Find a Therapist in Chemainus, British Columbia.

I provide a strong sense of safe space for client's to open up. Even though I'm non-judgmental and believe the client should be in the driver's seat, I'm not afraid to grab the wheel when needed! Expert direction is sometimes called for in the therapeutic relationship. I'm a confident therapist who brings over 20 years of experience to therapeutic work. I am fluent in various modalities of therapy, including DBT, ACT and CBT. My goal to support (and gently guide) my clients to live their best lives.

Struggling with anxiety, anger, addiction, or trauma? You’re not alone. Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless is tough, but it doesn't have to be permanent. I'm here to help. With specialized techniques and a compassionate approach, we can work together to find relief, gain control, and rediscover joy. Imagine a life where you feel calm, empowered, and in control. Book your free 15-minute consultation today to take the first step towards healing. Let’s turn your pain into strength and reclaim the life you deserve. Schedule now and start your journey to a better tomorrow.

Psychotherapy offers a deeper, more intentional space to explore patterns, experiences, and emotions that may be shaping your life in ways you don’t fully understand yet. Renee provides thoughtful, trauma-informed psychotherapy grounded in safety, collaboration, and respect. Her approach is steady and compassionate, creating an environment where clients feel supported to explore both present challenges and past experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

We all go through challenges in life, in our past, present, and thoughts for our future. Sometimes we experience, stress, have family struggles, go through loss, or experience mental health challenges. It is during these times that a Clinical Counsellor can provide support and tools to navigate these situations. Individual counselling begins with building a collaborative relationship between you and your counsellor. The relationship can develop in person or virtually. Some clients prefer to have their sessions outdoors or engage in walk and talk therapy. Whatever the setting, therapy is a non-judgmental and confidential space for you to share safely and receive feedback and support.

In psychotherapy, the foundation of our work is a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and collaboration. You bring deep knowledge of yourself and your situation; I bring clinical skills and an outside perspective. Together, we create meaningful change. Our approach balances structure and flexibility—focused enough to work toward your goals, yet open to whatever thoughts and feelings arise each session. This allows therapy to feel natural and responsive to your actual experience rather than following a rigid formula. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, low self-esteem, or feeling stuck, you'll find a collaborative partnership where you're genuinely heard as we work toward the changes you need in your life.

My approach is rooted in creating a collaborative and empathetic space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I believe in the power of a therapeutic relationship built on trust and respect, serving as a foundation for the transformative process of self-discovery and healing. Drawing from various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, and Humanistic approaches, I tailor my methods to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. By fostering a non-judgmental environment, I aim to empower clients to openly express themselves and work towards understanding the underlying factors influencing their behaviours.

Psychotherapy is often used to treat a wide range of challenges, some of which include: poor self confidence, depression, anxiety, career problems, impaired relationships, addictions, etc. As your therapist I will assist you in identifying the key areas you would like to work on. Sometimes people feel so overwhelmed they do not know where to start. Together, we can determine which issues are of top priority. I will assist you in looking at the 'big picture', while initially setting small measurable goals. I will provide you with the support you need to tackle each obstacle head on. Small successes lead to great accomplishments.

Psychotherapy is a fancy word for having someone truly, sincerely, empathetically and without preconceptions or judgements, share your truth with you. It is the greatest honor and also responsibility to hold precious, with respect, everything you bring to the counselling experience. Sometimes that is trauma, shame or guilt. Sometimes psychotherapy includes delving into your past but this is not always the case. If you are wanting to focus on the present, and explore how to make a life more worth living, psychotherapy can provide you the insights you need to make positive change in your life. What is important to know is that regardless of where you are or want to go, you are safe with me.

In my practice as a psychotherapist I assist individuals to understand forces within that cause suffering & confusion. My approach is engaging, compassionate and expansive. I have over 25 years of experience with many types of people from different cultures & backgrounds. I believe most people have a mixture of complex emotions & complicated life experiences. But most everyone is trying to live a better life. People often have ‘scripts’ of who they are & why they came to be living the way they are. I help people develop ways of reflecting on what has been, what is, and what might be. This opens the possibilities for more choices in life. Your life can be different if you want it to be.

The circumstances and issues that you are dealing with are unique to you, but you don't have to face them alone. Every individual has different experiences, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, beliefs, values, attitudes, cultural backgrounds and "upbringings". Counselling sessions are private and confidential, and can provide a way for you to explore your problems and really tune in to your feelings. This is an opportunity to speak freely about your circumstances and release pent up feelings, without having to worry about what others think or feel, and without receiving unwanted advise from family, friends or coworkers. At the root of the problem, there are very real, legitimate and understandable reasons for feeling the way you feel, thinking the way...(view profile to read more)

Psychotherapy involves several types of therapy some of which are Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Focused Integrative Short Term Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. All have positives and negatives as they have tiy work through isssues that have been burried due to emotional pain. The most important component of any therapy is the relationship developed with the therapist who provides a safe caring and nurturing environment in order for you to challenge your fears and work through you issues.