Find a Therapist in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia.

Psychotherapy is a counseling process which helps you understand why the things that are troubling you have happened. I will ask you to tell me your story in detail and ask lots of questions to help you gain clarity and insight. This is not a quick counseling method but aims to be a thorough one. The goal is to support you in making the changes you need to make to improve your situation. We will identify your competencies and build on them with new skills. Psychotherapy can be an exciting experience for you as you learn to live your life more as you would like to see it. You may experience some discomfort as you confront issues you have avoided but you will see positive growth in yourself.

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 approach to psychotherapy is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in trauma-informed care. I offer a supportive space where you can explore your story at your own pace, without judgment or pressure. Together, we’ll untangle what’s been holding you back, build insight, and develop tools that align with your values and goals. Clients often tell me they feel genuinely seen, supported, and empowered in our work together—and that therapy helps them reconnect with their inner strength, gain clarity, and move forward with greater ease and confidence.

If you're finding that childhood trauma or past trauma is impacting the way you move through the world, the relationships you have (or want but struggle to have), how you feel about yourself, or how stuck you feel in your life in general, Gravitate Counselling Inc. can help. Our counsellors offer trauma-informed therapy, giving you a space to work through the past hurts that continue to affect you. Offering phone and online video counselling to clients across British Columbia, our counsellors can help you understand how your experiences have shaped you, explore what changes you'd like to see in your life, and build the skills to help you move forward.

What Therapy Actually Is Therapy is structured work with a trained clinician aimed at specific change. Sessions are a mix of understanding and action; we make sense of patterns, build practical skills, and test them in your actual life between sessions. My practice is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, drawing on narrative therapy, family systems, solution-focused work, and pastoral counselling as the work calls for them. The goal isn't insight alone. It's a change you can feel in your actual week.

Take the courageous step towards personal growth and lasting change by engaging in my unique style of psychotherapy. I've been a psychotherapist for over 30 years and learned what's most effective from the clients I've worked with in the past. Through collaborative sessions tailored to meet your needs we will explore challenges, uncover insights, determine a path to healing, and develop effective strategies for a more fulfilling life. Unlock your resilience and your potential for happiness!

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.

I am honoured that you are interested in my services and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been described as slightly non-conventional in the counselling world, which suits me perfectly, and also tends to suit youth who are trying to stand up to the force of the problems in their life. I am very comfortable working with this population, and I feel fortunate that I can connect with teens the way I do, conventionally or in a way that makes sense to them.

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 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.

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.

Clients who receive psychotherapy from me will learn about the root of their issues and how to heal these wounds. Many issues we face in life are deep rooted in our childhood or resulting from traumas we have survived and need to be addressed to be truly free and achieve peace and serenity. I will help you learn to live a vital, rich meaningful life and overcome any mental health issues.

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.