Pavan Pawar

RCC #23704

Pavan Pawar is accepting new clients.

Registered Clinical Counsellor, Masters in Counselling Psychology

Hi, I’m Pavan Pawar (she/her). I earned my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and my approach to counselling is shaped by both professional expertise and personal passion. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

I grew up in Coquitlam and was one of the few girls playing boys’ hockey, a journey that taught me resilience, teamwork, and the power of challenging limits. Those lessons still resonate in my life today, and as a lifelong Vancouver Canucks fan. Outside of work, I find joy in therapy shopping, discovering new travel destinations, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring my love for food. My favorite moments, though, are spent with the people I care about most.

Professional Experience in Social Services and Mental Health

Professionally, I’ve spent over eight years working in social services and mental health, supporting individuals through challenges such as mental health diagnoses, homelessness, addiction, trauma, family dynamics, and sexual abuse. I’ve also worked closely with youth and adults in the criminal justice system and those with disabilities, helping them navigate their unique journeys with compassion and understanding.

Indo-Canadian Counsellor

As an Indo-Canadian woman, I’m deeply passionate about breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health, especially in communities of colour. My lived experiences allow me to offer a counselling approach that is culturally safe and inclusive, where your identity is embraced and celebrated

Walking Alongside You

Supporting and helping people isn’t just my profession, it’s my calling. I’m driven by a deep desire to help my clients find their way through life, uncover their strengths, and reach their fullest potential. I understand how daunting it can be to take the first step toward counselling. It takes courage to seek support and start a journey of healing, and I’m here to honor your bravery and walk alongside you every step of the way.

I provide culturally responsive therapy for South Asian youth and adults navigating mental health, stigma, and identity. With a client-centered and anti-oppressive approach, I create a supportive space to explore challenges and build resilience. I integrate CBT, mindfulness, and creative techniques to help clients manage stress and foster personal growth.

My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, relationship challenges, identity struggles, or navigating life’s uncertainties, I’m here to support you. Together, we can build a brighter, more fulfilling future, one that is meaningful, aligned with your values, and deeply rooted in you.

Pavan is now offering Accessible Counselling for $95/50 Minute session on Monday and Thursday.

You can view Pavan’s Informed Consent form here.

Approaches Used

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Oppressive, Attachment Informed / Attachment Based Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Therapy (BFST), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Creative and Strength Based, Critical Race Theory / Culturally Informed / Culturally Competent, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Positive Psychology (EPP), Existential Therapy, Experiential Approach, Expressive Arts Therapy / Art Therapist, Family Systems Therapy (FST), Feminist Intersectional Therapy (FIT), Gottman Couples Therapy, Gottman Method, Harm Reduction Based, Humanistic / Person-Centred Therapy / Rogerian, Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Parts Work, Interpersonal Therapy, LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming, Meditation, Mindful Self Compassion (MSC), Mindfulness, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Nature Based Therapy, Neurodiversity Affirming, Polyvagal Therory, Relational / Relationship Therapy, Sex and Kink Positive, Sex Worker Positive, Solutions Focused Therapy (SFT), Somatic and Body-Centred Approaches, Strengths Based Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy

Specialties and Areas of Practice

Accessible Counselling, Accountability, Addiction, ADHD, Alternate Relationship Structures, Anxiety, Autism, BIPOC and Cultural Issues, Body Image, Boundary Setting, Break-Ups, Burnout, Career Counselling / Work Issues, Childhood Trauma, Children, Chronic and Life-Limiting Illness, Communication Skills, Couples Therapy, Dating, Depersonalization, Depression, Derealization, Dissociation, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorders, Emotional Abuse, Emotional Regulation and Anger, Family Conflict, Family Counselling, Fears and Phobias, First Nations Issues, Goal Setting, Grief and Loss, Harm Reduction, Identity, Immigrant Experience, Incest Histories, Interpersonal Challenges, Kink and Sex Positive, Leadership Development, LGBTQIA2S+, Life Meaning and Purpose, Life Transitions, Marriage Therapy, Men’s Health, Menopause, Minority Issues, Motivation, Neglect, Nervous System Regulation, Neurodivergence, OCD, Pain Management, Panic Attacks, Parenting, Perfectionism, Play and Creative Therapy for Children, Polyamorous Relationships, Postpartum, Pregnancy, PTSD / Complex PTSD, Queer Relationships, Relational Trauma, Relationship Issues, Religious Trauma, Reproductive Struggles, Self Worth and Personal Growth, Self-Development and Coaching, Self-Esteem, Sex Therapy, Sex Worker Allied, Sexual Trauma, Sexual Violence, Sexuality and Gender, Shame, Stress Management and Stress Reduction, Student Support, Substance Use Issues, Transgender / Nonbinary / Gender-Nonconforming, Trauma, Youth / Young Adults 14+

Pavan Pawar is accepting new clients.

