About Our Parksville Therapy Team

Bree Stutt

Are intrusive thoughts, anxiety, compulsions, hair pulling, skin picking, tics, or fears getting in the way of the life you want to live?

Thank you for taking the first step toward creating a brighter future for yourself! I believe that you are the expert in your own life and healing journey.

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, or body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRB)? Or perhaps you’re simply looking for support as you navigate life’s ups and downs? I’m here to help. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts and behaviours, unpack unhelpful patterns, and work toward developing healthier ways of thinking and living—guiding you toward a stronger, more balanced version of yourself.

My primary therapeutic approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), complemented by elements of Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Through these approaches, we’ll examine how your thoughts and actions influence your mental well-being.

As a former elementary school teacher with 18 years of experience, as well as a youth soccer and basketball coach, I also bring extensive experience working with children, youth, and their families. I work with adults of all ages as well.

I also have experience working with autistic children and adults. If your family is eligible, I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit, and I am an approved practitioner.

Areas of Focus:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Athletes
Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders, Phobias
Depression and depressive disorders
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours: picking and pulling disorders (BFRBs), such as Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania
Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Neurodiversity
- Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) and Autism Support
Support for major life transitions, such as support to post-secondary students
Stress Management
Support for caregivers of and individuals with diverse abilities

Education and Training:
I have completed my Masters in Counselling and a supervised practicum. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Exposure Response Prevention (ERPs)
CBT treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)
Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome Treatment: Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in Youth and Adults
Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD specific to Autism and ADHD
SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (learn more in our blog post)

Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information. I direct bill to Saje Funding through the BC Government. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors then these appointments should be covered. I currently do not direct bill to private insurance, please submit your receipts to your benefit plans.

Age ranges served: All
Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. Families and Couples Counselling. In Person or Virtual.

Email: bree.stutt@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 105
Text: 778-313-0804
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $150-165 per session (Registered Clinician Rates)
Registration: BCACC RCC 19810

Location: Bree works in Parksville Tuesday through Friday.

Check out her Psychology Today profile for even more information.

Read more about Bree in our blog post about her! Check out her video below where she interviews Sophie about her OCD experiences.n P

Sondra Petrus

If fear, uncertainty, intrusive thoughts, or avoidance are shrinking your world, therapy can help you reclaim it.

I am honoured to be part of the skilled and compassionate team at Island Clinical Counselling, providing support for adults, youth, children, couples, and families. I believe in working collaboratively and meeting you where you are, every step of the way. I am committed to using evidence-based therapies, delivered in a person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally inclusive way.

I aim to provide affirming care that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse identities. I work with individuals with confirmed or suspected neurodiversity and those navigating later in life discovery.

I specialize in cognitive, behavioural, and mindfulness-based treatments for anxiety-related concerns, mood and emotion regulation, panic, obsessive-compulsive behaviours (OCD), hoarding, phobias, BFRBs, tics, chronic health issues, tinnitus, body image, eating concerns, and trauma. My background is in exposure and response prevention (ERP) and I also offer virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). If you are curious about how VR therapy might support you or your child in managing fear or anxiety, please book a free consult to explore this option.

I incorporate leading trauma therapies including cognitive processing therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and EMDR, which uses visual, auditory, or tactile dual attention stimulation to support trauma processing.

I have a special interest in supporting individuals and couples through fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and parenthood. My graduate research focused on the impact of fertility-related stress on individuals and couples.

I work with both monogamous and consensual non-monogamous relationships, using emotion focused therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method to support communication and connection.

Areas of Focus:

Anxiety, Panic, Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviours (OCD)
Depression and Mood Concerns
PTSD and Trauma Processing
Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) and Autism Support (Confirmed and Unconfirmed), Late Discovery
Tics and Tourette’s
Misophonia
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (picking, pulling, nail biting)
Fertility Challenges, Secondary Infertility
Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health
Parenting Support, Parent-Child Relationships
Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Body Image, Eating Concerns, Self-esteem, Health-At-Every-Size (HAES)
Chronic Health Issues, Chronic Pain
Tinnitus
Sleep Issues, Insomnia
Relationship Counselling
Family Relationships
Narcissistic Trauma
Identity and Career Exploration
Child and Youth Counselling

Education and Training:

Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Thompson Rivers University
CBT-Insomnia
Inference based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD with Neurodivergent Populations
San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Tics and Tourette’s (CBIT)
Habit Reversal Therapy for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs)
EMDR (EMDRIA Approved basic training)
Narcissistic Abuse Trauma Care for Survivors
Virtual Reality for Anxiety and Phobia Treatment (VRET)
Parent-child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Families
The Gottman Method for Couples, Level 1 & 2
Managing chronic pain
SPACE: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (learn more in our blog post)

Group Therapy:

Chill League, ages 9-13 in person in Parksville (ages flexible)
Calm Club, ages 5-8 in person in Parksville
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group for Teens (13-17) – on Zoom

Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family. Contact Autism Funding for more information. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to some insurance plans (Greenshield, Sun Life, Canada Life, Blue Cross, Telus eclaims), see them here. I am also able to direct bill to the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP).

Age ranges served: All children, youth and adults
Session Types: Couples, individual adults, individual children and youth, families, in person sessions or virtual.

Email: sondra.petrus@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 121
Text: 778-410-5510
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: 150-175 dollars. (Registered Clinician Rates)
CCPA CCC 11248969
BCACC RCC 21942

Check out her Psychology Today profile for even more information.

Location: I work out of the downtown Nanaimo office on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I am in North Nanaimo on Wednesdays. I work in Parksville Tuesdays.

Shannon Cowan

CURRENTLY ON LEAVE
OCD and anxiety can shrink your world—but effective treatment can help you take it back.

Welcome! My name is Shannon, and I help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassionate, evidence-based approaches.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, my practice integrates cognitive, behavioural and experiential strategies through a self-compassion lens. With a foundation in CBT and exposure-based therapies, I support children (10 and up), youth, and adults navigating anxiety/OCD and related disorders. Although I work with children 10 and up, I can support parents of children younger than this using the SPACE treatment program (see below). I am fully certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP) for OCD through the University of Pennsylvania’s Centre for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. I also support individuals struggling with body-focussed repetitive behaviours (BFRBs) using Habit Reversal Training and/or the Comprehensive Behavioral model.

I am also trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help families navigate childhood anxiety disorders and OCD by increasing supportive communication and reducing accommodations. Parenting children with anxiety/OCD can be physiologically activating. SPACE addresses this and other concerns to help both parents and children improve functioning.

I offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma and as an adjunct therapy for panic and anxiety. For this method I employ visual or tactile bilateral stimulation to engage dual attention in reprocessing traumatic memories. Depending on the level and type of trauma, I can draw on parts work and somatic tools for safety and resourcing.

With a background working with Indigenous communities and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, I strive to bring creativity, cultural competence and humility to all our sessions.

Areas of focus:

Anxiety & panic
Phobias
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Ruminations/intrusive thoughts
Parenting through childhood anxiety and OCD
Body-focussed Repetitive Behaviours (Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania)
Insomnia
Depression
Stress management
Trauma
Mood and Emotional Regulation
ICBC Counselling

Education and training:

I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology along with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.

Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD (ExRP for OCD)
Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
SPACE Parent-Based Training for Childhood Anxiety and OCD
Treatment for BFRBs (eg. hair pulling, nail biting, skin picking)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT for Insomnia
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Therapy

Direct Billing: I can direct bill to the Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider for your family, Contact Autism Funding for more information. If your benefits plan covers Registered Clinical Counsellors then these appointments should be covered. If your plan allows it, I can direct bill to some insurance plans including Telus Eclaims (a large number of plans), Greenshield, Sun Life, and Blue Cross, and ICBC see them here.

Age ranges served: 10 +

Session Types: Individuals in Person or Virtual.

Email: shannon.cowan@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 152
Text: (250) 410-0911
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $150.00-165.00 per session
Registration: BCACC RCC 27390

Location: Shannon works in Parksville on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Christine Hudson

Sometimes words aren’t enough, and sometimes they’re exactly what you need. Music therapy offers another way in.

Hi, I’m Christine. I’m a Music Therapist Accredited (MTA), Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (RP(Q)). I bring something a little different to the Island Clinical Counselling team: the integration of music and psychotherapy.

You might come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to work on, or you might just know that something feels off. Either way, I’m here to meet you where you are. I offer music therapy, psychotherapy, or an integrative blend of both, depending on your needs and preferences. No musical experience is required to work with me.

