top of page

Untitled design (3).png

Untitled design (4).png

Untitled design (5).png

Contacting Qualia Reed
and Winding Road Therapy

Business Hours

Sunday - Limited (Contact to book)

Monday - 9:00am to 9:00pm PST

Tuesday - 9:00am to 9:00pm PST

Wednesday - 9:00am to 9:00pm PST

Thursday - 9:00am to 6:00pm PST

Friday - 8:30am to 6:00pm PST

Saturday - Limited (Contact to book)

Book Qualia Here

Contact Qualia via email at:

windingroadcounsellingservices@gmail.com

All emails will be responded to within one business day or reach out to Qualia at Psychology Today.

What does this mean to you? This has been a tough one for me earlier in life and has been something that with practice, has helped me live a much more meaningful life.

As we build our practice in life, we create awareness and in that awareness we can create a kind of space where exist in a situation and take action in a way that is meaningful and aligns with who we want to be in our story.
The process to develop that sense of psychological flexibility is in a way, a journey we embark on to move toward that person we are in the process of becoming.
#mentalhealth #ACT #counselling #psychotherapy #therapist

What does this mean to you? This has been a tough one for me earlier in life and has been something that with practice, has helped me live a much more meaningful life.

As we build our practice in life, we create awareness and in that awareness we can create a kind of space where exist in a situation and take action in a way that is meaningful and aligns with who we want to be in our story.
The process to develop that sense of psychological flexibility is in a way, a journey we embark on to move toward that person we are in the process of becoming.
#mentalhealth #ACT #counselling #psychotherapy #therapist

I talk a lot about exploring meaning and purpose in life. In my experience, these are such vital pieces in how we navigate life to be ultimately satisfying. Things can get tricky though when we know what would be meaningful or purposeful but we shy away from reaching for it. This is where courage comes in and why our level of personal courage impacts our growth or shrinking this quote talks about.
Don't let yourself be disheartened by what you perceive as a lack of courage though. Courage isn't fixed. We can practice it! We can grow and develop it like a muscle and in that sense, therapy can be like going to a personal trainer to help customize exercises that will fit your goals and life.

#counselling #mentalhealth #courage #therapy #meaning

I talk a lot about exploring meaning and purpose in life. In my experience, these are such vital pieces in how we navigate life to be ultimately satisfying. Things can get tricky though when we know what would be meaningful or purposeful but we shy away from reaching for it. This is where courage comes in and why our level of personal courage impacts our growth or shrinking this quote talks about.
Don't let yourself be disheartened by what you perceive as a lack of courage though. Courage isn't fixed. We can practice it! We can grow and develop it like a muscle and in that sense, therapy can be like going to a personal trainer to help customize exercises that will fit your goals and life.

#counselling #mentalhealth #courage #therapy #meaning

How do we respond to what life throws at us? When we feel hopeless it's an opportunity to remember we still get to choose how we respond. It takes practice, and I'm not gonna lie, it can be a lot of work but that's why I describe therapy as a practice. It's something we embark on throughout our journey in life. You've got this. Keep going!

#counselling #mentalhealth #psychotherapy #windingroadcounselling #counsellorsofbc

How do we respond to what life throws at us? When we feel hopeless it's an opportunity to remember we still get to choose how we respond. It takes practice, and I'm not gonna lie, it can be a lot of work but that's why I describe therapy as a practice. It's something we embark on throughout our journey in life. You've got this. Keep going!

#counselling #mentalhealth #psychotherapy #windingroadcounselling #counsellorsofbc

I have said "all you need is love" since I was a kid. It was shocking to me to make it to 30 before I realized that I had no idea what love actually was, or what it meant to me.
Love is scary. It's full of risk, pain, and loss. I thought I knew what love was because I had seen movies, and felt a lot of big feels for people over the years of my life. When I look back, it feels like I was playing, acting, and mostly reaching out for something in the dark even when I didn't know what I was reaching for. Looking back, I think I was reaching for myself. I had to learn how to love myself, and after I did that, everything else began to fall into place.

Frankl discusses how loving someone, or allowing others to love us, can be one of the ways we find meaning in life.

What does love mean to you in your story?

