About Cheryl
I offer counselling in Victoria BC to adults, parents, and couples, and I’m passionate about supporting people as they navigate life’s challenges. My goal is to help you recognize your strengths, build resilience, and create a healthier, more fulfilling life. I believe our relationships — with others and with ourselves — play a central role in our overall well-being, and I’m here to help you gain insight into these important dynamics.
With experience facilitating workshops for families and communities, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the complexities that shape our connections and influence mental health. I am dedicated to walking alongside you through life’s ups and downs, offering guidance, support, and encouragement as you grow and learn through the process.
I work with a variety of mental health concerns, including:
Anxiety, Self-Esteem & Emotional Dysregulation: I support clients navigating anxiety, challenges with self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation by helping them better understand their thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour. Sessions involve exploring practical strategies to manage overwhelming emotions, build confidence, and cultivate a greater sense of calm and self-compassion.
Couples: Long-term relationships can be deeply rewarding, yet they also come with challenges that test connection and closeness. These can include communication breakdowns, mismatched expectations, personality differences, commitment, anger and stress, and affairs. Drawing on PREP and the Developmental Model for Couples concepts, I help partners explore how early attachment experiences shape their views of love and intimacy, while learning practical tools to strengthen individual growth, deepen their friendship, and improve communication and emotional closeness.
Parenting Support: Parenting is not about perfection but about connection, guidance, and growth—for both you and your child. As a mother of three and someone who has facilitated parenting groups, I understand the unique joys and challenges that come with raising children. Having studied under Dr. Allison Rees for over ten years, I draw on the Living in Families Effectively seminars material to support parents in moving away from control and power struggles toward collaboration, influence, and mutual respect. Together, we’ll explore how your own upbringing may be shaping your parenting today, while finding practical tools to shift unhelpful patterns, strengthen your connection with your child, and bring more self-compassion into your parenting journey.
Women’s Mental Health: I support women through many of life’s transitions, including postpartum changes, motherhood, career shifts, and the experiences of menopause and aging. I recognize the many roles women hold and the unique challenges that come with balancing them. In our work together, we’ll explore ways to cope, grow, and create a sense of balance that feels right for you.
Men’s Mental Health: I am also drawn to supporting men in their mental health journeys, especially around themes of isolation, loneliness, building stronger communication skills for healthier relationships, and the use of pornography. I recognize that many men are encouraged to focus on practical strengths while their emotional needs may be overlooked and go unspoken. I approach this work with curiosity, warmth, and openness, creating a space where men can explore their inner world, strengthen emotional awareness, and find greater connection in their lives.
Loneliness & Isolation: Loneliness and isolation don’t always show up in obvious ways—they can be hidden beneath anxiety, depression, or even perfectionism. In today’s polarized culture, it’s easy to feel disconnected, and social media can sometimes deepen that sense of separation rather than ease it. Therapy offers a space to gently explore these feelings, reflect on life and meaning, and rebuild a greater sense of connection and belonging.
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), PREP Couples Therapy, Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness and Somatic Based Practices, and Attachment-Based Therapy.
Specializations: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Emotional Dysregulation, Life Transitions, Parenting, Women’s and Men’s Mental Health, Loneliness & Isolation, Communication and Relationship Challenges, and Pregnancy/Postpartum Support.
Populations: Adults, Parents, and Couples.
Education & Work Experience: I hold a BA in Psychology, an MA in Community and Regional Planning, and a Master of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle. I have a rich history of training and studying with Allison Rees and Living in Families Effectively (L.I.F.E.) seminars, helping parents and couples enhance their relationships and parenting skills. I also have experience with urban environmental issues and community development projects aimed at combating loneliness and fostering neighbourly connections. I am committed to life-long learning and am continually seeking further education to hone my therapeutic skills.
Beyond the Work: With my three young adults now off on their own, I have more time to deepen my skills to better support my clients. Outside of counselling, I maintain a yoga practice and enjoy time outdoors with my husband of 25 years, kayaking, hiking, paddle-boarding, swimming, gardening and walking our dog. I’m also dedicated to nurturing strong connections with my extended family, friends and neighbours.
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