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Geetika’s journey towards becoming a counsellor began when she felt inspired by an impactful teacher and mentor who encouraged her to learn more about psychology and psychotherapy in particular. She felt excited about the amazing combination of art and science and fell in love with this way of helping others. She went on to complete a Master’s in Applied Psychology with Specialization in Clinical Psychology at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and is currently working on her second Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University here in Canada. Since arriving in Canada a few years ago, she has worked as a counsellor at Pacific Community Resources Society and as a group facilitator for the Y Mind programs at the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.

Areas of Practice

Stress Management

Depression

Anxiety

Grief

Family conflict

Trauma

Self-worth

Pain

Career exploration

Approaches

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy

Mindfulness practices

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Humanistic approach

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

From my own experience I know how challenging it can be to come to therapy, and start talking to a stranger about intimate details of our lives! This can bring up hard emotions like grief, guilt and shame, and I love seeing how courageous people are in leaning into their own vulnerability as a part of working on the hard stuff and making meaningful changes in their lives. To me, this vulnerability is a gift, and one that I, as a counsellor, am truly grateful for.

What is a personal challenge that you have overcome in your own life?

A big challenge for me is when my inner critic takes charge and can lead me to think that ‘no one likes me’, making me feel very alone. When it gets loud I find myself replaying conversations in my head and seeking reassurance from others.This struggle with my self-worth and self-consciousness is an ongoing piece of work for me, but I’m always learning new ways of living with this inner critic and finding more ease and acceptance of myself.

What have you learned from your work?

That we are all deserving of unconditional love, acceptance and support!

Geetika’s journey towards becoming a counsellor began when she felt inspired by an impactful tea... Read More

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Jennifer (she/her) is currently completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia and holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honors) and Minor in Counselling from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her research interests at the Bachelors and Masters level have focused primarily on culture, identity, and promoting the holistic wellbeing of communities. Jennifer has over 7 years of experience working in non-profit and post-secondary settings, including in the areas of peer support, anti-violence work, home share services for people with developmental disabilities, and more recently, in developing health and wellness programming for youth at her local Neighbourhood House. Collectively, her experiences working with a wide range of people, presenting issues, and settings, has shaped the ways in which she approaches the counselling process. More specifically, she endeavours to draw from what she has learned across these various roles to engage in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed counselling with her clients. As a second-generation immigrant and woman of colour, Jennifer is familiar with how it can feel to be caught in the space between different cultures and groups, let alone, while navigating the various challenges that life throws our way. Although this can be a difficult situation for folks to be in, Jennifer is fascinated by how aspects of one’s identity, including their culture, strengths, and community can come together to not only shape their experiences and emotions, but also their journey towards healing. As such, Jennifer looks forward to holding space for folks to partake in sessions as their authentic selves and being by their side as they strive towards their counselling goals.

Areas of Practice: - Anxiety - Relationship issues - Depression - Career and life transitions - Culture - Identity issues - Burnout and stress management - Sexual violence - Trauma

Approaches Used: - Person-Centered - Strengths-Based - Trauma Informed - Feminist - Somatic - Attachment Theory - Solutions Focused - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Jennifer (she/her) is currently completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the Un... Read More

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What’s it like to work with Steph? The heart of all of her work focuses on building a safe relationship where you can feel seen, heard, valued and supported. She meets clients at whatever stage they are at in their journey and feels honoured to facilitate a space that holds the possibility for something new.

Through her warmth, positive attitude, and sense of humour, Steph hopes to bring a light-hearted dimension to therapy that promotes vitality. Her core values include genuine connection, authenticity, zest for life, love of learning, curiosity, and kindness. She approaches clients with an active, client-centered, and collaborative approach that celebrates our unique differences and strengths. Outside of her work at Peak, you can find Steph adventuring in the mountains or by the water, connecting with friends, travelling, enjoying live music, or horseback riding.

Steph uses a variety of personalized therapeutic approaches to empower clients to lead meaningful and self-aware lives. The primary theoretical foundations of her work include CBT, narrative therapy, and solution-focused approaches with an emphasis on emotional processing. She also integrates a trauma-informed systemic lens to foster a contextual understanding of each client’s unique lived experience.

