Chronic Pain or Illness Therapists in Canada

I believe in bringing the body into therapy. I strive to bring openness, curiosity, and compassion to my work with adults and couples. My work focuses on the relationship between the body and mental health, specifically chronic illness, life-limiting illness, and substance use. I also work with people living with anxiety and depression, as well as those navigating life transitions. I have had an indirect path to doing what I do, and this means that I draw on many influences and experiences in my practice. Before starting my path to social work, I was a creative arts therapist, a teacher and an actor. I worked for several years in a cancer clinic at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, before returning to school to study the relationship between mental health and exercise. I am licensed in the provinces of British Columbia and in Quebec. I currently offer virtual sessions for those in BC and am available in person in Montreal. with a PhD in Social Work (University of Ottawa), a Master of Social Work (University of Ottawa) and a Master of Creative Arts Therapies (Concordia University).

I’m Ellen, and I am currently completing my Masters degree in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University. Given my educational background in Kinesiology, my counselling lens has been shaped by my work as a strength coach, an Olympic weightlifting coach, and as a Registered Kinesiologist. Spending seven years so far in these roles has deepened my understanding of the intricate connection between physical and mental health. I am a strong advocate for both as equally important forms of healing, and I am especially passionate about helping individuals reconnect to their somatic experiences and felt sense. Over the years, I have had the honour and privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds with issues including chronic pain, self-esteem, body image, identity, and imposterism. As a proud Taiwanese-Canadian woman and second generation immigrant, I also aim to support bicultural individuals by helping them navigate cultural and intergenerational challenges, expanding on their cultural narratives, and drawing on their unique cultural strengths and perspectives. In my work as an Olympic Weightlifting coach, I have also worked closely with youth and teen athletes on issues including performance anxiety, perfectionism, and belonging. As a counsellor, my approach is rooted in cultural humility, compassion, and curiosity. In our sessions, you can expect a warm, empathetic, and grounded clinician who works alongside you in collaborative exploration. I understand the importance of giving voice to your experiences and I hold space for you to show up as you are. I firmly believe in your internal wisdom and your capacity for self-actualization. Together, we can cultivate your natural intuition, strengths, and resources to help you feel empowered and embodied in your true self.

I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in the beautiful Vancouver, Canada. As someone who grew up with minimal exposure to mental health and living under the pressures of being "perfect," I've learned different ways to reframe, extend compassion, and embrace mistakes. Outside of counselling, I'm also an avid lover of video games, ultimate frisbee, and all things food.

Do you want to reduce the pain and suffering in your life? I have vast knowledge and experience working with people struggling with chronic pain, trauma, emotional neglect, grief and persistent depression/anxiety. This knowledge comes from lived experience, professional education and expertise, and continuous learning and research to help you overcome your unique challenges and improve your quality of life. I have an honest, empathetic, and collaborative style to explore, understand, and bring awareness to the underlying causes of your current challenges. I see my role as a compassionate witness and guide, helping you with your healing journey and building you towards a better future. I strive to ensure you feel understood and heard as we work together to bring healing to your life. I'll provide knowledge and skills to further your understanding of your struggles, promote healing, and get you to a better place. As we work together, I desire to see you achieve your goals and get the most out of your life. Some of the benefits my clients have received are: - Reduction in pain, pain flares, and pain intensity. - Improved coping and more in control of their lives. - Better boundaries, improved self-care, increased function, and better quality of life - Reduction of trauma triggers, trauma symptoms, and trauma's effect on their lives. - Increase in self-confidence, self-worth, self-esteem, and self-value. - Reduction in people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-critical tendencies. - Increased awareness and knowledge. - Fewer feelings of sadness, anger, emptiness, shame, and guilt. - Enhanced spiritual and social connections. - Improved sleep and ability to relax. - Reduced distress from grief and loss. When you're ready to get more out of life, I'm ready to help. Please book a free 15-minute consultation on my booking page (accessed through my website) or email me to find out how I can help you.

Hello and Welcome! My name is Wrenna! I genuinely enjoy getting to know people and believe that human connection can be a powerful foundation for healing and growth, one that is unique to each person. Starting therapy with someone new can be a daunting yet impactful journey. I work to create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where you feel heard and supported. I pull from evidence-based approaches to deepen self-understanding and enhance navigation through life’s challenges. Therapy is a collaborative process designed for YOU, so our time together will be guided by your context, your needs, your direction, and at your own pace. If you feel we may be a good fit, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to meeting with you!

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, specializing in nervous system regulation and the mind-body connection. My work focuses on understanding how chronic stress, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, trauma, and chronic pain can impact both psychological and physiological wellbeing. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities including CBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and person-centered therapy to support emotional awareness, resilience, and lasting personal growth. I am passionate about psychoeducation and helping individuals better understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and nervous system responses. I strive to create a grounded, compassionate, and collaborative therapeutic environment where healing, self-understanding, and meaningful change can take place.

as a queer, feminist therapist, i support other careworkers and community organizers who want to feel resourced and held in their work. i specialize in the areas of grief work, including disenfranchised, complex grief and sudden and traumatic loss, chronic illness and disability, existential concerns and feelings of overwhelm. i'm trained in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), somatic attachment therapy, and clinical hypnosis. i also support clients with things like OCD, body-focused repetitive behaviours, and fears and phobias. my work is experiential, embodied, and intuitive. what this means for therapy is that we’ll spend a lot of time together learning and practising new tools and skills that you can immediately apply in your daily life. my hope is for you to feelbetter resourced to handle the inevitable stress that comes with life under late-stage capitalism. and, as we work to clarify your values and unhook from systems of oppression, i hope you'll also discover a renewed sense of focus so you can get clear about how to best allocate your energy and time. i bring two decades of experience to my clinical work, primarily in the non-profit sector doing work in harm reduction, outreach, supportive housing and with people living with HIV. i currently work part time as a counsellor in hospice providing care to people in bereavement, as well as those at end of life and their caregivers.