Queer Affirming Therapists in Vancouver

Julie has Master’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Counselling and is currently finishing her doctorate’s degree in clinical psychology. In addition to professional training and experiences in psychotherapy and treatment, clinical counselling, behavioural intervention, and neuropsychological assessments, Julie also has a background in psychological research at the doctoral level and uses the empirical insights gained from previous studies to supplement her current clinical practice, making her unique as a practitioner of both clinical-scientist and scientist-practitioner models. Julie has worked with BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA), Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), Chimo Community Services, and local medical clinics and healthcare centres. She has provided individual and couple/family therapy, treatments, and assessments to individuals for disorders and issues including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, feeding and eating disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, neurocognitive disorders, affect management, self-regulation, stress management, sexual/physical abuse and violence, crisis intervention and stabilization, couple/marital/parenting conflicts, academic/work stress, identity crisis/exploration, self-introspective needs, loneliness, and relationship difficulties. She identifies as a cisgender female who is open to clients belonging to the LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Julie applies an integrated theoretical framework informed by trauma theory, understanding of behavioral and neuropsychology, and multicultural sensitivity to her eclectic therapeutic approach. As an advocate of positive psychology who understands that mental health is more than the absence of illness, she focuses on building success and helping clients flourish rather than merely reducing distress. Her clinical repertoire includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CASE Approach for Risk/Suicide Assessment, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Experiencing/Body Awareness Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Clinical Hypnosis. Owning to her mixed ethnic heritage, she is a native speaker of English, Mandarin, and Hokkien, and has conversational-level skills in Japanese and Cantonese.

If you find yourself navigating through the complexities of life, know that seeking counselling is a courageous and empowering choice. People seek counselling for a myriad of reasons, each journey as unique as the individual taking the first step. You might be facing the pressure of anxiety, the shadows of depression, or the echoes of past traumas. Life's challenges can be multifaceted, stemming from personal relationships, work-related stress, existential questioning, or unforeseen transitions. As a couple, you may be experiencing the severance of disconnection, rupture of infidelity, or the growing pains of change. I combine a tapestry of approaches to support you on your transformative journey. Mindfulness techniques provide a grounding anchor to the present, while Adlerian therapy delves into understanding the influence of your past on your current self. For couples therapy, I incorporate the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy to rebuild your foundations. Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed, my practice is a safe haven for individuals of all backgrounds and identities. No matter what brings you to therapy, we can cultivate resilience, uncover your inner wisdom, and empower you to live authentically and aligned with your values. With warmth, I am looking forward to connecting with you.

Hi, I'm Nicole (she/they). You might wonder what therapy can offer you, and that is a fair question. I used to ask the same thing and I remember my first therapy session as a client, I was so nervous I got in a car accident on my way to the appointment. Being vulnerable and sharing a piece of yourself can be so intimidating. It makes sense to feel nervous. Reaching out for support is challenging, and can also be empowering, I commend you for considering it. I am committed to providing as safe a space as is possible to those who would choose to trust me with their story. Part of that includes an understanding of how systemic power and inequity impacts us all. I navigate the world as a white, settler woman. I also have lived experience with chronic illness, and a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis. These, among other pieces of my identity, impact my lived experiences of the world as your identity impacts yours. Because of this, I use an intersectional, systemic approach in my work, leaning on Feminist Theory and utilize AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and Narrative techniques. I believe you have resources and answers within yourself, and I am honoured to support you as you discover and grow in your own strength. I take a collaborative approach, meaning you get to play an active role in deciding how our time together is spent. Ultimately, I am committed to your healing and will use all of the tools at my disposal to support you on your journey. My hope for you is that you flourish in your life, and are able to feel all of the joy and delight that comes from that.

Hi, I’m Natasha (she/her) At the heart of my practice is a deep value of connection and a belief in both the wisdom of the body and our innate ability to heal and thrive. I have a masters degree in counselling (MC) and work as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia. I also have specialized training in trauma. My approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and draws on Feminist Theory. My therapeutic orientation is Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and integrates somatic therapy, inner child exploration and internal parts work. I’m drawn to these experiential approaches as they recognize the systemic interconnection of our mind, body, and emotions, as well as our greater society and environment. I believe you are the expert of your life and already hold many answers and innate resources. In collaboration together, I focus on creating a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship that helps you navigate difficulties, re-connect with your internal strengths and resources, while also celebrating your successes and joys along the way. Throughout this process, I take a non-judgmental stance and remain committed to your healing. During a session, I may invite you to notice what is happening for you in the present moment, fostering curiosity about your experience as we work together. Through mindful exploration, we can make space for your feelings, emotions, and sensations to be expressed and released, transform core beliefs that may be keeping you feeling stuck, heal relational wounds, and reconnect with your authentic core self. These processes may enhance your resilience and foster growth and change. Currently, I am offering sessions online using an encrypted video platform called Jane and am able to offer support to those living in British Columbia. If therapy is something you are curious about, please reach out or visit my website for more information! I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can spend a bit of time getting to know each other and discuss what you’re looking for in therapy. I look forward to getting to know you and hearing your story!

