Email: carolynn@lavendercounselling.com

Life is a complicated series of twists and turns. At some points along this road we can struggle and at other points it can feel as though life couldn’t get any better. Maybe still, we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. We can find ourselves feeling numb and flat, out of control, anxious, or overwhelmed. These experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, and a loss of connection with ourselves and others. Working with a counsellor can help you to re-connect with yourself and improve relationships in your life. It can allow you to embrace your life, uncover your dreams and feel more energized so you can engage more effectively with others (partners, children, family, colleagues). Counselling is not limited to times of struggle. It can be incredibly useful to have a neutral third party to walk alongside us as we navigate the twists and turns of our lives. Having someone to cheer with us can be equally as important as having someone beside us when life feels out of control.

I began my career in business and spent 9 years working for a local grocery chain. I started off bagging groceries and eventually resigned from my Head Office position when I realized it was not fulfilling my heart. I resigned and moved on to complete my B.Ed. at UBC and spent the next 11 years teaching high school English. I quickly realized that I spent more time at the counsellor’s office trying to figure out how to support kids than I cared to spend on ensuring their grammar was up to par. So, back to school I went. I graduated with an MA in Counselling Psychology from UBC in 2013. During my graduate degree I worked for the former President of Anxiety Canada in her personal research lab and conducted my own novel research in the field on social anxiety in adolescents. I spent time counselling in schools for those struggling with intensive behavior, or severe mental health (Category H in the school system). I have served as a member of the Board for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), and subsequently as the VP and Chair for Region 5. I am proud to be the Founder and Director of Lavender Counselling. I am also part of the Program Development & Clinical Teams for Wounded Warriors Canada where I have had the privilege to co-develop both the SRP (Spouses’ Resiliency Program for those Living alongside veterans and first responders with PTSD) and the SSP (Surviving Spouse’s Program for those whose partners were killed in action or who died by suicide). As part of the clinical team I deliver the following group therapy programs: COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday), TRP 1 & 2 (Trauma Resiliency Program), SRP and SSP.

I work with a broad range of client issues including: PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, traumatic grief, postpartum transition, self harm, suicidal ideation, self esteem, emotion regulation, life transitions, and the effects of childhood emotional neglect in adults.

I have trained with Dr. Les Greenberg, the primary developer of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and an originator for EFT couple’s therapy; I have trained extensively in counsellor ethics and have completed EMDR Basic Certification. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you to embrace your life more fully.