About Me
I am an Art Therapist and Clinical Counsellor located in Vancouver, providing in person and virtual counselling services in British Columbia. I love to work with themes of self-discovery, adapting to change, values-based living, self-compassion, and spirituality.
While I don’t believe your counsellor has to have lived through all the same things as you in order to support you, it can be a relief to know they have also had their own experiences with mental health struggles or life changes. I bring with me lived experiences of Queer religious trauma, grief & loss, chronic illness and disability, and anxiety disorders. For myself, therapy was a way to acknowledge that I cannot control or change all the things in my life, but I can choose the courage, compassion, and curiosity to make my life my own.
When I am not in the counselling office, I can often be found exploring the outdoors. I am a Scout leader and love to share my passion for nature and conservation with the next generation. I am also endlessly baking, knitting, quilting, and generally engaging in other grandmother-like hobbies.
Counselling Perspective
Rooted in an intersectional feminist lens, I believe that our symptoms, behaviours, and patterns make sense when we understand the context they came from. But, luckily, we don’t have to stop there! My goal is to help you reconnect with your sense of self – exploring your values, learning more about where you feel stuck, and then building together a new path forward. I work offer both talk therapy and art therapy, and you’re always invited to explore and change your mind throughout our time together.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy combines talk therapy with the use of art materials to process, and explore our thoughts and feelings. Many folks find that art provides a way to express feelings beyond what we can say in words. At the same time, it is a great tool for self-awareness, as we can ask questions about the artwork to build a better understanding of how we truly think and feel about an issue. Art therapy might look like creating artwork in response to topics we have been discussing, creating artwork to promote mindful meditative practice, releasing difficult emotions like grief or loss, or even guided play with art materials. Just like with talk therapy, art therapy is catered to each person’s needs, wants, and style. There is no need to feel like you are an “artist” to do art therapy!
Chronic Illness & Disability Counselling
Living with chronic illnesss/disability can affect countless areas of life. If you have recently developed an disability or recieved a diagnosis, you’re not alone if you have found yourself facing feelings of isolation, frustration, grief, changes in relationship dynamics, or a disconnection from your sense of self. Together we can explore how to move forward in a world that is not always accessible or understanding. With illness, disability, and rehabilitation focused therapy, we may explore identity, self-advocacy, pacing, and/or grief and loss to build a greater sense of self compassion, resilience, and wellness.
Queer & Religious Trauma Support
Exploring your sexual orientation and gender identity can be both meaninful and challenging, particularly if these parts of yourself have been met with judgement or shame from a community you identify (or identified) with. When navigating religious trauma, experinces of spiritual abuse, fear, guilt, or rejection from community can be so confusing when they may come from the same places that taught us love, belonging, or a sense of purpose. I’d like to offer you an affirming space where you’re welcome to explore all of the parts of who you. You get to build your own sense of meaning. Together we can engage in identity exploration, deconstruct beliefs that are no longer supportive, and cultivate your own authentic way of living rooted in your values.
Other areas of focus I work on with clients
- Processing significant life changes
- Grief & loss work
- Self-development
- Establishing boundaries
- Anxiety and depression
- Values-based work
Education and experience
I have a Master of Art Therapy & Counselling Psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Since 2019, I have worked as a social worker and counsellor for newcomers, aging populations, injury rehabilitation, families in transition, and Indigenous community services. When I am not at Peak Resilience, I also work part-time at BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital as a counsellor with their Oak Tree Clinic.
If you’ve read to this point, I hope you will consider booking your first session or a free 15 minute consultation by phone to get started.
I offer limited Individual Sessions at Accessible Pricing. $95/50 Minute session and $143/75 Minute Session.
You can view my Informed Consent Form here.
Janessa is an RCC #23173 and a Professional Art Therapist #73862904
I acknowledge that I live and work on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples – xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. As an uninvited guest, it is my responsibility to each day explore how I can walk in a good way, committing to (un)learning, and implementing the TRC calls to action in my personal practice.