Stephanie completed her Bachelor of Science at UBC in biopsychology and is currently enrolled in her Master of Counselling program at City University of Canada. Her experiences working with a wide range of people and settings have shaped the ways in which she approaches the counselling process with a compassionate, non-judgemental nature and an open mind. She has been in the helping field for over a decade working for non-profit organizations and has a diverse background in the wellness field, educational settings, event coordination, small business management, working with animals, and fashion.

Areas of Practice

Anxiety

Stress Management

Identity

Depression

Grief

Trauma

Self-worth

Approaches

Narrative Therapy

CBT

Humanistic Approaches

Solution-Focused

Trauma-Informed

Mindfulness Practices

What’s it like to work with Steph? The heart of all of her work focuses on building a safe relati... Read More

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Bess is registered with the BCCSW.

I trust in the body’s innate wisdom and capacity to heal from difficult emotional experiences and know that this work can only truly happen when the body feels safe. I see my role as that of a trusted collaborator, allying with you to co-create a space of safety, dignity, and belonging around whatever it is you are seeking to work through and heal. I believe that you hold all of the skill and knowledge you need to move forward in your life and toward the things that matter most to you and am here to support you along the way.

As an intersectional and trauma-informed practitioner, I hold awareness and curiosity around the ways in which we are each uniquely shaped by things like lineage, family and upbringing, community, culture, institutions, and social norms. This shaping is often reflected in both our resiliencies as well as our struggles. I hold that there is deep wisdom in the strategies you’ve developed to keep yourself safe, even those that may no longer be serving you. With reverence for the ways in which you’ve been coping, I strive to offer affirming space in which you can move toward more of a sense of choice and possibility with regards to the changes you most long for.

As a queer and non-binary practitioner, I hold a strong sense of commitment toward, and ally-ship with, those who have not historically found safe and competent care within health and healing spaces. As a person of white settler ancestry, I am equally committed to the personal work of lifelong learning, humility, and practice informed by the ways in which systems of oppression intersect with individual and collective well-being to create conditions of inequity, harm, and trauma.

I hold an MSW with a specialisation in Social Justice and Diversity and have spent the past 15 years working in a variety of community and healthcare settings, with children, families, and individuals. I have advanced and ongoing training in trauma and somatics, the latter of which is an approach to healing and change that centres the experience of our full selves moving beyond thinking alone to include the ways in which our bodies store and process experiences through feeling and sensation. I believe healing work to be the work of stepping more fully into alignment with the things that we most care about and would be honoured to accompany you on this journey.

Areas of Practice

Stress + anxiety Low mood + depression Body image Life transitions Grief + loss Trauma Chronic + life-limiting illness Vicarious trauma/burn-out LGBTQI2S+ communities Trans/non-binary/gender non-confirming communities

Approaches Used

Somatics (Somatic Experiencing certification in progress) Attachment-informed Trauma-informed Mindfulness Self-compassion Parts work (Inner Relationship Focusing) Anti-capitalist, anti-oppressive practice LGBTQI2S+ affirming Sex worker allied Sex + kink affirming

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

There is an inherent courage and rigour required to show up to the work of healing and change and I am continually astounded that I get to witness these qualities on a daily basis. I feel deeply inspired and galvanised by the vulnerability and willingness folks bring into the counselling space. As a naturally curious and unconventional cat, I also love hearing people’s stories and holding imaginative space for all of the incredible and diverse ways in which we can structure and live our lives, to most fully reflect our personal and collective needs and values.

What have you learned from your work?

Healing the way we relate to ourselves is possible! It is by no means a linear journey and can take us to some really unexpected places at times but sticking with ourselves and this work can and does yield meaningful change. I have also learned that when we heal, we do so not only for ourselves but for one another (including both our human and more-than-human kin). As we learn to relate more lovingly toward ourselves, we bring this integrity into all of our interactions with the people and places we encounter and are better equipped to contribute to the societal changes we long to see in our own lifetimes and for future generations. No small thing!

