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Bess is registered in Ontario with the OCSWSSW, and her BC registration is pending 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 in Ontario with the OCSWSSW, and her BC registration is pending with the BCCSW... Read More

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

Allie (she/her) holds a Master’s of Counselling Psychology from Alder University and received the university’s Social Justice Scholarship in 2020. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC# 20537) and is receiving regular clinical supervision from multiple supervisors including Jennifer Hollinshead from Peak Resilience

Allie aims to create a safe space where people feel understood and truly comfortable opening up. Believing a great therapeutic relationship is essential for positive growth and change within counselling, she fosters a genuine, trusting alliance, providing insight and tools for growth. Allie is flexible in her approach with every client, understanding that every person and presenting concern is individual and unique. Walking alongside her clients on their journey of self-discovery and empowerment, she uses humour and kindness to provide support through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens.

Driven to give back to her community, Allie started volunteering at the BC Crisis Centre in 2017 and was then drawn to a career in counselling as a result of her experience. Given her undergraduate degree was in an unrelated field, starting over academically required a lot of work and commitment. She shares this because she wants those considering her as their counsellor to know that she is driven, passionate about counselling, and human, having learned many humbling lessons in her own personal journey of growth and self-discovery.

Outside of Peak Resilience, you can find Allie hiking, camping, or exploring the outdoors, dreaming of her next travel plans, dancing to live music, or walking her dog Lemon around her neighbourhood.

Allie (she/her) holds a Master’s of Counselling Psychology from Alder University and received the... Read More

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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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As a counsellor, Linnea (She/her/hers) strives to create a safe and comfortable environment to enable clients to feel empowered and true to themselves. She believes that for all people to heal, counselling should be culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed, and respectful.Linnea is truly curious about people and feels honoured to witness people’s stories and help provide tools and support that is appropriate to the individual and their unique circumstances. Linnea has been told that she is caring, resourceful, genuine, and creative.

Linnea has a variety of experience working in helping roles over the past twelve years. She has worked as a college counsellor, substance use recovery centre counsellor, project manager and volunteer coordinator at a harm reduction organization, front-desk and intake at a women’s shelter, and research assistant in the department of social psychology at UVic. She holds a Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Major in Psychology) from the University of Victoria. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

Outside of her work at Peak Resilience, Linnea can be found running, hitting the gym, cycling, making art, walking her dog (a mini husky named Reno), reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.

As a counsellor, Linnea (She/her/hers) strives to create a safe and comfortable environment to en... Read More

Lauren (she/her) works to nurture a warm and collaborative relationship with clients, bringing a trauma-informed and intersectional feminist approach to counselling. Lauren believes that the quality of our relationships impacts the quality of our lives, and she draws on attachment theory to help explore the ways in which our network of relationships shape us throughout life.

Lauren is passionate about supporting clients navigating relationships, sexuality, life transitions, and identity development. She actively tailors her therapeutic approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each person she works with, drawing on existential and experiential therapies in combination with practical cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based tools to support self-discovery, healing, and growth.

Lauren holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from UBC and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. She is also a registered provider with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and is a Certified Complex Trauma Treatment Level II Professional (CCTP-II). Lauren’s clinical experience has led her to work in non-profit, educational, and community settings with adolescents, adults, and intimate relationships. When she’s not at Peak, Lauren works at a small non-profit supporting kids and families moving through the foster care system.

Areas of Practice:

Trauma

Life transitions

Sexuality and sexual identity

Relationships and alternative relationship structures

Reproductive mental health

Anxiety

Depression

Approaches Used:

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Existential Therapy

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

Mindfulness and body integration

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

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

I’ve learned that counselling is most effective when clients feel like they can fully be themselves. It’s also easier to connect with our intuition when we feel uninhibited, so it’s important to me to create a space where clients feel like they can bring out the candid, spontaneous, and raw sides of themselves.

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

It’s amazing to witness someone discover an ‘aha moment’ that entirely shifts their perspective about a situation or about how they understand themselves. These moments are hugely powerful and can create permanent change. Being present for these moments gives me so much energy and fuels my love for this work.

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

As a former people pleaser and a highly sensitive person, I struggled with setting boundaries and saying ‘no’ for a lot of my life. Learning to feel comfortable setting and maintaining clear boundaries has actually allowed me to feel more generous with my time and energy, and keeps me more connected to my own intuition and my needs.

What have you learned from your work?

I am constantly struck by our capacity for resilience and the shared humanity at the heart of all of our struggles.

Lauren (she/her) works to nurture a warm and collaborative relationship with clients, bringing a ... Read More

About Me

I believe that your wellbeing is uniquely yours and my role is to support and guide your growth and healing. From my own lived experiences, I understand that this process can be messy, heartbreaking, and uncomfortable. As your therapist, I will honour your journey and empower you, with compassion and curiosity, to uncover what makes you the person you are. Together, we can nurture a new relationship with yourself and others.

My approach to counselling is person-centered, feminist and trauma-informed. I view each client from a holistic perspective, incorporating what the mind and body communicate, and the cultural and social factors that influence us. When working together, I encourage you to be yourself in a safe and welcoming space.

