Hello, my name is Anna (she/her), and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who works with folks living in BC. I received my Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counselling in the U.S. from Viterbo University. I bring with me a background in rural private practice, counselling teens, young adults, and adults.
I have experience with and am especially interested in working with folks who identify with any of the following:
Queer & Trans Affirming Counselling
As a queer counsellor myself, I offer affirming therapy for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, and various other non-cisheterosexual identities).Whether it’s the reason a person looks for therapy or just a part of who they are, I am always happy to get to know new clients that fall under this umbrella of identities. I’m committed to evidence-based, affirming counselling that honors each person’s unique way of being in the world and recognizes the systems of oppression that they interact with. Together we might explore identity, sense of self, and values, process trauma (relational, religious, or otherwise), cultivate a greater sense of belonging and community connection, and more.
Navigating Neurodivergence
You’re not alone if it seems like your mind operates differently than other people’s, and advice and solutions that work for others don’t work for you. You might have noticed you have different limits or ways of seeing the world, and maybe you even have a diagnosis of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) or autism (ASD or autism spectrum disorder). Folks like this, sometimes called “neurodivergent”, might struggle with things like sensory overwhelm, small tasks that feel impossible to complete, or exhaustion from the efforts it takes to be organized, on time, and socially involved. Together in counselling we might do things like disentangle what sort of things are particularly difficult for you, consider what needs you have that are essential for baseline functioning (even if they differ from other people’s), or examine your sense of self and how you relate to the world.
Healing From Religious Trauma or Harm
Religious and spiritual institutions can provide community, structure, meaning, and other wonderful things. It can’t be ignored, though, that some have been used as tools for harm and abuse. Some people question or walk away from their faith and seek counselling to help address their experiences. I provide counselling for folks looking to navigate these kinds of encounters with religion, including things like purity culture, high control religion, queer religious trauma, deconstruction, and other related experiences. My goal is never to direct anyone’s beliefs, but to be a safe, warm person to help with the vulnerable task of sorting out your beliefs, values, and relationship to religion or spirituality.
Anxiety, Trauma, Stress & Depression
Feeling on-edge, anxious, angry, or depressed can be logical responses to stressful and unjust environments. Often our symptoms serve a purpose as survival strategies. You might struggle with baseline or situational anxiety, depression and hopelessness, or have a history of trauma (including complex trauma). Still, through connection we can lessen suffering. I bring with me experience in counselling for these issues and others, including counselling individuals who work in high-stress environments. In counselling we can explore what change is possible in your life and investigate the ways you connect to self and others. We may work on nurturing self-esteem, address emotional wounds that have been unattended to, examine unhelpful perspectives or stories we tell ourselves, and find ways to increase opportunities for joy and connection.
If you’ve read to this point, I hope you will consider booking your first session or free 15-minute consultation by phone to get started.
Here’s a quick look at what I offer:
- In person or virtual individual counselling on Mondays 4pm-8pm, Tuesdays 8am-12pm, and Thursdays 8am-1pm
- Virtual individual counselling on Wednesdays, 8am-4pm
- Sliding Scale pricing by request only.
- My services may be covered by your benefits/insurance, and usually Peak Resilience can directly bill on your behalf. Please check your plan coverage details prior to booking.
Counselling Approach
Based on a person-centred and intersectional feminist foundation, the heart of my work involves providing a safe, nonjudgemental climate for a person’s healing to freely unfold. I recognize that this involves understanding the context that our problems exist in (think class, race, gender, environment, etc). Together we can work out what it means for you to live a more authentic and meaningful life in the context of your world, and on your terms. While these are my roots, I’m happy to involve other modalities in our work together, and always carry curiosity with me. You’re also always free to change your mind about the kind of counselling you need– even if that means it’s not with me.
About Me
Outside of counselling, I enjoy cooking for my family, playing dungeons and dragons, storytelling in all forms, and seeing live performances (especially musicals). As a transplant from the Midwest in the States, I also love brisk weather and snowy winters.
You can reach me directly by email at: annahuiras.therapy@proton.me
You can view my Informed Consent Form here.