For Kelsey, working on the inner self is not only meaningful, but full of possibilities for adventure. Through her work as a clinical counsellor, Kelsey walks alongside those who are navigating their internal world, but also spends time exploring her own unique personality. “A great saying is ‘You can’t take people to places you’ve never been before,’” she says, “I think something that I continually learn is that to become a better counsellor, I have to continue to do my own inner work.”
Coming from a career as an international teacher, Kelsey found her next step in life was to become a counsellor and is registered as both a Registered Clinical Counsellor in B.C. and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. “I wanted to do something meaningful. For me, there is nothing more meaningful than accompanying someone on their journey.”
Kelsey holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has a passion for trauma-informed work. She explores how trauma responses can cause us to feel stuck and shut down. She also has great awareness of complex trauma and how this can be rooted in multiple aspects of life, often causing long-term patterns that affect our identities, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. “What I love about working with trauma is the felt sense of change as we start to feel more alive and more like ourselves again,” she says, “I think it’s beautiful work.”
She also has an interest in working with anxiety, depression, substance use, behavioural addictions, cultural and 2SLGBTQI+ support, grief and loss, and burnout.
Kelsey is specially trained in the Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM), which she draws from quite frequently in sessions. NARM addresses nervous system dysregulation and supports inner organization and connection. Talking about and unpacking past traumas is not necessary with NARM, rather it focuses on the present moment. “NARM is a great modality to help anyone get in touch with what they truly want for themselves, and to notice what is getting in the way of that.”
Kelsey also brings emotion-focused and somatic modalities into session along with CBT interventions. She is also trained to offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which is an eye-movement based therapy. “It’s actually a very exciting and creative approach to therapy, which helps clients to overcome obstacles they have been struggling with.” Regardless of the type of intervention, for Kelsey it’s all about working with the client to find the best fit that will support where they are at and promote the growth they are looking for.
After growing up in Alberta and Oregon, Kelsey spent a few years in Spain before making Vancouver Island her home. She joined the team at Island Clinical Counselling this year and has been working with local clients ever since. When not at work, she makes the most of the active lifestyle the island has to offer. She enjoys hiking with her dogs, roller derby, mountain biking, running, hockey, and is currently working on her golf swing!
Kelsey plans on continuing her work and developing her practice through the lens of exploration, curiosity, and growth. She credits a feeling of gratitude for allowing her to be so present with clients and support them in their healing. “I really just feel grateful for getting to do something I love. Feeling that gratitude is the best part of this work.”
Kelsey works out of our North Nanaimo location on Wednesdays and Fridays. She is at our Downtown Nanaimo location on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She offers in person or virtual sessions on these days for clients who are 16+.
If you feel Kelsey would be a good fit for you and are interested in meeting her, book a free consultation through either location. Check out her biography on the About Us page.
Written by Cat Zydyk