#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #love #therapy

I have said "all you need is love" since I was a kid. It was shocking to me to make it to 30 before I realized that I had no idea what love actually was, or what it meant to me.
Love is scary. It's full of risk, pain, and loss. I thought I knew what love was because I had seen movies, and felt a lot of big feels for people over the years of my life. When I look back, it feels like I was playing, acting, and mostly reaching out for something in the dark even when I didn't know what I was reaching for. Looking back, I think I was reaching for myself. I had to learn how to love myself, and after I did that, everything else began to fall into place.

Frankl discusses how loving someone, or allowing others to love us, can be one of the ways we find meaning in life.

What does love mean to you in your story?

#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #love #therapy

Being kind has benefits, not only to those we are kind to but also to ourselves. Kindness is part of us. It's a choice, and a practice but it has been shown to decrease blood pressure, lower cortisol and decrease intrusive thoughts. Externally, kindness is a way forward where we slowly change the world.
Kindness doesn't mean being a doormat, or letting yourself be taken advantage of. You can say no kindly, resist tyranny with kindness and fight injustice with kindness.
What comes up for you when you think of the concept of kindness?

#mentalhealth #weirdal #counselling #counsellor #therapy

Being kind has benefits, not only to those we are kind to but also to ourselves. Kindness is part of us. It's a choice, and a practice but it has been shown to decrease blood pressure, lower cortisol and decrease intrusive thoughts. Externally, kindness is a way forward where we slowly change the world.
Kindness doesn't mean being a doormat, or letting yourself be taken advantage of. You can say no kindly, resist tyranny with kindness and fight injustice with kindness.
What comes up for you when you think of the concept of kindness?

#mentalhealth #weirdal #counselling #counsellor #therapy

It's hard to find words when the unspeakable occurs. No one should ever have to suffer the horror of gun violence, and that this has happened to children is even more heartbreaking.

I'm grateful to have the strict gun laws that we have that a tragedy like this is rare in Canada but that this happens at all should be reason enough to make guns even harder to come by. We all deserve to live in a place where mental health supports are available and affordable and accessible. We all deserve to feel supported in life so that desperation, hatred and violence do not become our lived reality.
If you are feeling affected by this tragedy and feel like counselling support would benefit you, please reach out and we can set up a time to meet for a free session to assist you in this dark time or help you find appropriate resources for what you're needing.

#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #therapy #grief

It's hard to find words when the unspeakable occurs. No one should ever have to suffer the horror of gun violence, and that this has happened to children is even more heartbreaking.

I'm grateful to have the strict gun laws that we have that a tragedy like this is rare in Canada but that this happens at all should be reason enough to make guns even harder to come by. We all deserve to live in a place where mental health supports are available and affordable and accessible. We all deserve to feel supported in life so that desperation, hatred and violence do not become our lived reality.
If you are feeling affected by this tragedy and feel like counselling support would benefit you, please reach out and we can set up a time to meet for a free session to assist you in this dark time or help you find appropriate resources for what you're needing.

#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #therapy #grief

Knowledge is great, but insight alone wont create change. We need to act, to strive forward to create changes in life and a lot of that comes down to practice. I say all the time that everything is practice. Therapy is part of our life practice, it's another way of taking care of ourselves. Ask the questions, but use that knowledge to move forward.
Life can feel so overwhelming at times with the amount of knowledge seemingly out there. For now though, what are you choosing?
#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #psychotherapy #therapy

Knowledge is great, but insight alone wont create change. We need to act, to strive forward to create changes in life and a lot of that comes down to practice. I say all the time that everything is practice. Therapy is part of our life practice, it's another way of taking care of ourselves. Ask the questions, but use that knowledge to move forward.
Life can feel so overwhelming at times with the amount of knowledge seemingly out there. For now though, what are you choosing?
#mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #psychotherapy #therapy

Therapy will never be apolitical because we are all connected. I can't support you as your therapist to hate the other, or give you some kind of moral or psychological free pass to discriminate and be cruel. We're all connected and I truly believe that if you are hating, discriminating, and spreading cruelty, then you're also poisoning your own well.

If we work together I'm going to support your growth. Sometimes that means encouraging you, sometimes it means challenging you but always supporting you.

#counselling #psychotherapy #mentalhealth #counsellorsofbc #love

Therapy will never be apolitical because we are all connected. I can't support you as your therapist to hate the other, or give you some kind of moral or psychological free pass to discriminate and be cruel. We're all connected and I truly believe that if you are hating, discriminating, and spreading cruelty, then you're also poisoning your own well.