Music is a powerful therapeutic tool that can give voice to grief, soothe anxiety, and open doors that conversation alone sometimes can’t. Music therapy can involve listening, improvising, songwriting, or simply letting sound create space for reflection. When we use talk therapy, I bring the same creative, attuned presence to our conversations. We’ll find what works for you.

Whether we’re using words, music, or both, I strive to create a collaborative, authentic, and non-pathologizing space where healing and personal growth can happen. My work is grounded in humanistic, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive values, and I draw from music psychotherapy, narrative therapy, psychodynamic, and emotion-focused approaches.

I support children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, grief, palliative or life-limiting illness, aphasia, self-esteem, and life transitions. Whether you’re processing grief, rebuilding self-esteem, managing the stress of life’s ups and downs, or simply wanting space for creative exploration and emotional healing, I’m here to support you.

If something in this profile resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help us determine if we’re a good fit.

Areas of Focus:

Anxiety
Depression and Mood Concerns
Grief and Loss
Stress and Burnout
Palliative and Life-Limiting Illness
Aphasia and Communication Challenges
Self-Esteem
Life Transitions
Creative exploration and emotional expression
Personal Growth
Trauma Informed Care

Education and Training:

I hold a Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Diploma in Jazz Studies (Voice) from Capilano University, and a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Toronto. I completed my clinical internship across multiple settings including aphasia treatment, long-term care, palliative care, bereavement, complex grief, and mental health, children’s rehabilitation. I am also trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST).

Session Details:

I offer talk-based approaches in Downtown Nanaimo and primarily music psychotherapy sessions in Parksville. I will be offering a sliding scale fee until I am set up to accept insurance.

Age ranges served: all

Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. In Person or Virtual.

Email: christine.hudson@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext 166
Text: (236) 475-4980
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $150.00
CCPA CCC 11266592

Location: Christine works in Parksville on Mondays and Downtown Nanaimo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Shannon Heppner

When you’ve spent years being the strong one, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to ask for support yourself.

Hi, my name is Shannon Heppner (she/they). I am a counselling intern at Island Clinical Counselling in Nanaimo. I will be taking on clients and offering counselling in the community starting in January. My approach is holistic, warm, trauma-informed, strength- and resilience-focused, an affirming and safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, neurodiversity-affirming, with a lens on understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to create meaningful shifts that affect change.

I also have 20+ years of experience in frontline work as a responder and rescue specialist. This first-hand work and education gave me a deep understanding of the trauma and resilience effects frontline workers face, and when it is time to reach out. You are not alone.

When I am not working, I am continuously learning through education and connection. I love connecting with my family and friends, hiking and exploring in all weather, kayaking, boating and fishing, walking my dog and or meditating.

I originally came from Powell River. In this nature-robust small coastal community, I spent most of my time working and playing in the bush or on the water. Eventually, I started my career as a rescue specialist for the Canadian Coast Guard, which brought me to Vancouver Island. I got my Community Mental Health Worker Certificate and had the opportunity to work alongside people who lived with barriers to housing, mental health, substance use and brain injury. Working alongside these folks drew on my curiosity about how I can do more to support people and the barriers that sometimes come with being human. I attended Vancouver Island University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care. From there, I was able to work alongside teens and children in the schools, as well as their families in the community and nature. I am currently completing my Master’s in Counselling through City University of Seattle.

Therapeutic Modalities:

Strength-Based Approaches
Person-Centered Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Holistic and Somatic Approaches
Psychoeducation (Grief processing, emotional regulation)
Narrative Therapy
Mindfulness approaches
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Habit Reversal Therapy

Areas of Interest:

Adventure-Based Therapies
Trauma and Resilience
Burnout and Self Compassion
Grief and Loss
Depression
Mental Health
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT – Mood Disorders)
Concurrent challenges with addictions
Anxiety
Neurodiverse Adults and Children
Autism
Ages and stages transitions
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Compulsive Disorders
Hypnotherapy

Counselling Education:

Currently completing my Masters degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle (Graduation in 2026)
Bachelor Degree in Child and Youth Care

Professional Affiliation: BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC- Student Member)

Fees: I can direct bill to Autism Funding Unit if I am approved as a service provider. Contact Autism Funding for more information.