Bess is registered with the BCCSW. I trust in the body’s innate wisdom and capacity to heal from... Read More

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Tanu believes that all people have the innate ability to grow and change, and sometimes we need help along the way. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor Tanu creates a space where you can feel safe to talk about your life and your experiences. She will support you to engage in ways that are honest, respectful, and intentional, to build connections with others, and gain a sense of balance. No matter where you find yourself, Tanu can help you move through the challenges of life and foster insight that will help you grow.

Tanu holds a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. She uses an integrative approach to counselling that is tailored to your lived experience and builds on strengths you already have. Engaging in counselling with Tanu will be a process that nurtures clarity, values authenticity, and encourages connectedness allowing you to make changes that will guide you to your best life.

Tanu’s background in Indigenous health research has given her the skills to work with people from diverse backgrounds. She has over 10 years of experience working in the field of mental health in areas of addiction, anxiety, depression, communication issues, and relationship concerns. Tanu’s has experience facilitating group therapy addressing anxiety, depression, stress management, and couples communication skills.

Tanu believes that all people have the innate ability to grow and change, and sometimes we need h... Read More

Emily (she/her) believes that our mental, physical, and emotional well-being is connected to the systems in which we operate.

With a background in climate science and environmental studies, she draws inspiration from the relationship we have with the outdoors and recognizes the interconnectedness we have as humans to the natural world. This passion for mental health and the environment has contributed to Emily’s interest in supporting individuals who are struggling with the emotional toll that environmental challenges have on individuals and communities. Her personal experience with climate anxiety cultivated her ability to empathize deeply with her clients’ concerns and fears related to climate change, sustainability, and the well-being of our planet. Emily believes that acknowledging and validating these emotions is crucial in creating a safe and nurturing space for her clients to explore their feelings and find resilience.

Emily’s extensive background in outdoor guiding has allowed her to foster trust and create meaningful connections with people from all backgrounds. In addition, she has found that the most rewarding moments occur when someone accomplishes something they didn’t think was possible – whether that be physical or mental – and finds a great deal of joy in encouraging individuals to tap into their own potential. Trained in leadership and facilitation, Emily has also spent the last two years mentoring individuals as they embark on the new stages of their outdoor guiding careers. Her mentorship is rooted in a genuine desire to support the unique needs of each individual while offering empathic and supportive coaching to empower their career development.

Emily’s approach originates from a person-centered, trauma-informed, and curiosity-based framework. She works to tailor her approach to the unique needs of each individual and believes in a collaborative approach to care. Her aim is to empower her clients to navigate their emotions and make informed decisions that align with their values. Emily is also committed to continually learning how to provide affirmative care to marginalized communities and prioritizes the power of the therapeutic relationship and safety within the therapeutic environment.

In her free time, Emily can be found exploring local trails up in the mountains on her skis, feet or bike and loves all things movement. She also loves cooking for people, writing, and storytelling.

emily@peak-resilience.com

Areas of Practice

Anxiety Relationship issues Body image/Self-esteem issues Low mood/depression PTSD Life transitions Vicarious trauma/burn-out/stress management Grief + loss Trauma Nervous system regulation Life meaning and purpose Sexual violence Family conflict

Approaches Used Somatic/experiential approaches Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Narrative Therapy Humanistic/Existential Approaches Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Feminist Therapy Nature-Based Therapy/Ecotherapy

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours? My experience in guiding has and outdoor leadership has taught me the importance of creative thinking and understanding human emotion through a system theory perspective. I recognize that there isn’t one way of doing things and that often what we need is someone to sit with us while we think up unique answers for our unique experiences.

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day? My favourite thing about working closely with people is getting to help make their days a little brighter. I love learning about people’s stories and discovering what makes them uniquely themselves.

What have you learned from your work? I have learned through my work that a good sense of humour can often get us through difficult moments in life.

Emily (she/her) believes that our mental, physical, and emotional well-being is connected to the ... Read More

Harroop Sandhu, MA, RCC RCC# 11994

The biggest predictor of success in therapy is the relationship between the client and counsellor. With this in mind, Harroop strives to foster a sense of feeling seen, heard and accepted in each session. Within these conditions of safety and support, clients can confront difficult emotions to begin the innate healing journey.

