Alison Ferko, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Alison Ferko, RCC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Neurodivergence  

• Parenting and caregiving

• Identity

• Stress and burnout

• Anxiety

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Neurodiversity-affirming

• Somatic (body-based) approaches

• Parts-work

• Emotions-focused

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH ALISON

My approach to counselling is relational, gentle, and collaborative, and allows lots of space for the client to be the expert in their own experience. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and the courage and vulnerability that it takes to show up in this space; and prioritizing your safety means moving at your own pace. My goal is to help you attune to the present-moment feelings and sensations that we sometimes shy away from (for good reason!), in order to have new experiences that bring us closer to ourselves. 

ALISON’S EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

I graduated with an Honours B.A. in Psychology from Queens University in 2010, and completed my M.A. in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University in 2023. I did my practicum as part of that program at Bodymind Counselling, and have been with the practice since 2023. In the years in between my two degrees, I studied and taught yoga and other movement modalities, and earned a diploma in holistic nutrition from Pacific Rim College here in Victoria.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

The biggest part of my identity during this season of life is being a mother. My partner and I are the parents of two (wild and wonderful) young children in a neurodiverse family, and have had a crash course in the past 8 years in caregiving, trust, acceptance, and resiliency. My own cherished relationship with my counsellor has been one of the greatest resources along my parenting journey.

Outside of work and life at home, I love being near the ocean, reading, walking, practicing yoga, and listening to podcasts.

FEES

Alison’s fees are $160 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Alison is available on Sundays and Thursdays, from 8:30am-2:00pm.

Professional Development and Education

• Anxiety Regulation with Steve Shapiro - AEDP Institute

• AEDP Essential Skills 2025-2026

• Low Demand Parenting - 2026 - Amanda Diekman 

• Anxiety and Demand Avoidance - 2025 - Dr. Naomi Fisher

• Feeling Like a Man: Exploring Masculinity and Shame in Healing Attachment Trauma  - AEDP Institute

• AEDP Immersion - 2025 - with Diana Fosha

• AEDP Anger Seminar - Hilary Jacobs Hendel

• Working with Adults with ADHD - Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall and Dr. Candice Murray

• Basic Principles of Somatic Experiencing

• The Dos and Don’ts of Therapy with Neurodivergent Clients - with Nyck Walsh

• Neurodivergent Somatics, Part 1 - with Nyck Walsh

• Intro to AEDP: How to Be a Transformational Therapist and Put Neuroplasticity into Everyday Action - on demand - with Diana Fosha

• Getting Started or Restarted with AEDP - on demand - with Ben Lipton

• Paradigm Shift training program for parents of PDA autistic children - ongoing

• 500 hour trauma-informed yoga teacher training 

• Holistic Nutrition Diploma - Pacific Rim College

• Anxiety Regulation with Steve Shapiro

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Özlem Maviş, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor

Özlem Maviş, RTC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Breakups, Unrequited Love & Heartbreak

• Trauma and PTSD

• Anxiety and Depression

• 2SLGBTQIA+ Support

• Life Transitions & Identity Shifts

• Immigration and Cross-Cultural Experiences

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Body-centered and Somatic Approaches

• Emotion Focused Therapy

• Expressive Arts Therapy

• Focusing-Oriented Dreamwork

• Spiritually-Integrated Psychotherapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH ÖZlem

I believe that our deepest pain can hold seeds of transformation. When given space to be felt, heartbreak, grief, loneliness, and loss can lead us to a more authentic relationship with ourselves. I offer a safe environment to explore emotions that may feel overwhelming or hidden, opening space for healing and growth. 

My style is gentle and relational, prioritizing safety while encouraging self-compassion and accountability. I may invite you to slow down, notice what is happening in the moment, and bring awareness to your body and emotions. Together, we create experiences of connection and acceptance that may not have felt possible before.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY

If you are feeling burned out or disconnected from your emotions, expressive art therapy can help soothe your nervous system and give rise to unexpected insights. In sessions, we reconnect with creativity and playfulness using colour, imagery, movement, and natural materials – without the need for any background in the arts. Sessions take place in my Fernwood studio, combining guided and intuitive practices that help you move from the head into a more embodied, resourceful state.

APPROACH AND EXPERIENCE

I draw on somatic practices, parts work, and spiritual or philosophical reflection for those exploring deeper questions of purpose and meaning. Together we can explore what will suit you best, and adjust as needed along the way. I love working with clients experiencing heartbreak, life transitions, loneliness, or relationship challenges. I offer sensitive support around neurodivergence, sexuality, trauma, and identity. 

