Clinical Counselling
ABOUT ME +
MY APPROACH
I'm Carly, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with BCACC. I have been working in the field of trauma since 2012, initially without realizing. Working for organizations and programs addressing mental health, homelessness, the justice system, education gaps, and physical health, I began to notice a common thread: that trauma and negative life experiences have lasting effects on mental health, relationships, family, parenting, housing, education, work, self-esteem, and overall wellness.
As a counsellor, I work from an attachment lens, which means that I consider how early experiences of care, neglect, love, and abuse influence our current lives, wellness, and relationships. I also use an embodied approach, which means I often explore body sensations and experiences along with memories, deeply held beliefs, emotions, and thoughts. I work with people to change, heal, and release "old stuff" that's getting activated in your current life, instead of just teaching skills to deal with but not heal these challenges.
I strive to be mindful of where you're at, what you are comfortable with and needing, and collaborate with you through the process. I balance warmth and care with honesty and genuineness and truly enjoy my work as a counsellor and psychotherapist. I will keep us both accountable to the goals we have set and progress towards the life you want.
AREAS OF WORK
I have experience and interest in working with a number of challenges and diagnoses, including mental health, self-esteem, family conflict, and trauma. My approach often involves exploring how your past experiences influence your current functioning and wellness. I have experience and training working with individuals who are experiencing challenges related to:
TRAUMA + NEGATIVE LIFE EXPERIENCES
Including:
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emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
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sexualized violence
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family conflict
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accident or injury
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bullying
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pregnancy, miscarriage, and birth challenges
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loss and grief
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any experience that affected your sense of self-worth
INTERPERSONAL + FAMILY CHALLENGES
Including:
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abuse or neglect
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family conflict and violence
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invalidated feelings and needs
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relationship violence, gaslighting, and abuse
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intergenerational trauma
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estrangement
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parenting and caregiving challenges
MENTAL HEALTH + TEMPERMENT CHALLENGES
Including:
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anxiety
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depression and low mood
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borderline personality traits
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dissociation
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phobias and other fears
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highly sensitive people
If you don't see your challenge listed here, please note that these are only some of the forms that trauma, mental health, self-esteem, interpersonal, and life challenges can take. If your situation, feelings, symptoms, experience, or history is challenging for you, then it is legitimate and you deserve support.
EDUCATION + TRAINING
I have experience and training in a number of evidence-based therapy modalities, including:
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
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Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
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Mindfulness-Based approaches and practices
I have my Master's in Family Relations and Human Development - an interdisciplinary degree in psychotherapy, research, and social services - from the University of Guelph, Ontario. I also have a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Toronto, where I also studied Buddhism Psychology and Mental Health, and Sexual Diversity Studies.
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I would be pleased to connect for a complimentary consultation to see if we would be a good fit.
A designation of BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