If we work together I'm going to support your growth. Sometimes that means encouraging you, sometimes it means challenging you but always supporting you.

#counselling #psychotherapy #mentalhealth #counsellorsofbc #love

Thinking about this as I ran my 6km loop around the marsh today listening to this song by the Tragically Hip. Nostalgia feels nice, but it's important to remember it's thinking about the past just as much as when we feel awful about the past and ruminate on it.
In session I always say the past is a destination we can never revisit. It's effectively gone forever. This is where I always go when I hear political and cultural voices talking about how everything will be better if we go back, we'll make (blank) great again if we go back.
There is no going back and the continual attempts to live in the past will only bring our destruction. The only way to be is present. And the only way to move is foreward.
Sure. Nostalgia can feel good but it's okay to let go of the past for good or ill. Let's move forward together.

#mentalhealth #psychotherapy #counselling #counsellor #counsellorlife

Thinking about this as I ran my 6km loop around the marsh today listening to this song by the Tragically Hip. Nostalgia feels nice, but it's important to remember it's thinking about the past just as much as when we feel awful about the past and ruminate on it.
In session I always say the past is a destination we can never revisit. It's effectively gone forever. This is where I always go when I hear political and cultural voices talking about how everything will be better if we go back, we'll make (blank) great again if we go back.
There is no going back and the continual attempts to live in the past will only bring our destruction. The only way to be is present. And the only way to move is foreward.
Sure. Nostalgia can feel good but it's okay to let go of the past for good or ill. Let's move forward together.

#mentalhealth #psychotherapy #counselling #counsellor #counsellorlife

This has been life changing for me. When we practice radical acceptance, it becomes easier to sit in ourselves and feel feelings, yet have a space between feelings and actions. Accepting that I have feelings as all humans do, but I get to make choices and decisions based on who I want to be in life has been transformational. It's a daily practice but it can be amazing what happens inside when we start this mix of acceptance and choice.

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #mentalhealth #psychotherapy #therapist

This has been life changing for me. When we practice radical acceptance, it becomes easier to sit in ourselves and feel feelings, yet have a space between feelings and actions. Accepting that I have feelings as all humans do, but I get to make choices and decisions based on who I want to be in life has been transformational. It's a daily practice but it can be amazing what happens inside when we start this mix of acceptance and choice.

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #mentalhealth #psychotherapy #therapist

This is a tough one but I truly believe there is a treasure chest under the surface if we're able to reach for it.

The world can feel pretty messed up. The 24 hour news cycle, social media, AI, and relentless advertising are not making anything better either. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with feelings of despair, loneliness, hatred, and hopelessness.
Frankl applied these thoughts to his experience going through the concentration camps of Nazi Germany and I truly believe we can apply these lessons to our lives, and that with the global rise of authoritarianism, these lessons are more relevant than ever.

The search for meaning is a lifelong journey, and how we frame our experience in the bad times can count for a lot.
I highly recommend everyone read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" as it has some amazing stuff in it to help us through the journey.

#mentalhealth #depression #counselling #counsellorsofbc #therapy

This is a tough one but I truly believe there is a treasure chest under the surface if we're able to reach for it.

The world can feel pretty messed up. The 24 hour news cycle, social media, AI, and relentless advertising are not making anything better either. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with feelings of despair, loneliness, hatred, and hopelessness.
Frankl applied these thoughts to his experience going through the concentration camps of Nazi Germany and I truly believe we can apply these lessons to our lives, and that with the global rise of authoritarianism, these lessons are more relevant than ever.

The search for meaning is a lifelong journey, and how we frame our experience in the bad times can count for a lot.
I highly recommend everyone read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" as it has some amazing stuff in it to help us through the journey.

#mentalhealth #depression #counselling #counsellorsofbc #therapy

With everything happening in the world it can feel like we're in the darkest timeline, it can feel like nothing is real anymore. Feeling like nothing is real can be so distressing and drain us of hope and joy.
We need to think about it like being in a blindfold exercise. You wear a blindfold and trust someone to lead you through the dark.

We have to choose someone close to us, a friend or family member or a professional such as a doctor or counsellor, to walk with us, and help us find our way back to the light.

