Welcome

I believe in the power of stories and genuine connection. Many people I work with are navigating relationship and trust issues, feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, or carrying the quiet exhaustion that comes from trying to hold everything together on their own. For some, this shows up as numbing out, shutting down emotionally, or leaning on substances or other habits to get through the day. For others, it looks more like feeling on edge, easily triggered, or overly reactive in ways that don’t always make sense afterward. Often, the most meaningful parts of our stories are the ones we haven’t yet had the space to share.

If you’re feeling stuck, guarded, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. I offer a warm, steady presence and a supportive space where you don’t have to perform, explain everything perfectly, or have it all figured out. Together, we can slow things down, listen more closely to what’s been weighing on you, and begin moving toward something that feels more grounded, more intentional, and more like you.

How I work

My approach is shaped by deep respect for your lived experience. I work in a collaborative, person-centred, and trauma-informed way, with a strong emphasis on safety, choice, and pacing. Therapy with me isn’t about fixing you or pushing for change before you’re ready. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and creating the conditions for things to shift in a way that feels sustainable.

I often draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), narrative ideas, mindfulness, psychodynamic work, and EMDR. With IFS, we get curious about the different parts of you that have learned to protect, cope, or carry difficult experiences. Some parts may rely on numbing or withdrawal to stay safe, while others may react quickly or intensely in an effort to protect you from harm. Rather than trying to get rid of these parts, we work to understand them with compassion and build a more trusting relationship with yourself.

EMDR can be especially helpful when past experiences continue to show up in the present, even when you understand them intellectually. It’s a structured, evidence-based approach that supports the nervous system in processing what’s been stuck, so memories feel less overwhelming and have less pull on your day-to-day life. I often integrate EMDR with a parts-informed and relational approach, always moving at a pace that feels right for you.

What you can expect

People often describe me as calm, empathetic, and easy to talk to. I believe therapy shouldn’t feel clinical or detached. It should feel human. Our work is built on trust, curiosity, and a shared sense of hope, with room for humour when it fits.

My goal is to help you feel seen and supported while gently offering tools that can help you move forward with more steadiness and clarity. Over time, many people notice that emotional numbing softens, reactivity becomes more manageable, and old patterns begin to loosen their grip. Relationships often start to feel safer and more authentic. You don’t have to rush this process. We’ll move at a pace that makes sense to you.

About me

Before training as a counsellor, I worked in education and communications, fields that taught me how to listen closely and pay attention to what often goes unspoken. I’ve spent much of my life close to nature and find something grounding in the way the natural world moves at its own rhythm. That sense of steadiness and presence often shapes how I show up in my work.

I’ve lived and worked in many international places, and I bring a deep respect for people’s complexity, resilience, and the many ways we adapt, heal, and reshape ourselves over time. I see therapy as a relational process, one where change happens not through pressure, but through understanding, care, and genuine connection.

If any of this feels like it might be a fit, I’d be glad to connect and see how we might work together.

Welcome I believe in the power of stories and genuine connection. Many people I work with are na... Read More

Hi, I’m glad you’re here.

I know how hard it can be to reach out for support, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of what comes next. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, burnout, or big life changes, I offer a space where you can talk things through without judgment or pressure.

As a counsellor-in-training, I’m here to listen closely, support you through tough moments, and help you make sense of what you’re going through. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and I’m not here to “fix” you—but to walk alongside you as you find your way forward.

I also understand that things like identity, culture, and past experiences shape how we move through the world, and I do my best to honour that in our work together. For the past 10 years, my work has been rooted in mental health. I’ve spent these years developing a deep understanding of emotional wellbeing, supporting individuals through meaningful connection and continually growing in my ability to hold space for healing.

Outside of the counselling space, I try to make every minute count, playing and learning with my three children. I love spending time in nature—hiking with my rescue pup and kayaking whenever possible. Spending time with loved ones in nature is grounding and reminds me how important it is to embrace even the smallest moments of joy.

If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be honoured to support you on your journey.

Hi, I’m glad you’re here. I know how hard it can be to reach out for support, especially when yo... Read More

Hi! Welcoming a counsellor into the process of “doing life” isn’t easy - well done to get this far. Life brings unexpected and incredibly hard curveballs; it also brings everyday ups and downs. I believe we were not meant to navigate it alone and the perspective of a trained counsellor in an unbiased and non-reciprocal role can be immensely helpful. I offer an approach that seeks to understand your unique situation, and works with you to process, problem solve, and move forward towards where you want to be. I have 15 years of experience in various roles supporting people of all walks of life, including as a social worker with those experiencing life altering illness and persistent pain. I also have worked with those who are struggling with life transition, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, the effects of colonial violence, and relationship challenges. I believe it is critical to offer you immensely practical, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and hopeful counsel.

I incorporate into my practice somatic body work, systems theory, mindful CBT, attachment theory, psychoeducation, and the power of guided visualizations and I welcome you to draw your spirituality into the process. I look forward to meeting you!

Hi! Welcoming a counsellor into the process of “doing life” isn’t easy - well done to get this fa... Read More

Welcome!

Looking for a new therapist can be tough! Sometimes folks are afraid of being judged - they wonder if they’re just too emotional, or doubt that anyone will really understand what they’re going through.

The idea of admitting you need help and reaching out to a stranger for support can be intimidating. This is a big step and I’m glad you’re here.

I bet you’re wondering if I can help you. I’d certainly like to give it a try!

How I can help.

I’m Sarah, and I’d like to make this process as comfortable and effective as possible. Maybe you’re feeling lost in a maze of emotions, or maybe you’ve got some old wounds that just won’t heal. It could be anything from dealing with anxiety, depression, or relationship drama, to coping with loss, trauma, or major life changes. Whatever’s weighing you down, I’ve got your back.

With formal training in critical care nursing and counselling psychology I have gathered several tools and techniques to navigate life’s difficulties.

Picture me as the co-pilot on your healing journey. You’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m here to provide guidance, support, and tools tailored to your needs. I primarily work with individuals using trauma therapies such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (PAT) to guide you into a compassionate understanding of yourself and empower you to move forward in a fulfilling way. I bet at some point you’ve felt alone in a dark place. I would be honoured to join you and we’ll find a way out together - you don’t have to do this alone.

Who I am.

I genuinely love my work, but I also love more than work. I have a husband of over two decades and three teenagers I absolutely adore. I enjoy travelling and get a bit restless if I don’t have a trip booked. I also enjoy doing almost any outdoor activity if the weather is nice. I joke that I’m solar powered. I’m not a fan of the rain so if the weather isn’t nice you’ll find me inside, maybe editing photos and videos, woodworking, listening to an audiobook, or playing games with my family. My family and I are pretty settled in the Cowichan Valley (the traditional lands of the Hul’qumi’num People) on Vancouver Island now, but for several years we lived in the Himalayas where my husband taught in the environment program at a college and I offered mental health services to students.

Enough about me. Let’s connect! I’d love to hear more about you.

Welcome! Looking for a new therapist can be tough! Sometimes folks are afraid of being judged - ... Read More