About the Space

Home based therapy office and play therapy room in Davis Bay, BC.

I hold both an adult/youth counselling space and a children's play therapy space in a walk out suite in my home in Davis Bay. Parking is available on the street or in the drive way. Office is located around the left side of the house. Signage provided, and I am available to text or call at 250-960-9180 if you need further direction.

Location:

5194 Ridgeview Place

Sechelt, BC - Davis Bay

I'm so glad you're here.

I'm Whitney (she/her), a therapist living and working on the unceded territory of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and the Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish) Nation, colonially known as Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of BC.

As someone who has always found the most meaning in deep conversations and good relationships, I wanted to be a counsellor since my youth. Mental health is a personal passion of mine, as I've watched loved ones struggle and also find resilience during mental suffering. I've walked through hard times myself, and meaningful support made all the difference to me.

This all led me to complete a Masters degree in Counselling from University of Northern British Columbia in 2020, a counselling program especially focused on working with depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. I then received further training and experience in Narrative Therapy, DBT, Sandtray Therapy, Expressive Play Therapy, and EMDR. Over the past five years I've worked as a therapist with a Native Friendship Centre, with university students at UNBC, in Child and Youth Mental Health, and with adult clients in private practice. I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#16735) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.

Qualifications & Trainings

▪ Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology, University of Northern BC

▪ Bachelors or Arts in Leadership, TWU

▪ Crisis intervention and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
▪ Cultural sensitivity awareness and training: Historical Impacts of Colonization from Stó:lō Nation
▪ Foundations of Narrative Therapy training from Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy
▪ Sand Play Therapy – Centre for Expressive Therapy Marie Jose Dhaese
▪ Expressive Play Therapy: A Holistic and Integrative Approach – Centre for Expressive Therapy Marie Jose Dhaese
▪ Expressive Play Therapy for Complex Trauma – Centre for Expressive Therapy Marie Jose Dhaese
▪ EMDR Tier 1 Training - Sue Genest Life Journeys Counselling
▪ Workshop Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems, Frank Anderson
▪ Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certification - Web 2.0 Daniel W. Smith

▪ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Master the Core Skills and Competencies of CBT - Webinar by Charles Jacob, PhD
▪ Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT): Attachment-based Interventions
▪ DBT Certification Training - Lane Pederson
▪ Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy: Foundation Course - Cathy Malchiodi, PhD

My Story

My biggest feelings have been my biggest teachers. I've learned to love my feelings, be with them, and know they are trying to tell me something important. The feelings of fear and anxiety have especially been a big part of my life. Anxiety has been a voice that has kept me safe, but also limited me and affected my health and body. For all the trouble it's caused, anxiety has given me the gift of understanding mental suffering. It has called me to understand the neuro-biology of trauma, the beauty of our bodie's signals that help to protect us, and the world of feelings, as I've sought out my own healing. Anxiety is still by my side, but it's voice is smaller as I've learned about what drives it and the needs behind it. I hope that all of this helps me to come alongside you as we explore together what you need.

OUTSIDE MY ROLE

Here is my little wellness team! Outside work, you can find me with these folks, exploring trails, having movie date nights, playing peek a boo from behind the trees, being totally and awesomely free and foolishly playful with my little one. As a new mom, I'm just obsessed with my son and the journey that is motherhood.

When not with these lovelies, you can find me enjoying walks with friends, watercolour painting, felting and weaving, and trying to sneak in time to rock climb, attend a yoga class or read while snuggling my kitty, Penny.