#counselling #mentalhealth #therapy #depression #windingroadcounselling

With everything happening in the world it can feel like we're in the darkest timeline, it can feel like nothing is real anymore. Feeling like nothing is real can be so distressing and drain us of hope and joy.
We need to think about it like being in a blindfold exercise. You wear a blindfold and trust someone to lead you through the dark.

We have to choose someone close to us, a friend or family member or a professional such as a doctor or counsellor, to walk with us, and help us find our way back to the light.

#counselling #mentalhealth #therapy #depression #windingroadcounselling

We think about learning so much we sometimes forget that unlearning or letting go of past ideas and beliefs is also important.
It's okay to be you. It's okay to let go of the past or of the ways you conceptualized yourself if that is no longer suiting who you are in your story.
It can be very useful to reflect on what we know and what we believe and ask "is that my voice saying that or someone else's?"

#mentalhealth #lettinggo #counselling #counsellorsofbc #windingroadcounselling

We think about learning so much we sometimes forget that unlearning or letting go of past ideas and beliefs is also important.
It's okay to be you. It's okay to let go of the past or of the ways you conceptualized yourself if that is no longer suiting who you are in your story.
It can be very useful to reflect on what we know and what we believe and ask "is that my voice saying that or someone else's?"

#mentalhealth #lettinggo #counselling #counsellorsofbc #windingroadcounselling

This notion stuck out to me as I work my way through my ACT course because it's been a vital piece in my journey to become a therapist. Having lived in the space of nurse, medic, etc where I show up and say "here's your meds" or "doc says to do this" it's important to me to move into this space where I get to ask "what does healing and support and growth mean to you? What's valuable to you? And How can I support you best today?"

It's so important for us to check out experience. What experience am I having? How does it make me feel, do I need something? And if so, how do I ask for what I need?

That's why therapy is a partnership, a meeting and a collaboration so that we can design care and support that fits your experience.

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #therapy #mentalhealth #windingroadcounselling

This notion stuck out to me as I work my way through my ACT course because it's been a vital piece in my journey to become a therapist. Having lived in the space of nurse, medic, etc where I show up and say "here's your meds" or "doc says to do this" it's important to me to move into this space where I get to ask "what does healing and support and growth mean to you? What's valuable to you? And How can I support you best today?"

It's so important for us to check out experience. What experience am I having? How does it make me feel, do I need something? And if so, how do I ask for what I need?

That's why therapy is a partnership, a meeting and a collaboration so that we can design care and support that fits your experience.

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #therapy #mentalhealth #windingroadcounselling

I hear from so many people that they can see the direction but can't make the change happen. I often remark that no matter how smart we are, we can't think our way out of a feeling. We can have opportunities to develop greater insight. I think going to therapy can be a great example of this. But your counsellor can't fix the problem or change your life for you. It's the counsellors job to support you as you develop insight, learn skills, and take action. At the end of the day, we can be supported so well, but we still need to act.
But! We still don't need to be alone in this. Counselling helps us deepen skills, explore courage to take the actions we know we feel we need to be taking.

Is there something you've been wanting to change but don't feel able or ready to make the change necessary?

#counselling #mentalhealth #counsellorsofbc #therapy #nanaimo

I hear from so many people that they can see the direction but can't make the change happen. I often remark that no matter how smart we are, we can't think our way out of a feeling. We can have opportunities to develop greater insight. I think going to therapy can be a great example of this. But your counsellor can't fix the problem or change your life for you. It's the counsellors job to support you as you develop insight, learn skills, and take action. At the end of the day, we can be supported so well, but we still need to act.
But! We still don't need to be alone in this. Counselling helps us deepen skills, explore courage to take the actions we know we feel we need to be taking.

Is there something you've been wanting to change but don't feel able or ready to make the change necessary?

#counselling #mentalhealth #counsellorsofbc #therapy #nanaimo

This is an interesting one I wanna hear your thoughts on. The way I interpret this quote is that even when we can't change anything, we can still shift our perspective. Sometimes, that can make all the difference!

Lets work for 2026 being a year of healing and growth. What are your goals/projects/directions you're moving in?

Let's chat about it and how I can support you best!

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #mentalhealth #windingroadcounselling #therapist

This is an interesting one I wanna hear your thoughts on. The way I interpret this quote is that even when we can't change anything, we can still shift our perspective. Sometimes, that can make all the difference!

