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Hi, my name is Shaila and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I am originally from New Zealand and moved to Vancouver in 2000. This was one of several significant transitions in my life and I bring insights from these experiences to my work.
Prior to becoming a counsellor, I was an accountant for over 20 years. This period provided huge learning about issues such as burnout, perfectionism, and stress, both in myself, and people I worked with and mentored. During this time, I also discovered a passion for helping people find balance in their lives through exploring and understanding their self-relationship. Eventually a chronic health issue I had struggled with for almost 10 years forced me to realize I had to start taking my own advice! I began a journey towards wellness that led to a career change and ultimately a transformation in my own relationship with self.
Approach & techniques:
I love supporting people through counselling, as I know what is possible when we begin this journey. It is very rewarding to witness the joy and freedom that emerges when a person begins to align with a truth within themselves.
So how might this look when I work with you? I guide and support you in exploring different parts of yourself, particularly behaviors/beliefs that may unconsciously create distress. This asks for a degree of ownership of your situation and that can be scary. Therefore, I aim to create a warm and non-judgmental space in which we explore together. The goal is to help you get better at recognizing any unhelpful beliefs/behaviours so you can make different choices. Choices that ultimately lead to better emotional and physical health.
My counselling approach is client-centred and experiential. I may use techniques such as expressive-arts or focusing-oriented therapy during our sessions. My intention with these techniques is to encourage a whole-person therapy experience. I believe healing endures when we attend to the mind, body, and spiritual self. Finally, I acknowledge each client has a unique perspective and worldview and I respect this when considering the use of any technique or approach.
Areas of focus:
Early Childhood Trauma: May present in later life as health problems, anxiety, depression, and/or other emotional issues.
Culture & Identity Issues
Life Changes & Personal Growth
High Sensitivity: May present as health problems, work-life imbalance, anxiety, and/or other emotional issues.
Who I mostly work with:
Adults & Teens