I am currently working towards a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. As a practicum student, I primarily incorporate Experiential, Existential, Adlerian and Emotionally Focused therapies, but adapt my approach to meet my clients’ needs and personalities. I embrace the diverse and countless ways of being and expressing ourselves.

Question/Answer Section

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day? The privilege of working with people who continuously demonstrate vulnerability and openness when facing fear, pain and oppression. I love being a part of my clients’ process of learning about themselves, releasing what is no longer needed, and choosing personal growth. I consider myself fortunate to be able to spend my working time doing something I enjoy so much.

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours? Before counselling, I was a project manager in the social work field. Having spent many years working alongside some of Vancouver’s most marginalized individuals, I have learned that empathy and patience are key to supporting people. I also understand what it is like to lose loved ones to the impacts of trauma, depression and addiction. From these experiences I have learned to be present and compassionate, with myself and others.

What have you learned from your work? The beauty of life lies in its complexities. Ultimately, we all need to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness. How we have learned to cope with life’s challenges demonstrates our strength and capacity for survival. But sometimes, these coping strategies begin to do more harm than good, which is where therapy can help.

Areas of Practice: Stress Management Boundary Setting Sexuality and Sexual Health Anxiety Grief Family Conflict Trauma Self-Worth Chronic Pain Burnout

About Me I believe that your wellbeing is uniquely yours and my role is to support and guide you... Read More

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

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

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

Notice for Current Clients: Anuschka will be going on parental leave starting Mid-July 2022. Please email connect@peak-resilience.com if you have questions. Thank you!

Please note: Anuschka is not accepting new clients at this time. Please fill out our Finding the Right Counsellor form to determine who will be best for you. Or email connect@peak-resilience.com if you have questions. Thank you!

Everyone deserves to have a safe place to share their inner most private experiences. Anuschka supports her clients as they overcome challenges, develop strengths and skills, and move forward in their lives.

With a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria, Anuschka has developed a holistic and integrative approach to counselling. She guides her clients to achieve clarity, adopt practical tools and techniques, and build a solid foundation in order to create a fulfilling life.

Anuschka creates a welcoming environment that is compassionate, respectful and supportive to achieve the best results for her clients.

In order to meet her clients’ varying needs, she integrates a variety of theoretical backgrounds, such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Brief Strategic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. With clinical experience in the fields of mental health, substance abuse, trauma and developmental disabilities, Anuschka has experience working with people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds.

When she’s not at Peak-Resilience, Anuschka supports students at Douglas College as a counsellor and is a Mommy to her amazing 1 year old daughter.

Whether you are considering counselling for the first time or you are looking for a new approach, Anuschka will tailor her services to meet your individual needs and equip you with the tools you need to live a rich and meaningful life.

Notice for Current Clients: Anuschka will be going on parental leave starting Mid-July 2022. Plea... Read More

Deema believes the relationship you have with your counsellor should be filled with trust, reliability, comfort and warmth. She works alongside you to create a safe space for you to come in and simply be yourself. She understands that being vulnerable can be scary and she views it as a beautiful and honest experience to be shared in a safe, open space. She feels honoured and privileged to hold space for you as she supports your mental wellness journey.

Deema primarily practices from a Person Centred Therapy approach with the inclusion of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness when useful. She believes that a collaborative approach to counselling will encourage and facilitate personal growth towards an individual’s therapeutic goals. We all have our own battles, some feel easier to deal with than others. Regardless of the weight they carry, we shouldn’t have to deal with them alone.

Deema holds a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary and she is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Her counselling experience has ranged from supporting a diverse range of individuals from different stages of life and backgrounds. She has experience helping people struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, self-esteem, boundary setting, stress, crisis, grief and loss, and substance use.

Outside of Peak, Deema can be found reading, painting or candle-making - she’s always trying to learn something new!

Areas of practice:

Life transitions Anxiety Depression Stress Motivation and goal setting Self esteem Communication skills Ending and starting new relationships Grief and Loss Substance abuse

Approaches used:

Person Centred Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Mindfulness Motivational Interviewing Group therapy

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

A personal challenge I have overcome is the grief over the passing of my father last year. My grief has been multi-layered as the relationship with my father was strained for the majority of my life. Therefore while I was grieving his death, I was also grieving the loss I felt as a young child. In my efforts to process my grief, I have sought support from people I trust, I have allowed myself the honest space to feel my feelings no matter how painful they were and arguably most important - I accepted that grief can be a long journey.

What have you learned from your work?

I have learned that while we all have our differences and unique qualities, we all have very similar needs. We all need to feel supported, understood, validated, cared for, and accepted. These basic human needs are not conditional to our race, ethnicity, background, or age. No matter who you are, who you identify as and what your story is - we all deserve to be welcomed into a safe and open space to be who we are.

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

My favourite thing about working closely with people everyday is knowing that I play a role in their wellness journey. I recognize that energy plays a role in our work and I take pride in knowing I bring a positive, warm and comforting energy to the space we sit in. I love connecting with people to understand how our work is benefiting them, where it can improve, what we can try next and what they need less or more of. Being part of your support team is something I hold near and dear to my heart as I believe it is a privilege to hear your story and be part of your healing. I believe the best in people and I enjoy uplifting, encouraging, motivating and giving space to those seeking it.