Lets work for 2026 being a year of healing and growth. What are your goals/projects/directions you're moving in?

Let's chat about it and how I can support you best!

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #mentalhealth #windingroadcounselling #therapist

We talk a lot about "getting over" grief when in reality it's often more about getting to know our grief, and in that journey it becomes part of us, and we incorporate the loss into our story and keep going. I've worked with grief in such a wide variety of ways over my twenty years in health care. I've seen people die on the streets, in ambulances, at home, and at hospital. I've seen how people grieve for those losses, and how they move through it. If we think of grief as any time when a piece of our story is lost, or when our identity shifts, grief is the process we go through on the journey to a new future. Take winter, we may grieve the loss of sunlight, the past as we get confronted with painful interactions with family over the holidays, or our own bodies as we see them shift with the seasons.

Are you experiencing anything like this right now? Let's talk about it.

#grief #mentalhealth #seasonaldepression #windingroadcounselling #counselling

We talk a lot about "getting over" grief when in reality it's often more about getting to know our grief, and in that journey it becomes part of us, and we incorporate the loss into our story and keep going. I've worked with grief in such a wide variety of ways over my twenty years in health care. I've seen people die on the streets, in ambulances, at home, and at hospital. I've seen how people grieve for those losses, and how they move through it. If we think of grief as any time when a piece of our story is lost, or when our identity shifts, grief is the process we go through on the journey to a new future. Take winter, we may grieve the loss of sunlight, the past as we get confronted with painful interactions with family over the holidays, or our own bodies as we see them shift with the seasons.

Are you experiencing anything like this right now? Let's talk about it.

#grief #mentalhealth #seasonaldepression #windingroadcounselling #counselling

Dr. Hunter 'Patch' Adams is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. I've ben privileged to go to several workshops he's hosted over the years and got to meet him and it's been insightful each time. On many occasions I've heard him say "maybe what we think of as mental illness is a healthy reaction to an unhealthy society?"
I see a lot of this. Clients aren't intrinsically unhappy, they just react to the world they're in.
This is where good therapy comes in. The search to fundamentally know ourselves is a good way to think of the therapy process.
Attached to this is learning, or forming a deeper understanding of what we want out of our experience in this life. Once we know, we can begin to act on this in a deeper way.
What comes up for you when you think of this?

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #nanaimo #mentalhealth #patchadams

Dr. Hunter 'Patch' Adams is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. I've ben privileged to go to several workshops he's hosted over the years and got to meet him and it's been insightful each time. On many occasions I've heard him say "maybe what we think of as mental illness is a healthy reaction to an unhealthy society?"
I see a lot of this. Clients aren't intrinsically unhappy, they just react to the world they're in.
This is where good therapy comes in. The search to fundamentally know ourselves is a good way to think of the therapy process.
Attached to this is learning, or forming a deeper understanding of what we want out of our experience in this life. Once we know, we can begin to act on this in a deeper way.
What comes up for you when you think of this?

#counselling #counsellorsofbc #nanaimo #mentalhealth #patchadams

I do a lot of work helping folks integrate their inner child and heal those early wounds. I think it's beautiful to see people trying their best in life. Even when bad stuff has happened in childhood it's so important to remember that you became the person you needed in that moment. Now, it's time to scoop up your child self and tell them "it's okay, I'm here now, and I'm going to keep us safe"

I believe in you. That's not a cliché, or therapist speech. I believe in you because I choose to believe in all of us. We're here together and together is how we are going to get through this.

💕

#counselling #mentalhealth #innerchildhealing❤️ #nanaimo

I do a lot of work helping folks integrate their inner child and heal those early wounds. I think it's beautiful to see people trying their best in life. Even when bad stuff has happened in childhood it's so important to remember that you became the person you needed in that moment. Now, it's time to scoop up your child self and tell them "it's okay, I'm here now, and I'm going to keep us safe"

I believe in you. That's not a cliché, or therapist speech. I believe in you because I choose to believe in all of us. We're here together and together is how we are going to get through this.

💕

#counselling #mentalhealth #innerchildhealing❤️ #nanaimo

I know first hand that the holidays, a time of year where we are supposed to be surrounded by joy and cheer, can feel cold, lonely, and filled with stress, rejection and trauma. I wish I had a better way to offer support other than to say I'm here, and it's free to have a 50 minute consult where we can breathe, share space and you can vent, coregulate, ask questions, or determine resources I can help you locate.