My background includes a BA from McGill University and advanced training in Focusing, Focusing-Oriented Dreamwork, and Spiritually-Informed Psychotherapy. I’m completing a Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychology, and hold a diploma from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. I completed my year-long practicum at Bodymind Counselling, alongside my level 2 AEDP training. Outside of Bodymind, I provide counselling and art therapy to students at an alternative elementary school. Previously, I worked as a community support worker for individuals with diverse abilities for a number of years.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Immigrating alone from Turkey to Canada fifteen years ago deeply influenced my understanding of resilience and belonging. During some of my hardest times, I turned to painting and poetry, and witnessed firsthand the healing power of creativity. Meanwhile, years of therapy helped me explore my queerness, neurodivergence, past trauma, and anxiety. Knowing from personal experience that we are complex beings, I highly value honouring our authenticity and removing shame from the process of self-exploration.

Outside of work, I enjoy freediving, rock climbing, ocean walks, reading, painting, singing, and spending time with loved ones.

FEES

Sessions with Özlem are $150 per 50 minute session, including GST.
Özlem is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) and many extended benefits plans will cover her services, but please check to be sure. Some sliding scale spots may be available.

HOURS

Özlem is available Mondays and Tuesdays 2:30 pm - 8 pm, and Thursdays 8:30 am - 2 pm in the downtown office. She is also available Wednesdays from 2 pm - 7 pm in the Fernwood Art Therapy studio.

Trainings:

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - 2026 - LivingWorks

• AEDP Advanced Skills Module - 2026 - with Kate Halliday

• AEDP Essential Skills - 2025 - AEDP Institute

• AEDP Immersion - 2025 - with Diana Fosha

• Advanced Dreamwork Supervision – with Dr. Leslie Ellis

• Trauma-Informed Grief Support - 2024 - with Shauna Janz

• Kink-Aware Psychotherapy - 2024 - with Sexual Health Alliance

• Intro to AEDP - with Diana Fosha

• Transform Trauma Through Fierce Love - AEDP Institute - with SueAnn Piliero

• Making Good Use of Suffering - AEDP Institute - with Jerry Lamagna

• Getting Started or Restarted with AEDP - AEDP Institute - with Ben Lipton

• Graduate Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy – Vancouver Art Therapy Institute

• Graduate Certificate in Spiritually Informed Psychotherapy - St. Stephen's College

• Focusing Level 4 - with The International Focusing Institute

• Embodied Experiential Dreamwork Certification - with Dr. Leslie Ellis

• Nature-based Expressive Arts Therapy Certification - with World Arts Organization

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Richard Turner, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Richard Turner, Registered Clinical Counsellor (he/him)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Childhood Bullying

• Relational and Developmental Trauma

• Chronic Stress & Burnout

• Autism & Highly Sensitive Persons

• Existential Meaning & Purpose

• Newcomers to Canada

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Body-centered and Somatic Approaches 

• Emotion Focused Therapy 

• Mindfulness-based approaches

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Richard

Therapy with me offers a space to slow down and explore your inner world with curiosity and care. We will work collaboratively, moving at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you, where we can begin to make sense of what is happening beneath the surface. Together we will pay close attention to the ways your past experiences, relationships, and inner world shape how you move through life today.

As we listen to your thoughts, your emotions, and your body, parts of you that may feel hidden, overwhelming, or difficult to access can begin to come into clearer focus. Over time, this process can support a deeper sense of understanding, self-acceptance, and a more integrated relationship with yourself.

I value authenticity, curiosity, and genuine human connection in the therapy room. My approach is warm, reflective, collaborative, and lightened with some humor along the way, with space for both emotional depth and uncertainty. Therapy with me is less about quick fixes and more about developing understanding, safety, and a deeper relationship with yourself over time.

Richard’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University (2026) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hull. My clinical training includes Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), including Level 1 training. I completed a year long internship here at Bodymind Counselling.

My work is informed by both formal training and lived experience, particularly my own experiences of navigating change, identity, and belonging across cultures and countries.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I was born in England and raised in North East Lincolnshire and Suffolk, later moving to East Yorkshire before relocating to Canada in 2018, where I now live in Victoria, on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lekwungen-speaking people.

Outside of my work, I enjoy practicing martial arts and yoga, reading, exploring hiking trails, and cooking. I also have a deep appreciation for animals—especially dogs.

My own experiences of transition and relocation continue to shape how I understand identity, belonging, and the complexity of change. Similarly, my own experience of neurodiversity fuels my interest in supporting others who may be on the autism spectrum, or highly sensitive.