Have you ever rushed out the door only to realize you forgot something or spilled coffee all over yourself? Have you ever said to yourself, “I'm tired of feeling this way/ I shouldn’t be feeling like this,” yet the feelings persist and sometimes come back stronger? These may seem like two distinct, unrelated instances I am raising, but I parallel them with how we often approach our problems: we tend to want to rush through them or judge ourselves for having the emotions and reactions to the difficulties life tosses at us. I’m here to propose an alternative: your feelings are valid, no matter what you’re seeking help for. We rarely move through life with intention and space to slow down and reflect. I see counselling as a dedicated space created for you by you to get curious about yourself, tend to the parts that need some fine-tuning and updates, and process some uncomfortable emotions that the outside world doesn’t always give space for. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultations for all clients who are interested in working with me. Looking up therapists is a big step – in my opinion, you are already halfway from where you began to where you would like to be!

Hi! My name is Mila Loskutova and I'm a registered clinical counsellor. I am a queer, immigrant settler woman. I am passionate about supporting folks healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues and OCD. I use a mix of gentle talk therapy that helps individuals dive deeper into self-exploration and more structured approaches for specific concerns, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I am mindful and curious about how our identities and the systems we live in shape the way we move through the world. My approach is humanistic, anti-oppressive and sometimes irreverent. I enjoy helping people create and deepen meaning in their lives. I am available online and in person at my office at 315, 2083 Alma Street, Vancouver.

i, sarah anne (they/them), am a queer, neurodivergent, non-binary registered clinical counselor residing on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) nations. in my therapy practice i use a creative blend of internal family systems (parts work) and somatic therapies to support individuals, couples, and multi-partner relationships to connect to themselves and others with curiosity, compassion, and clarity. many of my clients are queer, non-monogamous, neurodiverse, or kinky, and i aim to provide an inclusive space for anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with self, others, and spirit. my approach to sexuality is non-pathologizing and pleasure-centered. spiritually, i hold a non-dual and animate worldview, which supports me to approach therapy from a holistic perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of body and environment. i’m delighted to be offering ketamine-assisted-therapy in collaboration with field trip health and am currently completing the requirements to be an approved psilocibin-assisted-therapy provider with therapsil. outside of work, you’ll find me playing with clay, drinking tea mindfully, wandering in the woods, taking a dance class, and reading books.

Hi, I’m Larissa (she/her). I navigate the world as a queer, cis woman with mixed ancestry. My mom’s side being settlers from Europe and my dad’s family being Coast Salish from Sq’ewqétl (Skowkale) First Nation. That in-between space shapes how I understand identity belonging, and the complexity of people’s experiences. My counselling approach is flexible and relational, drawing from person-centered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), strengths based, and mindfulness and rooted in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed care. I recognize that many of the struggles we carry are shaped not just internally, but by the systems and environments we exist in. I work with young adults and adults, including women and folx who identify as queer and LGBTQIA+, and aim to create a space where all parts of you are welcome, even and especially the messy or uncertain ones. Outside of counselling, I enjoy slowing down through arts and crafts (most recently diamond art and junk journaling) and spending time with my therapy cat (who often likes to sit in on work-from-home sessions). I also love exploring new places, whether that’s close to home or another country. I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

Welcome. As a therapist with queer-lived experience and a heartfelt desire to see people thrive, not just survive, I look forward to meeting you wherever you are in this moment. You might be carrying something you've held on to on your own for a long time, or you and your partner might keep arriving at the same hard conversation. Either way, I'm glad you're here. I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) offering individual and relationship therapy, in person in East Vancouver and virtually across BC and Ontario. My practice is split evenly between the two. I'm a gay cisgender man, and I come to this work with lived experience as part of a marginalized community. My work is queer-affirming, and I welcome people in all relationship structures, including polyamorous and open relationships. You won't need to explain or justify who you are or how you love before we get to what brought you in. In individual therapy, people often come to me when anxiety or self-doubt is taking up too much room, or when a change in their life has left them unsure of who they are now. I draw on Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and an attachment-based approach. Together we get curious about the different parts of you, including the ones that are critical or afraid, and about how your early relationships shaped the way you relate to yourself and to others today. Over time, most clients find they can meet themselves with more compassion and make choices that reflect what matters to them. Many people come to me because of work. Before training as a counsellor, I spent fifteen years inside the corporate world, in tech and human resources, so the context is already in the room. I know what a reorganization costs and what it is like to sit in a performance review that isn't going the way you hoped. I see burnout as what happens when the demands on you keep outpacing what you have to give, often in a workplace that makes it hard to say so. In our sessions, we work on the conversations you've been avoiding and on who you are when the job that has defined you stops fitting. Along the way, we reconnect you with your sense of agency, so your decisions line up with the person you want to be. In couples therapy, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method. We slow down the moments where you miss each other and look at what each of you is feeling and needing underneath. From there, we build ways of talking and listening that bring you closer. Some couples come to strengthen something that is already good. Others come at a turning point, such as opening their relationship or rebuilding trust. I think of myself as a fellow traveller. I walk alongside you while you find your way, and I treat you as the expert on your own life. I bring training, structure, and an outside view. As an RCC, my sessions are covered by many extended health plans. If you'd like to find out whether we're a good fit, you can book a free 20-minute consultation.