How Much Counselling Will I Need?

It depends on what you want. Most clients fall into one of three categories:

One (or two) and done – I just want some advice to move forward on a problem. Cool, just let me know that so I can make sure the session will be focused.
Acute issue – I need some support to resolve an issue, but I don’t want to be in counselling forever. This usually takes 8-12 sessions but could be shorter or longer based on your needs (time, financial, issue complexity). We create the ideal structure together.
Long-term therapeutic relationship – I need a safe space to process life events. Sessions are often booked up to a year in advance so you can count on the structure and support. The topic often changes session to session, but relates back to an overarching theme of self-development, relationship management, or something of that nature.

I can’t tell you which issues fall into which bucket, or guarantee results, because each client is unique. It’s best to let me know which category you think you might fall into, we can check and adjust as needed.

What experience or background do you bring to your counselling and supervision practice that is uniquely yours?

I bring nearly a decade of experience working in the mental health and social services field, supporting youth, adults, and families through trauma, addiction, homelessness, and complex mental health challenges. Over the years, I’ve also had the privilege of working with Indigenous communities, neurodivergent youth, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system, experiences that have deeply shaped how I show up as a counsellor.

As a Sikh woman and daughter of an immigrant, I understand what it means to navigate multiple identities and expectations while trying to find your own voice. My practice is rooted in compassion, authenticity, and cultural humility. I aim to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, valued, and supported, a space where healing can happen through connection, curiosity, and care.

What is your favourite thing about working closely with people every day?

What I love most about working closely with people every day is witnessing those moments of self-discovery and growth. There’s something truly powerful about seeing someone realize that healing isn’t about being “fixed,” but about reconnecting with who they are underneath the pain. It could be the first time a client sets a boundary for themselves, takes a small step toward a goal, or simply feels proud of their progress, it’s in those moments that real transformation becomes visible.

Every person I work with reminds me of the courage it takes to show up, especially when life has felt overwhelming or heavy. I feel deeply honoured to hold space for them, whether that means sharing laughter, holding through tears, or simply sitting together in silence. Being part of someone’s journey as they begin to trust themselves, reclaim their confidence, and rediscover their resilience is what makes this work endlessly meaningful and inspiring.

What is a personal challenge that you have overcome in your own life?

A personal challenge I’ve had to overcome is feeling ashamed of my identity and struggling to embrace being Punjabi. Growing up, I often felt the pressure to fit in and downplay parts of who I was, my culture, my faith, and even my voice. Over time, I realized how much that disconnect from my roots affected my sense of belonging and self-worth.

Through my own journey, I’ve learned to recognize the beauty, resilience, and strength in where I come from. Embracing my Punjabi identity has become one of my deepest sources of pride and grounding. It has allowed me to show up more authentically in all areas of my life, personally and professionally, and it has given me the empathy and insight to support others who are also navigating the challenge of accepting and celebrating who they truly are.

What have you learned from your work?

What I’ve learned through my work is that healing is rarely linear, and that every person carries their own version of strength, even in the parts of themselves they feel ashamed of. Working with diverse communities has shown me that pain often carries wisdom, and that true growth happens when people feel safe enough to explore the parts of themselves, they’ve been taught to hide.

I’ve also learned that people don’t just need to be understood, they need to be believed. Whether it’s a young person navigating their identity, a survivor of trauma reclaiming their voice, or someone learning to trust themselves again, I’ve witnessed how transformative it is when someone feels truly seen, without judgment or conditions. These experiences have reinforced the heart of my work: creating a space where people can reconnect with who they really are and witnessing the courage it takes to show up for themselves.

Blog Contributions

peak office picture

Counsellors Blog Strength and Courage

Counselling Assistance Following the Car Attack Tragedy in Vancouver on April 26th

Last Updated: September 29, 2026 Created: December 3, 2024

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