A Little About Me
Hello and welcome! My name is Rosie (she/her) and I am a registered clinical counsellor based on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations, known colonially as Vancouver, Canada.
Counselling is a vulnerable and relational process. Here’s some information about me so you can make an informed decision about our potential connection.
Some identities that inform who I am as an individual and as a counsellor are white, uninvited settler, cis, able-bodied, mama, sister, auntie, partner, friend, daughter, cyclist, dancer, singer, music lover, and outdoor enthusiast.
My relational approach to counselling is trauma-informed, collaborative, and anti-oppressive. I integrate multiple modalities into my practice, most notably narrative therapy, somatic therapy, and mindfulness.
The vibrant energy and diversity of my community hold a special place in my heart. I feel most at home in nature and incredibly privileged and am grateful for the teachings and trust of my clients.
Learning & Unlearning
I hold a Masters in Counselling Degree from City University and a Bachelors Degreee in Psychology from UBC. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and I am committed to ongoing education, training, and supervision.
I recognize the powerful influence my identities have on my opportunities, beliefs, and perspectives. To engage with clients in an informed, empathic, and non-judgmental way, I'm dedicated to ongoing learning and unlearning. While this work is imperfect, I approach it with humility, openness, and a readiness to confront my own biases and limitations.
How My Journey Began
I grew up in a big family of seven siblings, and from a young age, I was fascinated by human beings and what shapes us. A friend once described my childhood home as “happy chaos,” and I’ve come to value the teachings of my unique story. The differing ways my siblings and I perceived, engaged with, and were treated by the world taught me to hold compassion and curiosity toward others.
My journey to becoming a counsellor was not a direct one. I attended multiple universities before completing my undergrad, travelled, worked in the service industry, and spent time working in the non-profit sector. Throughout the decade or so that I wandered, I embraced life’s lessons through trial and error and built many moments of meaning and connection. I craved a career that would allow me to continue to learn and grow. Ultimately, my past experiences have shaped the way I approach counselling, and I am grateful for the winding path that brought me here.
Before I became a counsellor, I worked for many years at a non-profit organization in the Downtown Eastside as a mental health support worker, the connections I made there I still think about daily. I remember often feeling inspired, by the way folks took care of one another, and held space for each other, while caught in the throes of the most difficult life experiences. Through this work, I gained a deep understanding of the effects of trauma on the mind and body, as well as the complex intersections of social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to trauma and adversity.
Today, I live with my wonderful partner and our vibrant toddler. The transition to motherhood has been a transformative and humbling journey for me. I had a difficult birth, not at all what I imagined or envisioned. The grief and joy all at once in the first moments of motherhood reminded me that I am grateful for the support in my life, it’s important to be gracious towards yourself, and a certain amount of “surrendering” to what life throws at you can go a long way. I have a new perspective on the depth of what it means to care for another person: how to hold space for their big emotions, how to accept them as they are and tolerate all parts of them. This job is complex and messy and we are perfectly imperfect at it.
As a counsellor, I strive to create a trusting relationship with my clients, where they can feel comfortable enough to show up as their true selves. We all deserve unconditional positive regard and acceptance. I believe healing begins when we are seen and accepted by another person. I hope to be that person for my clients.
