About Kate
Welcome,
I’m Kate, a counselling graduate student at the University of Victoria. I have nearly ten years of experience in the mental health field, and in that time I’ve come to deeply admire the innate capacity people have to heal, adapt, and create meaning in their lives. I offer counselling for individuals, children, and couples (of all genders and orientations), and I always aim to create a space that feels safe, compassionate, and authentic.
Much of my work focuses on supporting individuals through major life transitions, including loss, relationship changes, and shifts in identity. My goal is to create a space where clients can gently explore the most difficult parts of their experiences, discover meaning within them, and reconnect with the strengths and values that guide them toward a more meaningful future.
At the heart of my approach is a belief in the healing power of self-exploration and self-compassion. These practices can help us move through life with greater ease, resilience, and a deeper sense of contentment. When we are able to gently look at all parts of ourselves—and allow them to be safely seen by others—we often find more freedom to make conscious choices about how we want to live.
A quote that informs my work:
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
— Carl Rogers
It would be an honour to walk alongside you for a little while.
A little about me: outside of the therapy office, I can usually be found at my house in the woods—helping my exasperated German shepherd herd cats, children and chickens.
Areas of Focus:
Grief & Loss
Relationships
Life Transitions
Identity
Attachment
Anxiety
Depression
Self Esteem & Self Compassion
Somatic Regulation
Parenting Children with Anxiety
Therapeutic Modalities:
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Narrative Therapy (NT)
Education & Training:
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, University of Victoria (In Progress)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Anthropology), Vancouver Island University
Greenberg Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy: 20 Skills to Work with Emotions in Psychotherapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for ADHD
Trauma-Focused CBT Training
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
Cultural Safety Training: Building Bridges
Cultural Safety Training: Paddling Together
Mental Health First Aid Training
ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
Trans Care BC, Introductory Training
Relationship/Couples Counselling Training, NFLA (26 hrs)
Peer Counsellor Training, NFLA (120 hrs)
Peer Counsellor Training, CFLA (100 hrs)
Grief Support Facilitator Training
Professional Affiliations:
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (Student Member)
Age ranges served: All
Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. Couples. In Person or Virtual.
Email: kate.connolly@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 149
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $70 with sliding scale using the Pay What You Can Program
Location: Kate works in Downtown Nanaimo on Saturdays.
Choisissez un service, puis une durée et un mode — les heures à droite suivent votre choix.