Harroop is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with over ten years experience providing counselling support to individuals. Harroop grew up in an Indian family and celebrates the diversity in each client by focusing on their unique strengths and perspectives. She integrates several therapeutic approaches and is skilled in working with clients experiencing a variety of challenges including trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and stress management. Harroop is fluent in both Punjabi and English.

Harroop’s approach is holistic and flexible and determined by the needs of each client. She aims to provide a safe, compassionate, and accepting atmosphere as she empowers individuals to reach their goals while strengthening their resilience. Harroop encourages clients to bring awareness to their whole self, including body, mind and spirit. Through a process of awareness, insight, skill building, mindfulness, and warm support, her clients can learn to navigate and make sense of challenges.

Outside of her work at Peak Resilience, Harroop works with children, youth and families at The Wishing Star Lapointe Developmental Clinic to inspire families to develop the necessary tools to navigate challenging family dynamics while nurturing connections. When Harroop is not working she loves hiking, spending time with family, and finding the best ice cream in town.

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours?

Working in the field of mental health for several years and supporting clients in crisis, I am continually amazed by the innate resilience of individuals. Witnessing the ability of people to meet these experiences whole heartedly and find the inner strength to persevere feels like a gift to me. Additionally, my own experience in getting through tough times has taught me that challenges present a profound opportunity to grow and adapt (even though they might not seem like “opportunities” when we are in them).

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

I feel deeply honoured to do the work that I do with clients. The courage clients display through showing up, being open and putting in the effort to work on themselves is incredible. Being a witness to the healing journey of clients is a gift because it constantly inspires me to do my own work.

What is a personal challenge that you have overcome in your own life?

Growing up in a multicultural household I faced the difficulty of navigating between two different cultural value systems. As a second generation immigrant I felt like I was living between two cultures and communities, feeling like I did not really belong to either. Through my own journey of struggling to find a sense of identity while straddling different worlds, I was faced with the task of finding ways to adapt. Doing my own inner work by going to therapy and developing spiritual practices has helped me appreciate the strength I found in facing adversity. Through my path of self-growth I have come to appreciate the uniqueness of my perspective and experiences.

What have you learned from your work?

Through my work as a counsellor I have learned that each of us has unique strengths and perspectives through our individual life experiences. When we can meet the messiness of life with courage and embrace the hard moments, we have the ability to be transformed.

Harroop Sandhu, MA, RCC RCC# 11994 The biggest predictor of success in therapy is the relations... Read More

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My name is Sumeet (she/her), and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the CCPA. I completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and continue learning through my life experiences.

I believe that no one should have to move through their challenges alone. I create a compassionate, accepting and curious counselling space to navigate these difficulties together. My approach is person centered and holistic with the understanding that you are the expert in your own life and possess the strength to make meaningful change for yourself. I work to meet you where you are at and move forward from there with the use of various counselling approaches that are personalised to your individual needs.

As a South Asian woman with ADHD, I understand the complexities of how we view and relate to ourselves, others and the world and how this can impact our development of identity, sense of belonging and overall well being. I aim to help you untangle and explore the intricacies of your experiences from a trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally sensitive lens. I strive to focus on the whole self, including thoughts, emotions, body sensations and external factors. My goal is for you to feel heard, understood and supported in your journey of healing and growth and to help you find fulfillment, wellbeing and empowerment in the process.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to reach out for support and that I will do my best to be considerate of any barriers impeding your ability to accessing care.

And outside of my life as a counsellor, I spend my time reading, baking (and eating) cookies, enjoying dessert, rewatching my favourite movies and TV shows, walking and hiking, travelling, building new skills and spending time with the people I love the most.

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours?

I am passionate about bringing the resilient aspects of my Punjabi Sikh background into my practice as a counsellor. Some of these include advocating for others, seva (selfless service), community support, knowledge seeking and learning, courage and genuineness.