Deema believes the relationship you have with your counsellor should be filled with trust, reliab... Read More

Yvette is committed to creating a meaningful and consequential difference in the lives of her clients and to restoring hope and optimism in facilitating client change. She provides a safe therapeutic space which supports her clients to heal, grow and move forward with strength, courage, and positive spirit.

In her clinical practice, Yvette takes an integrative therapeutic approach which celebrates unique client strengths and capabilities and involves a balance between clinical judgment, creativity, and flexibility. In an effort to assist individuals to fulfill their full potential and maximize their well-being, Yvette works collaboratively with her clients to create integrated, individualized counselling plans that leverage strengths, improve coping strategies and uncover new helpful perspectives.

Yvette is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who earned a Master of Counselling Degree from Gonzaga University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Major in Sociology, Minor in Gerontology) and a Certificate in Family Studies from Simon Fraser University.

Yvette is committed to creating a meaningful and consequential difference in the lives of her cli... Read More

Raelene believes that by experiencing connection within the therapeutic counselling relationship we can foster better connection with ourselves, our relationships and the world around us. Raelene focuses on creating an open and safe therapeutic relationship where you can discover your authentic self. She also uses feminist and intersectional frameworks to help clients situate themselves and their families in a wider context to better understand themselves and their relationships.

With a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology, a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology, and her experience as a yoga teacher, Raelene brings a holistic approach to counselling. In her work, Raelene uses a trauma-informed approach while honouring the relationship between physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Raelene has over 10 years experience working with youth and young adults in diverse settings including wilderness therapy, residential treatment and outreach. Here is a question and answer article from Raelene about what motivates her to do this work.

Outside of Peak Resilience, Raelene coordinates the Culturally Relevant Urban Wellness program, a land-based program that connects youth to Indigenous Elders, knowledge-keepers and teachings at the UBC farm. When she’s not working, Raelene can be found mountain biking with her dog!

Raelene believes that by experiencing connection within the therapeutic counselling relationship ... Read More

Mik is a registered social worker with a background in healthcare and food security. They hold a Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria, where they also studied gender and sexuality.

We go to counselling for ourselves, but when we take up our healing, it makes our relationships richer, communities stronger, and the world a better place. In holding space for this work, Mik is consistently inspired by their clients’ capacity to transform life’s challenging experiences into the foundation of their own healing. Clients say Mik is emotionally generous and warm, and that they bring a healthy dose of humour and levity to their sessions. Mik’s practice is informed by intersectional feminism, trauma-awareness, client-centred, and strengths-based frameworks.

Mik weaves diverse life experiences into their role as a counsellor. They have over a decade’s experience working for nonprofit organizations engaging with communities to find solutions to food insecurity, poverty, social isolation, substance use and mental health issues, with a focus on seniors, youth and newcomers. These experiences have taught them that connection to community, support systems and the ability to participate in collective change are crucial to our mental and emotional wellbeing. Mik is transgender and nonbinary and their pronouns are they/them/theirs.

Mik is a registered social worker with a background in healthcare and food security. They hold a ... Read More

Lani El-Guebaly, BA, BEd, MEd

Registered Clinical Counsellor #11597, Registered Teacher # L198396

Lani believes in creating a warm and trusting space that can best support personal growth - one where clients are always encouraged to arrive at their own insights. She loves helping people discover and embrace strength and resilience in order to achieve their goals and feel more connected to the people around them.

Lani is passionate about helping people work through a range of struggles including anxiety, stress, depression symptoms, life transitions and relationship concerns. From an intersectional feminist lens, Lani seeks to help people enhance their communication and sense of connection with loved ones. Within her work, Lani honours diverse abilities and uses a variety of therapeutic tools including mindfulness, solution focused therapy, person centred therapy and motivational interviewing. Her main goal is to create safe and respectful spaces where clients can communicate their needs, desires and goals and fully express themselves without the risk of judgment.

Lani has worked in public health and counselling in a variety of capacities since 2005. As a trained workshop facilitator and leadership developer, Lani is extremely adept at helping people embrace their best communication and leadership skills.

Lani is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and also happens to be a Registered Teacher with the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. This duality helps Lani approach wellness from both an educational and supportive standpoint.

Outside of Peak Resilience, Lani works at Vancouver Coastal Health as a Sexual Health Promotion Specialist and coordinates the BLUSH (Bold Learning for Understanding Sexual Health) Program.

Areas of Practice

Relationship Issues Communication Skills Stress Anxiety Sexual Wellness Curiosities Sexual Health Challenges Life Transitions Reproductive Struggles Motivation & Goal Setting Leadership Development

Approaches Used

Strength Based Therapy Motivational Interviewing Feminist Theory Person-Centred Therapy Solution Focused Therapy Trauma Informed Therapy Mindfulness EMDR Emotionally Focused Therapy

Lani El-Guebaly, BA, BEd, MEd Registered Clinical Counsellor #11597, Registered Teacher # L19839... Read More

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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