Click on all three of my locations to see my full availability
I am honoured to be part of the skilled and compassionate team at Island Clinical Counselling, providing support for adults, youth, children, couples, and families. I believe in working collaboratively and meeting you where you are, every step of the way. I am committed to using evidence-based therapies, delivered in a person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally inclusive way.
I aim to provide affirming care that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse identities. I work with individuals with confirmed or suspected neurodiversity and those navigating later in life discovery.
I specialize in cognitive, behavioural, and mindfulness-based treatments for anxiety-related concerns, mood and emotion regulation, panic, obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD), hoarding, phobias, BFRBs, tics, chronic health issues, tinnitus, body image, eating concerns, and trauma. My background is in exposure and response prevention (ERP) and I also offer virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). If you are curious about how VR therapy might support you or your child in managing fear or anxiety, please book a free consult to explore this option.
I incorporate leading trauma therapies including cognitive processing therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and EMDR, which uses visual, auditory, or tactile dual attention stimulation to support trauma processing.
I have a special interest in supporting individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and parenthood. My graduate research focused on the impact of fertility-related stress on individuals and couples.
I work with both monogamous and consensual non-monogamous relationships, using emotion focused therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method to support communication and connection.
Areas of Focus:
Anxiety, Panic, Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviours (OCD)
Depression and Mood Concerns
PTSD and Trauma Processing
Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) and Autism Support (Confirmed and Unconfirmed), Late Discovery
Tics and Tourette’s
Misophonia
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (picking, pulling, nail biting)
Fertility Challenges, Secondary Infertility
Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health
Parenting Support, Parent-Child Relationships
Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Body Image, Eating Concerns, Self-esteem, Health-At-Every-Size (HAES)
Chronic Health Issues, Chronic Pain
Tinnitus
Sleep Issues, Insomnia
Relationship Counselling
Family Relationships
Narcissistic Trauma
Identity and Career Exploration
Child and Youth Counselling
Education and Training:
Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Thompson Rivers University
CBT-Insomnia
Inference based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD with Neurodivergent Populations
San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Tics and Tourette’s (CBIT)
Habit Reversal Therapy for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs)
EMDR (EMDRIA Approved basic training)
Narcissistic Abuse Trauma Care for Survivors
Virtual Reality for Anxiety and Phobia Treatment (VRET)
Parent-child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Families
The Gottman Method for Couples, Level 1 & 2
Managing chronic pain
SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (learn more in our blog post)
Group Therapy:
Chill League, ages 9-13 in person in Parksville (ages flexible)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group for Teens (13-17) – on Zoom
Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to some insurance plans (Greenshield, Sun Life, Canada Life, Blue Cross, Telus eclaims), see them here.
Age ranges served: All children, youth and adults
Session Types: Couples, individual adults, individual children and youth, families, in person sessions or virtual.
Email: sondra.petrus@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 121
Text: 778-410-5510
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: 150-175 dollars. (Registered Clinician Rates)
CCPA CCC 11248969
BCACC RCC 21942
Location: I work out of the downtown Nanaimo office on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I am in North Nanaimo on Wednesdays. I work in Parksville Tuesdays.