FEES

Sessions with Richard are $160 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Richard is available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings in our downtown location, or virtually.

Relevant Professional Trainings

• AEDP Immersion - 2025

Workshops and Seminars

• Cultivating Therapeutic Presence to Heal Relational Trauma in AEDP, EFT, and Transtheoretically - 2025, AEDP Institute

• AEDP Portrayals - 2025, AEDP Institute

• Intro to AEDP - 2025, AEDP Institute

• The Art of Breathwork - 2024, Scott Davis

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Utku Uçay, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Utku Uçay, RCC (he/him)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Relationships and Couples

• Substance Use and Addictive Behaviours

• Trauma

• Life Transitions & Career change

• Grief and Loss

• Clients with Immigration/Refuge Backgrounds

• Anxiety & Depression

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Parts Work / Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Somatic & Mindfulness-Based Approaches

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH UTKU

Many of the people I work with already understand their patterns but still find themselves repeating them. In our sessions we slow down and get curious about what those patterns have been protecting, paying attention not just to thoughts and feelings but to what the body is holding. My approach is warm, collaborative, and sometimes infused with humour, because therapy, like life, doesn't always have to be heavy.

When working with couples, I'm less focused on solving the argument than on helping both people understand the dilemma they're actually in: what each of them is longing for, and what gets in the way.

Utku’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

My clinical work began in London, on an acute psychiatric ward, where I co-facilitated group therapy under a clinical psychologist. After moving to Canada, I worked in community mental health in Montreal and then Vancouver and spent several years at Covenant House Vancouver supporting youth with substance use and complex trauma. While there, I designed and led a harm reduction-based treatment program in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health and Foundry. I've been in private practice with adults and couples since 2021.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC and a licensed psychologist in Turkey. My training includes EMDR (EMDRIA-approved), IFS, Dr. Sue Johnson's intensive in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, DBT, and ACT, and I'm a certified mindfulness instructor. Across all of it, I work through an anti-oppressive and feminist-informed lens.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I came to this work through curiosity about how the mind works, but it was my own difficult seasons that turned that curiosity into wanting to accompany others through theirs.

I was born and raised in Turkey, and my path since has taken me through Finland, London, and Montreal before I settled in British Columbia, first in Vancouver and now Victoria. Those moves continue to shape how I understand identity, belonging, and the complexity of change.

Outside of work, I watch Formula 1, play volleyball, read novels, and spend time in nature, often by bike, which has become my favourite way to explore Victoria.

FEES

Individual sessions with Utku are $160 per 50 minute session. Couples sessions are $170 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Utku is available Sundays from 10am to 3pm and Tuesdays from 3pm to 8pm and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 8:30pm at our downtown location, or virtually.

Education and Professional Development:

• Integrating EMDR into Clinical Practice, 2024 - EMDRIA-Approved Training

• IFS Immersion: Internal Family Systems Across Clinical Applications - 2024

• Intensive Course in Emotionally Focused Therapy: Attachment-Based Interventions for Couples in Crisis - 2024 - with Dr. Sue Johnson

• DBT Foundational Training – 2024 – DBT board of Certification

• Certificate in Indigenous Studies - 2023 - University of Alberta

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education - 2021 - Cégep de la Gaspésie, Montreal

• Suicide Crisis Intervention and Active Listening Training - 2020 - Face à Face Listening & Intervention Centre, Montreal

• Certified Mindfulness Instructor - 2019 - Canadian Mindfulness Institute

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist - 2019 - Turkish Psychological Association

• Master of Science, Mental Health Studies - 2018 - King's College London, United Kingdom

• BA, Psychology - 2017 - Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Training - 2016 - University of Jyväskylä

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Katelyn Hill, Student Counsellor

Katelyn Hill, Student Counsellor (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Relationships, Attachment and Connection

• Life Transitions

• Self-esteem and identity

• Trauma 

• Stress and burnout

• Substance use 

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• Trauma Informed 

• Somatic Approaches 

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) 

• Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT informed) 

• Narrative Therapy (Informed) 

• Existential Therapy (informed)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT informed)

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Katelyn

My approach to counselling is warm and collaborative, grounded in the belief that the therapeutic relationship itself is as important as anything else that happens in therapy. My commitment is to meet you with curiosity, compassion, and no judgment, so you feel understood and supported as your authentic self.

