Counselling Services: Nature-based, Outdoors

Thriving Roots Counselling Services offers counselling sessions for youth, families and adults to explore and expand their relationship to the natural world, while creating a therapeutic environment through evidence-based counselling practices. Counsellors provide support for folks who are looking for an alternative approach to office-based counselling services. Thriving Roots is based on a ph... Read More

Thriving Roots Counselling Services offers counselling sessions for youth, families and adults to explore and expand their relationship to the natural world, while creating a therapeutic environment through evidence-based counselling practices. Counsellors provide support for folks who are looking for an alternative approach to office-based counselling services. Thriving Roots is based on a philosophy that creates opportunities for deep connection to self, others and the natural world in order to strengthen these bonds that can help support clients with an array of challenges.

Why Nature-based counselling?

Nature-based counselling is an experiential form of therapy because we are engaging with the natural world to help us grow and develop with the idea that people are connected to and impacted by their natural environment. We often use therapeutic games, reflection questions, sensory experiences, mindfulness practices, and regulation/restorative activities to help clients meet their needs and overcome challenges.

Who is it for?

Thriving Roots Counselling Services are for youth (6+), teens, adults and families who enjoy an outdoor, nature-based approach. There are possibilities to meet up online due to inclement weather or to build confidence and rapport before taking the sessions outdoors. Many folks seek out our services because they have exhausted the indoor, office setting approach or because they already feel more comfortable outside.


Counselling Services: In-person, Office

In-person, office-based sessions are currently available on Fridays at Vanya's Hillside office. *Occasionally office-based sessions are available on Saturdays, pls request this using the waitlist option or email Vanya directly: vanya@thrivingroots.org.   Counselling can support your personal development by responding to your particular circumstances, whether integrating and processing anxiet... Read More

In-person, office-based sessions are currently available on Fridays at Vanya's Hillside office. *Occasionally office-based sessions are available on Saturdays, pls request this using the waitlist option or email Vanya directly: vanya@thrivingroots.org.
 
Counselling can support your personal development by responding to your particular circumstances, whether integrating and processing anxiety, grief/loss, trauma/PTSD, family or relationship challenges, stress/burnout, life transitions, or disconnection from self and the natural world. Our counsellors help you recognize and build on the strides you’ve already made in your life’s journey while helping you develop more skills to navigate the challenges.

Our counselling services are informed by research and practice in wholeness-focused, trauma-informed, somatic/body-oriented, mindfulness-based, and nature connected approaches for adults, families and youth ages 6+.

Sessions are available at our office (Hillside) or in person outdoors at selected parks and trails.
*Nature-based sessions: Pls book an initial session in person at the office or online via a telehealth session before we book your first outdoor, nature-based session.

Megan is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and deeply passionate about meeting her clients where they are and walking alongside them on the path they choose.

Megan loves to honour our place in our natural world and she believes that when we connect with more-than-human nature, we can find a sense of belonging anywhere.

She has experience working with children, youth, and adults from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences who express difficulties around anxiety, depression, social relationships, eating disorders and body image. She also has worked with folks who have experienced trauma and she is passionate about supporting clients who experience symptoms related to DID and chronic pain.

She utilizes an integrative approach, pulling on art, storytelling, and somatic approaches in her practice. She is grounded in relational, anti-oppressive, ancestral-honouring, and intersectional approaches to support work towards collective co-liberation.

While relaxing, Megan enjoys hiking with her husband, singing, teaching her cat tricks, and cycling.

Megan is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and deeply passionate about meeting her clients w... Read More

Stevie (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who offers an inclusive and welcoming space to her clients. With fierce compassion, she accompanies clients on a path toward self-discovery amidst the natural world. She specializes in the areas of gender identity, neurodiversity, mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression, and navigating the complex landscape of grief. Stevie is passionate about supporting diverse communities, and those who navigate life beyond the boundaries of mainstream societal norms and traditional cultural frameworks. She has over a decade of trauma-informed experience supporting adults, families, and children. Her counselling approach is integrative, weaving various therapeutic techniques to support each person's unique journey. She holds the belief that the unique range of human expressions and experiences should be normalized and celebrated, rather than pathologized. Stevie incorporates parts work into the sessions to reframe and support the multifaceted way each person is resourced. This somatic and mindful approach supports folks in cultivating a balanced and empowered mindset, facilitating the cultivation of greater inner trust as they engage in the journey of self-discovery and meaning-making. In her downtime, Stevie can be found hanging out with her dear friends around a fire, singing, dancing, or snuggled up with her tiny, 15 year old Yorkie named Dali. Stevie is delighted to offer her services to youth, families, couples and individual adults, with Thriving Roots Counselling Services on Mondays outdoors and Tuesdays online.

Stevie (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who offers an inclusive and welcoming... Read More

Vanya is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Internal Family Systems (informed) and a Certified Hakomi Practitioner.  Vanya’s basket of skills weave together mindfulness, a body-centered and trauma-informed approach, along with deep nature connection. She holds a deeply compassionate and nourishing space for her clients that is both gentle and grounded. Clients feel welcomed and valued in Vanya’s calm, supporting presence. 

Vanya is a highly competent and respectful counsellor who holds kindness and curiousity as her gold standards. She is committed to honoring the unique qualities of each individual and helping them discover their own innate resources for well-being. Whether you are healing from a trauma, anxious about this stage in your life, or adapting to a changing world, working with Vanya can help you cultivate a more meaningful life and develop skills to navigate the challenges.

Vanya is currently working with individual adults, families and children age 6+. Her sessions take place online, in person (office near Mayfair Mall), as well as out in nature in public parks/trails north of downtown Victoria. Location possibilities: Beaver Lake/Elk Lake, Francis King Regional Park, and the Highlands Thriving Roots property.

Vanya offers a free 10-minute Q & A call by phone, video or in person to see if you would be a good fit to work together or to inquire about counselling services for yourself, child or family. Or set up a 30 min meet and greet to discuss longer questions and get to know her before doing a full session.

Vanya is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Internal Family Systems (informed) and a Certified Ha... Read More

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