Hi, I’m Lauren. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) providing counselling in Nanaimo, British Columbia for children, youth, adults, and couples. I offer sessions in both English and Spanish and welcome individuals and families who are looking for a Spanish-speaking counsellor in Nanaimo.

My practice is rooted in the understanding that many of the struggles we experience, including anxiety, trauma symptoms, and relationship challenges, are actually our nervous system’s way of trying to protect us. Many people begin counselling in Nanaimo feeling stuck in patterns they do not fully understand. You might notice intense emotional reactions, persistent worry, or a sense that your body stays on high alert even when you want to feel calm.

In our work together, we slow things down and gently explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion. Rather than seeing these responses as flaws, we begin to understand them as protective adaptations that once served an important purpose. Through counselling, we create new experiences of safety, emotional regulation, and choice.

I integrate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) into my counselling practice to support deeper healing from trauma and distressing experiences. EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps the brain process difficult memories so they feel less overwhelming in the present. This approach can be especially helpful for people experiencing anxiety, trauma symptoms, attachment wounds, or distress connected to past experiences.

When providing counselling for children and youth, I focus on emotional regulation, anxiety, and behavioural concerns. My approach is developmentally supportive and collaborative with caregivers when appropriate. I aim to help young people feel safer in their bodies, their emotions, and their relationships.

Parents often reach out when their child is experiencing anxiety, emotional outbursts, sleep difficulties, or big worries, and they are looking for supportive guidance and tools to help their child feel more secure.

In my work with adults and couples, we explore relationship patterns and communication cycles that may feel difficult to shift. Together we look at how past experiences shape present reactions and begin practicing new ways of responding that feel steadier and more intentional.

I also have experience supporting individuals living with brain injuries and cognitive changes. I understand how neurological challenges can impact identity, emotional regulation, and relationships. My approach is patient, collaborative, and paced in a way that respects each person’s unique capacity.

Across all ages, my goal is to provide trauma-informed counselling in Nanaimo that feels calm, collaborative, and compassionate. I strive to create a space where you do not need to have everything figured out before you arrive.

If you are looking for counselling in Nanaimo, EMDR therapy, or a Spanish-speaking counsellor in British Columbia, I would be honoured to support you, your child, or your relationship on your path toward healing and well-being.

Hi, I’m Lauren. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) providing counselling in Nanaimo, Bri... Read More

Registered Clinical Counsellor

I support children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in understanding emotions, improving relationships, and developing practical skills for lasting change. My approach combines compassion with evidence-based therapy grounded in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma-informed care.

Areas of Focus

• Trauma and complex trauma
• Anxiety and emotional regulation
• ADHD and executive functioning challenges
• Attachment and relationship difficulties
• Behavioural and developmental concerns in children and youth
• Family and parenting support
• Life transitions and stress

Therapeutic Approach

My work integrates evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities tailored to each client’s needs:

• Schema Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)

Therapy is grounded in an attachment-focused and neurodevelopmentally informed framework, recognizing how the nervous system, early relationships, and lived experiences shape emotional wellbeing.

What to Expect

I aim to provide a safe, respectful, and collaborative space where clients can explore challenges at their own pace while building emotional flexibility, self-understanding, and resilience.

Registered Clinical Counsellor I support children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in... Read More

Michelle has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care. Michelle has worked with children, youth and families for nearly a decade. She has completed training in a variety of therapeutic models such as Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Self Compassion, Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sandtray, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy and Prepare/Enrich couples counselling.

Michelle previously worked in the school system supporting children and families with varying complex needs.

Michelle maintains a trauma-informed approach, prioritizing safety and a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients. Her work experiences have reinforced the importance of honouring each individual’s unique life journey and offering nonjudgmental, compassionate care.

Michelle has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Child an... Read More

Hi, I’m Julia, a Registered Social Worker and Registered Clinical Counsellor in Nanaimo, BC, offering counselling for children ages four and up. I also offer depth psychotherapy for sensitive, introspective women who experience anxiety, self-doubt, and self-criticism who long for greater emotional well-being, embodiment, insight, and connection to their true selves. For all people, I provide a warm, relational approach to therapy, supporting individuals and families as they navigate emotional challenges, life transitions, and personal growth.

In my work with sensitive, introspective women, I offer gentle, body-oriented counselling grounded in the humanistic tradition. I believe meaningful change happens through connection, self-awareness, and listening closely to the innate wisdom of the body. Therapy is collaborative and paced with care, creating space to explore emotions, patterns, and experiences in a way that feels respectful, supportive, and transformative.

My approach with sensitive, introspective women is primarily informed by the Hakomi Method, a mindfulness-based form of psychotherapy that helps uncover how early experiences and unconscious beliefs shape emotional responses in the present. By slowing down and working with present-moment awareness, women can develop greater emotional regulation, insight, and self-trust. This approach is particularly supportive for women experiencing anxiety, stress, relational difficulties, or the lingering effects of past experiences.

Alongside my work with adults, I offer child counselling in Nanaimo using Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). Play-based therapy is a developmentally appropriate and research-supported approach that allows children to express emotions, experiences, and needs through play rather than words.

As a child counsellor, I provide a safe, accepting, and non-directive therapeutic space where children are free to lead the process at their own pace. Through a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship, children naturally explore their inner world, process difficult experiences, and build emotional resilience. Child-Centered Play Therapy has been shown to support children experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, behavioural concerns, grief, trauma, and family transitions. This approach helps children strengthen self-confidence, develop healthy ways of expressing emotions, and feel more secure within themselves and their relationships.

Whether I am supporting a child through play-based therapy or working with an introspective client seeking greater emotional balance and authenticity, my intention is to meet each person with openness, compassion, and respect. I trust in the natural capacity for healing and aim to support that process in a way that feels safe, natural, deeply attuned, and meaningful.

If you are looking for a child counsellor, play-based therapist, or somatic counsellor in Nanaimo & Duncan, BC, I invite you to reach out. I would be honoured to support you or your child

Hi, I’m Julia, a Registered Social Worker and Registered Clinical Counsellor in Nanaimo, BC, offe... Read More

Lurline is a registered clinical counsellor, child psychotherapist, registered play therapist, an approved clinical supervisor and a parenting coordinator.

Although she has two decades of experience as a psychotherapist, today she specializes in sand tray therapy and trauma resolution therapies for people of all ages. She has been working with couples, parents and families for many years and draws from a wide variety of models such as Gottman, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Attachment-Focused Family Therapy, ACT, Mindful Self-Compassion and Trauma-Informed Neurobiology.

Lurline is also the Clinical Director for Allius Counselling Services.

Lurline is a registered clinical counsellor, child psychotherapist, registered play therapist, an... Read More

Sheryl is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who works with adults and youth (ages 13+) navigating emotionally complex life transitions. Her approach is client-centred, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed.

Sheryl has a particular focus on divorce and separation counselling, including high-conflict divorce, ongoing conflict after separation, and co-parenting challenges. She supports clients in strengthening emotional regulation, developing healthier communication strategies, and finding clarity during times of significant stress and change.

In addition to her work with adults, Sheryl supports teens and young adults navigating school-related stress, peer and family relationship challenges, anxiety, ADHD-related challenges, and the transition to adulthood.

Sheryl holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has completed specialized training in high-conflict divorce support and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy. She is committed to providing a steady, supportive space where clients feel heard, grounded, and empowered to move forward.

Sheryl is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who work... Read More