In session, we'll explore the thoughts, emotions, and narratives that have shaped your experiences, and build treatment goals aligned with your own values. I believe that emotions carry important information, and that by learning to notice, make sense of, and express them, we can better understand our needs and communicate them to others. This in turn can lead to lasting change in our lives.

I also recognize that our lives don't exist in isolation. Relationships, family, culture, and community all shape how we experience ourselves and the world. Understanding your story means understanding these systems too — along with the strengths that have carried you through life's challenges.

My hope is that our work together leaves you feeling more connected to yourself, more secure in your relationships, and better equipped to face life's difficulties with self-compassion and confidence.

Katelyn’S EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I am currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at City University in Canada, and am a student counsellor completing my practicum under the supervision of Sarah Pullman at Bodymind Counselling.

Before beginning my clinical training, I worked in community mental health and social services, supporting youth, families, and individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, substance use, housing instability, and other systemic barriers. These experiences continue to shape my commitment to providing relationship-based, trauma-informed care that honours each person's unique strengths and lived experiences.

My counselling approach is primarily informed by Emotion Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while my practicum training emphasizes Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and experiential, attachment-focused approaches.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Outside of the counselling room, I enjoy spending time outdoors, dancing, running, and getting lost in a good book or podcast. You'll often find me hiking, tending to my ever-growing collection of plants, or spending quality time with the people that I love.

FEES

Individual sessions with Katelyn are $70 per 50-minute session. First appointments with student therapists are $30 per 50-minute session. Limited sliding scale spots may be available, please inquire.

HOURS

Katelyn is available in person and virtually on Sunday, Monday and Thursday afternoons/evenings from 2:30-7pm.

Education and Professional Development:

• Master's in Counselling Psychology (In Progress), City University of Seattle

• Village Workshop Series: Decolonization, Reconciliation, and Culturally Responsive Practice, 2025

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), 2024

• Standard First Aid & CPR Certification, 2023

• Peer Support Training, Inkblot Therapy, 2023

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Andréa Dorrans, Student Counsellor

Andréa Dorrans, Student Counsellor (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth

• Anxiety and Social Anxiety 

• Burnout 

• Grief and Loss 

• Relationships and Attachment Patterns 

• Chronic Illness and Disability 

• Perimenopause and Life Transitions 

• Neurodivergence 

• Belonging and Identity

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• Trauma Informed 

• Somatic Approaches 

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) 

• Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT informed) 

• Narrative Therapy (Informed) 

• Existential Therapy (informed)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT informed)

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Andréa

Many of my clients are creative, insightful people who feel exhausted, isolated, or unfulfilled  after years of trying to conform. Over time, they have learned to edit or minimize themselves to stay safe or accepted. When you share your story, I consider both the wider context and your  unique patterns: how struggle can reflect a mismatch between a person and the systems  around them, and how your coping strategies have helped you and what they have cost you. 

As your therapist, I show up as an authentic person. I’m present and curious, and willing to name what I notice, at a pace that supports your safety and self-trust. I’m interested in work that is felt, and happens in real time. 

Often, meaningful change can look like bringing forward the parts of your story that have been  concealed, including beliefs and feelings that may have felt too tender, unsafe, or complicated to name. When we make space for what has been guarded and explore it with care, the relief can be palpable. Sometimes it’s even joyful. 

With time, our work together can support you to live more fully, for yourself and in your  relationships.

Andréa’S EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I am currently completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology at City University and am a  student counsellor in practicum under the supervision of Sarah Pullman. 

I bring years of counselling experience in community settings, including as a volunteer  counsellor at Citizens’ Counselling Centre in Victoria and in youth-focused crisis support,  helping young people through acute distress. These roles shaped my commitment to ethical  practice and my belief that meaningful change can occur even in brief moments of feeling  connected and understood. 

Outside of clinical training, I draw from lifelong personal practices in yoga and meditation.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I bring much lived experience to my therapeutic practice. While each person’s story is unique, my own includes chronic illness, grief and loss, and surviving interpersonal violence. It also includes post-traumatic growth and embracing my neurodivergent identity. 

In my personal life, I cherish connections with loved ones, all forms of art, deep rest, and simple  pleasures. I find solace and celebration in nature, play and beauty in creative expression,  comfort and joy in my chosen and inherited family, and great pleasure in doing very little. I adore  nothing more than reading a novel in a sunbeam with my darling cat, ZaZa.

FEES

Individual sessions with Andréa are $70 per 50-minute session. Limited sliding scale spots may be available, please inquire.

HOURS

Andréa is available in person on Sunday afternoon/evening, Friday afternoon/evening, and virtually on Mondays from 9-3.