Age ranges served: all.

Session Types: Individual adults, adolescents, and youth. Couples and families. In Person or Virtual.

Email: shannon.heppner@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 150
Fees: $70.00 per session (not covered by benefit plans)

Location: I work out of Parksville Wednesday through Friday and in North Nanaimo location on Saturdays.

Jill Gerke

Are you navigating grief, illness, caregiving, a major life transition, or a loss that has changed the way you see yourself and the world? You don’t have to walk through it alone.

Hi there, I’m Jill. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and am currently completing supervised hours toward registration as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC. Before sharing a bit of my professional journey, I want to start by explaining how I approach counselling.

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Victor Frankl

My invitation to counselling is to help you create and stay in that space. It’s a pause to notice what is present, make meaningful choices, and practise new ways of responding to life’s challenges. In that space, you can access your inner wisdom, resilience, and growth potential. Together, we will use your personal stories and meaningful history to guide the counselling process. We will use narrative and mindfulness-based approaches to support your experience.

Since 1993, I have been honoured to walk alongside people as they navigate life transitions, living with illness, grief, loss, identity shifts, and times of deep change. Earlier in my career, I worked directly as a counsellor with children, youth, adults, and families, offering both individual and group support across hospice, hospital, outdoor camp, and school-based settings, including work with pregnant and parenting adolescents. In more recent years, I provided leadership within Island Health’s Palliative & End-of-Life Care program, while remaining closely connected to clinical practice through mentorship and consultation. Following a significant loss in the summer of 2024, I became clear in my desire to return to counselling work that focuses on deep, meaningful client relationships.

When I am not working, I can often be found on the trails with family and my two young golden retrievers, Maui and Sunday, or enjoying the sunrise at one of the many beautiful beaches in central Vancouver Island.

Clinical Experience and Areas of Focus:

Grief and bereavement across the lifespan, including perinatal and child loss
Living with chronic illness and life-limiting conditions (children, youth, and adults)
Caregiver support and wellness
Health-care navigation and advocacy
Maternal mental health and parenting transitions
Pre- and post-natal mental health
Life transitions across the lifespan
Stress management
Health-care provider support and wellness
Compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral distress
Anxiety and mood changes
Resilience and post-traumatic growth
Spiritual care and interdenominational support
Pet Loss/Bereavement

Education & Training:

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology — Yorkville University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — University of Calgary
Advanced Studies in Mental Health — Mount Royal College
Psychosocial Care of the Dying – Victoria Hospice
Training in cognitive, somatic, narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches
Play and Sand Therapy — Alberta Play Therapy Association
Suicide Intervention Training (Basic and Adolescent Levels) — SIEC
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing — Level 1
Childbirth Education — Level 1
San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
Nature-Based Therapy — Introductory Workshop
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

Populations & Session Types

In-person sessions at the Parksville Clinic
Virtual sessions from the comfort of your own space
Nature-based sessions (where appropriate)

Age ranges served: all

Email: jill.gerke@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 116
Fees: $70, offering the Pay What You Can Program for those in need

Check out her Psychology Today profile for even more information.

Location: Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays in Parksville and online

Sabrina St. Mars

Are you carrying grief, navigating a difficult transition, adjusting to parenthood, struggling with anxiety or depression, or longing for a space where you can simply be heard without judgment?

I am honoured to be offering services as a student practitioner while completing the final stages of a master’s degree in counselling. I believe in the inherent dignity and worth of all people, and that every individual deserves to be listened to with empathy and respect. I am committed to providing a safe, warm, and non-judgmental space where you can experience being seen and heard. My approach to therapy is collaborative and adaptable, recognising that you have strengths, values, abilities, insights and preferences that should shape the direction of counselling. Therapy is not “one size fits all”, and I hope to develop a therapeutic relationship founded on authenticity, where you are comfortable sharing what is and is not working, and we can adjust accordingly. If this sounds like a good fit, it would be an honour to meet you and hear your story.

Some areas of interest:

Grief & Loss
Perinatal Mental Health
Maternal Mental Health
Emotional Regulation
Spirituality and Faith
Anxiety
Depression

Additional training:

Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support Person Certification (Doula Canada)
Post-Partum Depression and Related Mood Disorders
Narrative Therapy
Grief Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy

Age ranges served: All

Session Types: Individual adults, children, and youth. In Person or Virtual.

