Find a Therapist in Oak Bay, British Columbia.

Dr Sharolyn Sloat, Psychotherapist, Victoria BC, provides psychotherapy, counselling, and psychological services in a variety of areas to individuals, couples, and groups. Her expertise includes, but is not limited to, Relationship Issues, Addictions Analysis, Managing Emotions & Energy, Personal Growth, Human Performance, Career Concerns, Perfectionism, LGBT Issues, and Balance & Wellness. She takes an action-oriented and solution-based approach while helping clients to clarify, articulate and negotiate their needs and boundaries. Exploration, Enlightenment & Empowerment are the goals.

For me psychotherapy involves a deep listening, a drawing out process, and a dialogue that invites the person to understand their life's journey with a fresh insight into their challenges and successes and potential. There are often undisclosed victories and triumphs that we overlook as we consider our challenges. Acknowledging our hidden strengths is an important component of moving forward.

Shelley helps clients to explore the blocks that are preventing them from feeling in charge of their life. In a safe and supportive environment, Shelley encourages clients to uncover their wounds and unmet needs from childhood so that they can understand their behaviour patterns and how they coped with life's difficulties. Bringing awareness to these patterns with compassion and empathy, Shelley motivates clients towards change, by exploring new ways of coping and offering strategies and new skills that build on client's strengths, while enhancing self-esteem and self-worth. Helping clients develop a clear sense of self with confidence, promotes their potential, and feeling of empowerment.

Psychotherapy offers a safe, supportive, and confidential space to explore life's challenges and better understand yourself. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, workplace stress, burnout, or significant life transitions, therapy can help you gain insight, develop coping strategies, and create meaningful change. I take a collaborative, trauma-informed approach and tailor treatment to your unique needs and goals. Together, we work to build emotional resilience, strengthen self-awareness, improve relationships, and support lasting growth and healing at a pace that feels right for you.

In therapy with me, you’re stepping into a space where you don’t have to perform or hold anything together. We explore the raw, unfiltered parts of your story—the hurts, hopes, questions, and contradictions—trusting that they all carry wisdom worth hearing. I guide you to reflect deeply on your patterns and choices, helping you make thoughtful changes that align with your values. Clients often leave feeling more centered, more compassionate toward themselves, and more intentional in how they live, equipped to move through life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, most of the work we will be doing is psychotherapeutic by definition. In my practice I offer a safe, compassionate space where you can open up and explore early trauma, old wounds and self-limiting beliefs. Our focus will probably involve Family of Origin work and to how to become more clear on what themes and issues were at play as you grew up. More importantly, our work in that area will involve what the consequences of living with that family were and how you can make more authentic and life-affirming choices now.

Did you know counselling can be an effective tool in building self-esteem? Through therapy, individuals can learn to identify and challenge negative beliefs about themselves, develop self-compassion, and learn new coping skills. This can lead to greater confidence, improved relationships, and a more fulfilling life. Don't let low self-esteem hold you back - consider counselling as a way to start building a positive self-image today.

Who are you? Why did you do that? What affect did that have on you? How would you like to do that differently? Together we'll explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and gain some insight in order to increase your sense of well-being, improve your relationships, and achieve higher levels of functioning. We will pay close attention to the information your body gives us, and work at regulating the intense emotion through somatic awareness, inquiry, interventions, and reflections.

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.

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.

In psychotherapy, my focus is to build a trusting and therapeutic relationship with you so that you can safely uncover a deeper understanding of yourself, your thoughts and your feelings. You are unique in your approach and response to change and so there is no limit to the time you need. I am available to support long-term therapy while you engage in self-reflection and personal growth. To facilitate a therapeutic process, I draw on a wide range of skills and therapies that includes interpersonal, person-centred, systems, social justice, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.

My goal is for you to feel better, clearer, and confident that you can make a change; and that you have a meaningful goal to work towards. My first interest is to alleviate the pain and confusion if present through listening and clarifying. My approach is guided by the challenge presented and the change desired. Identifying the key influences is often helpful towards developing motivation and how to move forward.

As a psychotherapist, I provide a safe, attuned, and collaborative relationship where you are supported to resolve patterns of suffering and heal emotional distress. Through psychotherapy you can develop awareness and new strategies so that you can live with more freedom, purpose, alignment, connection and joy. My approach to psychotherapy is primarily psychodynamic. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help you make sense of root causes of emotional suffering to relieve symptoms & increase emotional capacity. It can help you with depression, PTSD, Complex PTSD, anxiety, addictions, and relationship challenges.