Education and Professional Development:

• Master’s in Counselling Psychology, City University (in progress) 

• AEDP Immersion (April 2026)

• Citizens Counselling Centre Training Program (2023)

• Mental Health First Aid (2023) 

• Indigenous Perspectives Training (2023) 

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) (2022)

• Anti-Racism Response Training (ART) (2021)

• Suicide Prevention (QPR Gatekeeper) (2021)

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Allie Murphy, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Allie Murphy, RCC (she/they)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Anxiety

• Life transitions

• Grief and loss

• 2SLGBTQIA+

• ADHD / Neurodivergence

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Body-centred and somatic approaches

• Radical Self-Compassion

• Emotion-Focused Therapy

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH ALLIE

First and foremost, I believe that healing is possible through the cultivation of safety, connection, and empowerment. Some key values for me are being culturally responsive, socially just, compassionate, and collaborative. My sessions are experiential, relational, and somatically oriented.

Working from a foundation of safety, I encourage and accompany clients to explore difficult emotions and experiences. I recognize that you are the expert in your own life and my goal is to help you uncover your own strengths, wisdom, and expertise. I offer my training and experience and together we work to address the challenges that bring you in, as well as whatever arises in the process. In session, I am deeply interested in your experience in the present moment and will encourage you to shift focus from in-the-head toward body-based sensing and feeling. We will check in regularly to ensure you feel safe and supported by the tools we use, and I welcome input and feedback throughout. 

ALLIE’S EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

I’ve always been drawn to our stories and how we tell them, and I have a B.A. from McGill University and an M.A. from University of Victoria in English Literature. During the pandemic, I returned to school to pursue an M.A. in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, and completed it in Spring 2024. I have experience in queer and feminist organizing, community healthcare, and as a researcher about issues impacting young people at the Centre for Youth and Society. I have spent over 5 years supporting survivors of sexual assault on crisis lines and in support groups. Transformative experiences with my own therapist while navigating grief, loss, and major life upheavals showed me firsthand the power of the therapeutic relationship and inspired me to pursue this path. 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I grew up on the east coast but have lived in BC since 2015, and as a Maritimer, I am happiest near the ocean. My personal experience with grief, loss, queerness, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, and chronic pain inform my practice and my commitment to our collective liberation and healing. To unwind, I love to read, write, practice tarot, attend community acupuncture, spend time by the water, cuddle with my cat, and learn new things (pottery at present).

FEES

Sessions with Allie are $160 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Allie is available on Monday from 9-2, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings.

Education and Professional Development

Working with Adult ADHD Clients – Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall and Dr. Candice Murray – 2024

AEDP Immersion with Diana Fosha – AEDP Institute – 2024

Working with Complex and Sexual Trauma: An AEDP Overview – AEDP Institute – 2024

AEDP Top Ten H.I.T.S. with Ben Lipton – AEDP Institute – 2024

Healing Power of AEDP Viewed Through the Lens of EFT – Dr. Richard Harrison – 2023

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy 2-Day Clinician Core Training – Adele LaFrance & Natasha Files – 2023

Skillfully Responding to Distress – BC Crisis Centre – 2022

Feminist Support Skills Training – SALAL Sexual Violence Support Centre – 2022

Active Listening and Crisis Support Training – SACOMSS – 2013               

Additional Workshops and Webinars

ACT for Beginners – PsychWire – 2024

Getting Started or Restarted with AEDP – AEDP Institute – 2024

Substance Use Disorders Summit – Mental Health Academy – 2024

8-week Nervous System Study Group – Trauma Geek – 2024

A Practical Understanding of Anger from an AEDP Perspective – AEDP Institute – 2024

The Neuroscience of Trauma and Its Healing – AEDP Institute – 2024

OCD-Informed Practice Workshop – Merissa Little – 2023

Neurodiversity-Affirming Trauma Therapy– Therapist Neurodiversity Collective – 2023

Anti-Carceral Approaches to Suicide: Healers & MH Workers – Project LETS – 2023

Transforming Trauma Through Fierce Love – AEDP Institute – 2023

Anxiety Regulation – AEDP Institute – 2023

Intro to AEDP – AEDP Institute – 2023

Embracing All of You: Compassionate Inquiry Meets IFS – Sounds True –2023

Psychological First Aid – Canadian Red Cross – 2022

Anti-Carceral Approaches to Suicide – Project LETS – 2021

Radical Self-Compassion with Tara Brach – NICABM – 2020

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Linnea Strom, Registered Social Worker

Linnea Strom, RSW (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Neurodivergence

