MY STORY

Hello, I am Annette, and my preferred pronouns are she/her.

I have always been curious about the human condition, and I deeply feel the pain and injustice of the world. It led me to graduate with a BA in Social Work and later to complete an MA in Liberal Studies. I became a counsellor to help others live freely and bring all of themselves to their one beautiful life.

I have struggled with low self-esteem, anger, anxiety, grief, depression and challenging relationships earlier in life. I spent countless hours doing my own learning and healing, and I came through it to a place of strength and peace where I treat myself with compassion and care.

Because I've been through it, I know you can change your life and experience freedom, joy, and connection. I have the skills to support you to reach your goals and live the life you deserve.

Outside counselling, you will find me reading, creating art, writing poetry, or enjoying nature with my two very cute dogs.

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CREDENTIALS

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC # 3052) - Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists (ACCT)
Registered Social Worker (RSW # 15026) - BC College of Social Workers
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) - Yoga Alliance

EDUCATION

3-Year Transpersonal Therapeutic Counselling Diploma, Clearmind International Institute
MA Liberal Studies, Simon Fraser University
BA in Social Work, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Mental Health & Addiction: Anxiety, depression, substance use and process addiction recovery, and more.
Grief & Loss: Bereavement, relationship breakup, eco-grief and anxiety, life transitions, loss due to health, and more.
Trauma: Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic life events, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse.
Gender & Sexuality: Identity-affirming care for trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ positive counseling, Asexual allied.
Personal Growth: Self-esteem, self-worth, self-acceptance, motivation, finding purpose and meaning, spiritual integration, and growth.

MY APPROACH

I draw on many different psychotherapies to help you make lasting changes in your life

My approach is holistic and integrative, and I am committed to helping you discover what works for you. I use Experiential and Relational psychotherapy, ACT, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt, Family Systems Theory, Expressive Arts Therapy, Person-centered, Mindfulness, and Somatic techniques.

I'm kind and encouraging, and I believe in your ability to change

I will meet you where you are, be present in the difficult moments and celebrate the good ones with you. We may work together to help you experience your feelings or sensations, draw on the power of your imagination, practice new skills, or try a creative exercise together.

I am holistic and explore all facets of who you are while focusing on what you find most important

All parts of you are welcome with me, the ones you like and don't like. Your feelings, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, spiritual experiences and relationships are equally important. I will see you as a whole person in the context of your family, culture, history, community and the systems of oppression that impacted you.

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WHAT I STAND FOR

CREATIVITY

I believe in the power of imagination and creativity to find new insights and solutions to life's challenges.

AUTHENTICITY

I believe in being honest and humble in my encounters with people and that authenticity brings about connection and change.

EQUALITY & BELONGING

I believe that healing ourselves and our world requires us to address all systems of oppression.

NATURE

I believe our connection to the non-human world shapes our understanding of ourselves, and that understanding impacts our health and well-being.

COMPASSION

I believe compassion can free us from unnecessary guilt and shame and facilitates growth.

CONNECTION

I deeply believe in the power of connection. When others truly see and hear us, we can heal.

INNER WISDOM

I believe that we all have the potential to grow, heal and change and have the wisdom to discern our own paths forward.

MINDFULNESS

I believe being present in our bodies, our emotions, and our thoughts can bring us into a more positive relationship with ourselves and others.

“Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”