Email: sabrina.stmars@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 160
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $70

Check out her Psychology Today profile for even more information.

Location: Sabrina works in Parksville on Mondays and Thursdays. She works in North Nanaimo on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Erin Generous

Pronouns: She/Her

Finding the right counselling fit matters, and I encourage you to take the time you need to explore who feels right for you. If that happens to be me, I look forward to meeting you and working together to support your goals.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where you can share openly in a safe, confidential space and at a pace that feels comfortable for you. This is your time – a place to explore what feels overwhelming, make sense of your experiences, and discover a new direction or insight about yourself.

I practice from a person-centred approach and value authenticity and genuineness in the work we do together. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported while we explore what matters most to you.

In session, I integrate evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, narrative and solution-focused strategies. Depending on your needs, we can draw from these perspectives or others to help you understand patterns, build new skills, and move towards meaningful change.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in child and youth care and have 24 years of experience working with children, youth, and families. I work with all ages 10 and above. I value diversity and recognize that each of us brings our own background, values, and life experiences into the therapeutic space. Even if we share similarities, we may experience them differently, and I honour those differences in our work together.

In my spare time, I enjoy nature, photography, reading books and spending time with my family and enjoy others with a good sense of humour.

Area of Focus:

Anxiety
Depression
Neurodiversity
Stress management
Life Transitions
Children 10+ & Adolescents
ADHD
Self-worth and self-esteem
Burnout and self-compassion

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
Currently completing my master’s degree in counselling psychology at Yorkville University (in progress)

Additional certifications completed:

CBT for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for adults
The Dos and Don’ts of Counselling Neurodivergent Clients: A Trauma- Informed Somatic Approach to Autism and ADH
An Introduction to Behavioural Activation for Treating Depression
Professional Affiliation: BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC- Student Member).

Location: North Nanaimo (Wednesdays), Duncan (Thursdays), Nanaimo downtown (Fridays- bi-weekly), Parksville (Saturdays).

Session Types: One-on-one adults, adolescents ages 10+, couples and families. In-person or virtual.

Email:erin.generous@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 164
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $70 with sliding scale or apply for the Pay What You Can program. (not covered by benefit plans)

Sujata Mahara

Hello, my name is Sujata Mahara (she/her), and I am excited to join Island Clinical Counselling as a practicum student. I am honoured to support individuals by fostering a safe, compassionate, and collaborative space that encourages healing, personal growth, and meaningful change.

With 20 plus years of experience supporting children, youth, adults, and families in roles such as Early Childhood Educator, Child and Youth Care, and Family Services social work, I understand that life’s challenges can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, trauma, life transitions, or cultural and identity-related experiences, we will work together to build on your strengths and move toward the changes that matter most to you.

As a practicum student, I receive ongoing clinical supervision to ensure I provide ethical, evidence-informed care. It would be a privilege to walk alongside you, offering a supportive space where you can explore, heal, and grow at your own pace.

My approach to counselling is collaborative, compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centred. I believe that healing begins with a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, heard, and accepted just as you are

Areas of Focus:

Anxiety
Depression
Stress Management
Life Transitions
Children 10+
Youth Counselling
Self-esteem
Burout Prevention and Support
Self Compassion
Faith and Existential Support
Grief and Loss
Couples Counselling

Modalitites Offered:

Strength-Based Approaches
Person-Centered Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Holistic and Somatic Approaches
Psychoeducation (Grief processing, emotional regulation)
Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness approaches
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Family Systems Therapy

Education:

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) (in progress) – Yorkville University
Bachelor of Child and Youth Care
Early Childhood Education

Age ranges served: 10+

Session Types: Individual adults, children 10 and up, and youth. Couples. In Person or Virtual.

Email: sujata.mahara@islandclinicalcounselling.ca
Phone: 778-762-3750 ext. 169
Pronouns: She/Her
Fees: $70 with a sliding scale or apply for the Pay What You Can program. (not covered by benefit plans)

Location: Sujata works in Parksville Fridays.

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About Our Parksville Therapy Team

Bree Stutt

Sondra Petrus

Shannon Cowan

Christine Hudson

Shannon Heppner

Jill Gerke

Sabrina St. Mars

Erin Generous

Sujata Mahara