• Complex trauma / ACES

• Anxiety

• Relationships

• Chronic Illness and Medical Trauma

• Parenting

• Gender and Sexuality Affirming

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• Somatic Attachment Therapy

• Emotion Focused therapy

• Body-centred and somatic approaches

• Trauma-informed therapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Linnea

I believe that learning about ourselves in relationship to others is some of the most important and hardest work we do in our lives. As a Registered Social Worker, somatic therapist, and life coach, I am passionate about working with folks who want to heal from past and current life experiences, trauma, and limiting beliefs so they can experience more emotional ease and healthier connections in their life. My goal in sessions with you is to create a safe and caring space where we can work together on whatever brings you to counselling. I am keenly aware of the layers present within power and potential for imbalance and seek to create a dynamic where we learn from each other as equals. 

As a human being, I always endeavour to understand how our unique lived experience contributes to both our oppression and to our liberation. I am sexuality, gender, and neurodiversity affirming, and I also bring a personal understanding of these diverse and important aspects of ourselves that continue to evolve throughout our lifetime. I have extensive professional and also personal experience navigating the medical system, and the experience of changing health/ability throughout the life span. I love working with parents and I am informed by both my own parenting and my work with diverse parents, and am inspired by healing intergenerational wounds. 

My sessions with clients are primarily online, but I have found that virtual sessions can be just as deep and meaningful and effective as in person, for many people.

Linnea’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

As a lifelong learner, I have always been deeply curious about the ways in which we connect and communicate. This led to studying psychology at SFU in the 1990’s and again in 2016, taking a coaching certification in 2005, then getting both a Bachelor of Social Work in 2022 and then a Master of Social Work in 2024. In 2025 I completed a two year somatic psychotherapy training. I also practice as a Registered Social Worker in a health authority, which gives me insight and knowledge on how to support folks through navigating health, financial and social service systems. 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I spent most of my life in Vancouver but moved to Vancouver Island a few years ago and love the natural beauty and peace it affords. I’m a parent of two young adults, love being creative (I also obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SFU in 2014!), being in nature, learning almost anything, and strange adventures of all sorts.

FEES

Sessions with Linnea are $160 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Linnea is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, early to mid-morning, and Monday through Thursday, late afternoon/evening. Currently, Linnea is only available for virtual appointments.

Relevant Professional Training

• Somatic Psychotherapy Training - 2023-2025 - Bringing the Body into Practice with Lisa Mortimore

• Masters of Social Work - 2024 - University of Victoria

• Qualified Health Care Provider – 2023 - Adult Guardianship Act (RSBC)

• Bachelor of Social Work - 2022 - University of Victoria

• Educational Psychology post-graduate studies - 2015 - Simon Fraser University

• Social Work pre-courses - 2020 - Thompson Rivers University

• Bachelor of Visual Arts - 2014 - Simon Fraser University

• Coaching Certification – 2005 - Erickson College

Workshops and webinars

• Essential Conversations: Sensitive Questions and Messages in Healthcare - 2024

• Trauma Informed Care - 2022 - Centre for Collaboration Motivation and Innovation

• Intro to Gender Diversity (expanded) - 2022 - Provincial Health Services Authority

• Eating Disorders and Substance Use - 2021 - Fraser Health Authority

• Cultural Safety and Humility - 2021 - Island Health

• Responding to Gender-Based Violence - 2021 - Provincial Health Services Authority

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Tania Suzuki, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Tania Suzuki, RCC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

•   ⁠Anxiety and Depression

• ⁠  ⁠Newcomers, immigration, multi-cultural issues

• ⁠Relationships 

• Boredom, burnout, lack of joy

• Chronic pain

• Medically unexplained symptoms

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy

• Somatic Therapies/ Eutony

• ⁠Internal Family Systems (IFS)- Informed Therapy 

• ⁠ISTDP (Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) 

• Explain Pain

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Tania

My approach as a counsellor is fundamentally collaborative. I aim to help you feel safer and stronger to face the difficulties in your life, so that they may become just a challenge, as opposed to a threat. I love helping clients to strengthen their emotional self-regulating capacities. In sessions, you will find me curious, thoughtful and kind.  

I have done a lot of learning about certain parts of the human experience. But I understand that you are the only one who can tell me about you – and that whether you know it or not, you are the expert in you. I see therapy as a chance for us to combine our expertise to bring about meaningful change in your life.

tania’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I have been working with body-mind approaches (from expressive dance to yoga and Eutony somatic practice) for the past 30+ years. 