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

One of my favourite things is the moment when someone recognizes the progress they have made whether that is measurable progress or a shift in feeling. The acknowledgment that they have the capacity to make a difference in their own lives is incredibly heartwarming for me to see as a counsellor.

What is a personal challenge that you have overcome in your own life?

Dealing with a late ADHD diagnosis, one of my biggest challenges was struggling with perfectionism in my daily life as a university student. Over time, I was able to begin holding space for myself, practicing self-compassion and understanding that “doing my best” was an ever changing concept.

My name is Sumeet (she/her), and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC and a... Read More

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Jennifer Hollinshead started Peak Resilience in 2015 with a vision for easy to navigate, high quality, trauma informed, intersectional feminist therapy that transforms not only clients, but counsellors, clinical supervisors, the mental health industry and our world.

Throughout the last 15 (ish) years, Jennifer has used the support of supervisors and colleagues along with curiosity, compassion and critical analysis to help all types of humans discover their power and decrease suffering. She’s learned that the main causes of human problems stem from forces of colonisation, capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy. The world of psychology and mental health was created under the influence of these forces of oppression, so it’s important that mental health practitioners work to dismantle them.

Jennifer provides individual therapy to clients interested in deeply connecting and shifting harmful patterns.

In addition to creating safe-enough transformative spaces with individual clients, Jennifer is hoping to focus her efforts on group consciousness raising, clinical supervision and the sustainability of counselling as a practice. After witnessing some of the most profound healing in individual sessions, Jennifer is excited to combine intersectional feminist, trauma informed therapy with the power of group connection.

Outside of therapy, Jennifer provides consultation, support and supervision to therapists around the world and can’t believe how lucky she is to be surrounded by such strong, compassionate, and authentic humans. Jennifer also educates anyone who will listen on the benefits intersectional feminist therapy, supervision, and the need for all of us to look to Indigenous matriarchs for leadership.

Above all else, Jennifer is a daughter, granddaughter, mother, sister and friend. As an uninvited (white) settler on these stolen lands, she is slowly undoing state imposed ignorance and shifting towards a more decolonised future for our world and future generations.

jennifer@peak-resilience.com

Areas of Practice

Addiction Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Complex PTSD - including repeated trauma, childhood trauma, sexual trauma Depression Anxiety Stress Management and Reduction Goal Setting and Motivation Disordered Eating and Body Image Infertility/Reproduction Struggles Feminist parenting for boys Medical Trauma and Dissatisfaction and Pain from Heterosexual Relationships Intersectional Feminist Clinical Supervision for Therapists

Approaches Used

Intersectional Feminist Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Group Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution Focused Therapy

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours?

No matter how hard I try, my face is very expressive. Clients and counsellors often laugh at my reactions, even when I’m not trying to be funny. I try to tell people when I am amazed by them (I don’t think I should keep those thoughts a secret). Finally, I’ve had my own mental health struggles which helps me understand on a personal level how difficult they can be to navigate.

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

I’m constantly inspired by people’s resilience, strength, creativity and ingenuity when going through difficult life situations. I feel very connected to each one of my clients in ways that are unique to the individual. I have always gravitated to helping people in difficult situations, mainly because I think it’s such a privilege to help them discover their strength. That being said, sitting with pain is hard. I feel people’s pain because I’m a human. So I’ve made sure that I limit the time I’m with people so that I can give my whole self to each person I work with.

What is a personal challenge that you have overcome in your own life?

I’ll speak about the acute PTSD I experienced years ago. I’m grateful I went through it (now that it’s over) but honestly when I was in it I felt out of control, scared and debilitated by my symptoms. I was drinking a bottle of wine almost nightly to avoid the nightmares that terrified me. I had to take time off work (5 months to be exact). I quit drinking, started doing yoga almost daily, went to therapy, started running, ran a few ½ marathons, and once my symptoms started disappearing, I had to learn how to be compassionate and love myself. This is a work in progress.

What have you learned from your work?

There is always hope, resilience and strength. Sometimes we just have to be creative and curious enough to find it.

Jennifer Hollinshead started Peak Resilience in 2015 with a vision for easy to navigate, high qua... Read More

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