pace. This can often involve gaining clarity on patterns of thinking, behaviour, and emotions that might be keeping you stuck or unhappy, supporting you to unburden and heal from past and present hurts, and building practical and holistic skills for relating to yourself, your emotions, relationships, and life's circumstances in a kind and caring way.

​What lies at the core of the majority of challenges that people face is the way they consciously and unconsciously relate to themselves. Although this concept can seem simple at the outset, I believe that developing a loving and compassionate relationship with oneself is one of the most powerful acts that any of us can undertake. At the heart of each person lies incredible gifts of strength, wisdom, intuition, and creativity. Learning to relate to yourself with greater kindness and love frees you up to recognize your own innate gifts, and take meaningful risks in sharing them more freely with the world.

You can read more about the typical stages of therapy here.  

How I Work

 
I combine years of training and professional experience in evidence-based and mind/body therapy from a range of traditions. I blend science and intuition in my counselling approach, and draw on many of the best insights from Internal Family Systems, AEDP, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Somatic Therapy.

The backbone of my counselling work is built on the wisdom of self-compassion and mindfulness.  Cutting edge research and ancient spiritual teachings alike support  self-compassion's positive impact on healing depression, anxiety, trauma, and low self-worth. These practices are scientifically proven to foster greater emotion regulation, self-awareness, empowered choice, motivation, and wellbeing.

Although self-compassion can seem simple, it's often not easy. Shame, trauma, and a host of mental health issues can stay locked in place when inner criticism, low self-worth, and lack of emotional regulation are present and deeply rooted. I will work with you to explore your challenges compassionately, soften your inner critic, and shift your inner dialogue to being supportive of your deepest goals and values in life. 

​Over time, the impact is healing that you can feel and see in your daily life. I like to think of this process as becoming your own best healer and ally!
I also incorporate other highly effective therapeutic modalities (such as Internal Family Systems and AEDP) to help people reach lasting and meaningful change. To find out more about my counselling approach and training, please read here.  

Or, to find out more about me, you can read here. 

Book a Session


​I offer counselling both in person (in Vancouver) and online via videoconference. If you would like to book a session or talk further to find out if working together is a good fit for you, then please contact me to book a free & no obligation ​20 minute phone consultation. 

I look forward to hearing from you, and finding out how I can support you on your healing journey!

Fees

50-minute counselling session: $120.00  + GST
80-minute counselling session: $160.00

  • A limited number of sliding scale positions are reserved for students & those in need. 
  • Check with your health insurance provider to find out if seeing a Registered Clinical Counsellor is covered under your health plan.

Location

My office is located downtown Vancouver, at 610 - 1125 Howe St.
Positive transformation is always possible. Ready to begin or want to learn more?
Contact Sarah today, at 778-683-3362, or at Sarah@CompassionWithin.com.