As part of this long journey, I trained in my home country of Brazil as a psychotherapist, qualifying in 2000. Because of my interest in the body-mind connection, I ended up involved in the field of chronic pain. This brought me to Canada, where I concluded a master’s degree in kinesiology, and studied yoga for chronic pain. I have extensive training in working with pain as a nervous system response, and I have worked in the pain program at CBI for the past 10 years. I have also taught many courses about this topic. 

In addition, I have a lot of training in various experiential dynamic therapies, including AEDP and ISTDP. These are highly effective therapies and I use them to treat all sorts of different issues - from relationship difficulties, anxiety disorders to physical complaints, including chronic pain.  I’m always happy to talk about what we are doing in therapy, and why!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I am a lifelong learner and I love studying the human experience from different angles, from psychology, psychoanalysis and phenomenology, to anatomy and neuroscience. I truly love nerding around, even when I’m not at work. 

In addition I love going on long bike rides, walking my 2 dogs, and hanging out with my family and friends. I am a mother to 2 amazing young adults, and that journey has taught me a great deal. My favourite de-stressors are dancing in the kitchen, and practicing Eutony somatic meditation.

FEES

Sessions with Tania are $180 per 50 minute session.

HOURS

Tania is available Mondays (10-4), Tuesdays (9:30-4:30), Wednesdays (2:30-7:30), Fridays (11-2:30 online only) out of our Quadra and McKenzie location. She also has availability for virtual appointments on Thursday mornings.

Relevant Professional Training

• New Washington School of Psychiatry - 1st year of Core Training in ISTDP (Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) -2023-2024 - with Jon Frederickson and others

• IFS Institute - Internal Family Systems - Richard Schwartz
  IFS Online Circle -- Apr-Sept/2022
  IFS Stepping Stones- IFS Canada - Jan- Apr/2022

• Somatic intervention - Ricki Bernstein
  Working with Grief and Loss somatically - 2021
  Part 3- The Lost Piece: Reclaiming the Body after Abuse 2020
  Part 2 - Attachment Wounds, Then and Now - 2020
  Part 1- The Missing Piece: The Body in the Therapy Room 2020

• AEDP Institute - Level 3 completed in 2021
  Transforming Resistance - Steve Shapiro - 10 months - 2021/2022
  Various Advanced Skills Courses - 2020 - 2021
  AEDP Essential Skills 1 - Ron Frederick 2020
  AEDP Immersion training - Diana Fosha - NYC 2019

• Masters in Clinical Counselling - City University - 2017

• Master's degree in Kinesiology - UBC - Canada, 2013-2015

• Multidisciplinary Pain Management Certificate - Medical School- University of Sao Paulo - 2011

• Professional training in Eutony - Somatic Practice - Instituto Gerda Alexander Brazil - 2009- 2012

• Professional training in Yoga - Faculty of Physical Education - FMU - SP- Brazil 2003-2004/ 2006-2007

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Kelsey Field, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Kelsey Field, RCC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Youth, Young Adults, & Transition into Adulthood

• Relationship Concerns & Couples Therapy (Gottman Method)

• Neurodivergence (Autism and ADHD)

• Depression & Anxiety

• 2SLGBTQIA+ Concerns

• Grief & Loss 

• Self-esteem & Body Image

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• Emotion-Focused Counselling

• Internal Family Systems Therapy

• Gottman Method for Couples

• Trauma-Informed Therapy

• Narrative Therapy

• Self-Compassion Therapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Kelsey

As a counsellor, I aim to create a collaborative, compassionate, and adaptable space where you are supported and empowered as you heal and grow. I approach each session with curiosity, nonjudgment, and humility, and my goal is to walk alongside you as you gain greater self-insight, live with intention, find closure, and heal past experiences to move forward into the future. I believe that as humans, we are inherently adaptable, growth-oriented, and resilient—and that meaningful change, both big and small, is within reach. I hold both counselling and the therapeutic relationship in the highest regard and consider it a true privilege to support clients through this transformational process. I’m committed to helping you navigate the challenges you face, with the ultimate goal of helping you create the future you envision for yourself.

Kelsey’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I completed my Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria. I was fortunate to train at the UVic Student Wellness Centre (SWC), where I had the opportunity to support clients with a diverse range of concerns, including emerging adulthood, relationship challenges, gender and sexuality, suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety, and Autism and ADHD, to name a few. I gained valuable experience in providing trauma-informed therapy, offering compassionate care as an ally to 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, and helping individuals connect with their somatic experience of emotions and broader experience.

I have also worked across various settings within the mental health system, including in mental health case management, an inpatient addiction program, and on a crisis line. These experiences provided me with a broad understanding of the complexity and diversity of the human experience, and I truly value the unique qualities each individual brings to the therapeutic process. I am committed to bringing this breadth of knowledge and experience into each session to offer personalized and empathetic support tailored to your unique needs.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Becoming a therapist has been a lifelong goal, and my passion for the helping field has only grown since I began volunteering at a mental health program nearly a decade ago. This journey has deepened my commitment to supporting others, and I continue to be inspired by and learn from my clients every day.

As an uninvited settler, I moved from the unceded land of the Kwikwetlem First Nation (Coquitlam) to the unceded Lekwungen Territories (Greater Victoria) in 2021 after completing my undergraduate degree in psychology at Simon Fraser University. I’ve lived on these lands ever since, alongside my life partner and our geriatric (yet feisty) cat, Fergus. In my free time, I find balance through hiking, swimming, cooking, watching dramatic reality TV, practicing yoga, and spending time by the ocean.

FEES

Individual sessions with Kelsey are $160 per 50-minute session. Couples sessions are $290 per 90-minute session. Limited sliding scale spots may be available, please inquire.

HOURS

Kelsey is available in person or virtually 8:30 am - 2:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and biweekly Wednesdays.

Education and Professional Development:

• Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology – UVic –2024

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Counselling and Human Development – SFU – 2021

• Level 1 & 2 Gottman’s Couples Therapy—2025

• Unlocking the Power of Narrative Therapy – with Lawrence Murphy —2025

• Treating Stressed Out Couples: 22 Clinical Interventions to Help Partners Set Healthy Boundaries, Overcome Resentment, and Thrive Amid Dad-to-Day Tensions – with Elizabeth Earnshaw—2024

• Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Binging and Body Image - with Judith Matz – 2024

• EMDR Interventions for Recent Trauma Recovery with Dr. Laurel Parnell – 2024

• Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma – with Dr. Arielle Schwartz – 2024

• Empty Chair Intervention Workshop – with Dr. Christina Cook – 2024

• Trauma Therapy Workshop – with Dr. Tim Black – 2023

• Motivational Interviewing Workshop – 2021

• Crisis Support & Active Listening Training – FHCL – 2019

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Christine Hegedus, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Christine Hegedus, RCC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Addictions

• Neurodivergence (Autism/ADHD)

• Complex trauma (C-PTSD) / Adverse childhood experiences

• Anxiety & Depression

• Emotion Regulation

• Relationships

• Existential Issues

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• Somatic Experiencing

• Emotion focused therapy

• CBT/DBT

• Existential therapy

• Polyvagal informed therapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH CHRISTINE

As a therapist, my goal is to help you understand who you are and to help you make sense of what happened to you, so that you can move forward in a more conscious and intentional way. Beyond self-awareness, I believe the purpose of therapy is to transform the negative emotional patterns and beliefs that have been influencing your thoughts, behaviours and relationships. I aim to be a compassionate mirror that helps you uncover your blind spots. My style is warm, non-judgemental and sincere. I am not afraid to gently challenge my clients, nor do I shy away from sharing my own thoughts and experiences, if and when relevant.

CHRISTINE’S EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

In 2023 I completed a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria. My counselling experience includes working at Umbrella Society, providing counselling to individuals living with and recovering from substance use addiction. Prior to this, I worked as a dental hygienist and personal trainer for many years. Throughout my life I have been interested in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and believe that the mind and body are intimately connected.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I became a therapist because I am endlessly curious about humans and the universe, I love meaningful conversations and I love helping people. Of particular interest to me is working with neurodivergent folks, especially those who received an autism or ADHD diagnosis later in life. I was diagnosed with autism in my thirties and am passionate about supporting those who have gone through similar experiences. 

Some of my other interests include comedy, psychology, cults, history, spirituality, physical fitness, cooking and dogs (especially my miniature dachshund Otto). My dream is to eventually move to a more rural area where I can grow my own food and have chickens.

FEES

Individual sessions with Christine are $160 per 50 minutes. Couples sessions are $170 per 50 minutes.

HOURS

Christine is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for virtual appointments.

Trainings:

Level 1 Somatic Experiencing Training

Level 1 Gottman's Couples Therapy - 2024 - Online

Getting Started or Restarted with AEDP - 2023 - AEDP Institute

AEDP in the Treatment of Eating Disorders - 2023

Trauma Therapy Workshop - with Tim Black - 2023

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All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.