Wishing you all the best as we move through this season, and hope you find the light where you can.

#mentalhealth #counselling #therapy #counsellor #holidaystress

I know first hand that the holidays, a time of year where we are supposed to be surrounded by joy and cheer, can feel cold, lonely, and filled with stress, rejection and trauma. I wish I had a better way to offer support other than to say I'm here, and it's free to have a 50 minute consult where we can breathe, share space and you can vent, coregulate, ask questions, or determine resources I can help you locate.

Wishing you all the best as we move through this season, and hope you find the light where you can.

#mentalhealth #counselling #therapy #counsellor #holidaystress

Winter can be a rough time for many of us. In Canada, nearly a fifth of the population experiences some level of decrease in mental health throughout the winter that can lead to low energy, moodiness, anxiousness and irritability.

During colder seasons, it may seem tempting to want to just stay indoors, but according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, sunlight during the winter months is especially important.

Ok science alert. Stick with me though!
This is because sunlight plays a role in our brain’s ability to maintain normal levels of serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Sunlight is also a great way to get Vitamin D, but at this time of year in places like Canada, the sun's light hits us at the wrong angle and we get no vitamin D, which is why all dairy in Canada is fortified dith vitamin D. If you stay clear of dairy and other products with vitamin D added, it's probably a good idea to explore with your doctor, pharmacist or care provider to maybe include a vitamin D supplement.

What else can we do?
Exercise. I know that can be a problematic word for some of us, and I know exercise can be way less pleasant with the weather, but we need to remind ourselves to get our bodies moving regularly.

Sleep. We need to try and get good quality sleep as much as we can for what our body needs (this varries for all of us.)

Engage with your hobbies, interests and curiosities. If you're stuck inside with bad weather, nows the time to engage with hobbies or make new connections. If you have a pen or pencil and a piece of scrap paper you can take up drawing!
Make time for social connections. Invite others and accept invites when your battery allows. This is key because we don't want to push ourselves into a bad space. Find the balance for you between alone time and social time.

These are a few tips, and if you're interested, reach out and we can arrange a time to go into it in more detail.

#mentalhealth #nanaimo #counseling #seasonaldepression #winter

Winter can be a rough time for many of us. In Canada, nearly a fifth of the population experiences some level of decrease in mental health throughout the winter that can lead to low energy, moodiness, anxiousness and irritability.

During colder seasons, it may seem tempting to want to just stay indoors, but according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, sunlight during the winter months is especially important.

Ok science alert. Stick with me though!
This is because sunlight plays a role in our brain’s ability to maintain normal levels of serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Sunlight is also a great way to get Vitamin D, but at this time of year in places like Canada, the sun's light hits us at the wrong angle and we get no vitamin D, which is why all dairy in Canada is fortified dith vitamin D. If you stay clear of dairy and other products with vitamin D added, it's probably a good idea to explore with your doctor, pharmacist or care provider to maybe include a vitamin D supplement.

What else can we do?
Exercise. I know that can be a problematic word for some of us, and I know exercise can be way less pleasant with the weather, but we need to remind ourselves to get our bodies moving regularly.

Sleep. We need to try and get good quality sleep as much as we can for what our body needs (this varries for all of us.)

Engage with your hobbies, interests and curiosities. If you're stuck inside with bad weather, nows the time to engage with hobbies or make new connections. If you have a pen or pencil and a piece of scrap paper you can take up drawing!
Make time for social connections. Invite others and accept invites when your battery allows. This is key because we don't want to push ourselves into a bad space. Find the balance for you between alone time and social time.

These are a few tips, and if you're interested, reach out and we can arrange a time to go into it in more detail.

#mentalhealth #nanaimo #counseling #seasonaldepression #winter

Winter solstice is a very special time for me, living in Canada, in the Northwest. It is dark days and many of us struggle at this time of the year with the loss of light (hello 4pm sunset).

The winter solstic can be a great reminder that the dark has reached its deepest point and won't stay there. In counselling, this moment mirrors what so many people carry into the room: grief, exhaustion, uncertainty, and a deep rooted fear that the darkness might be endless.

Yet the winter solstice isn’t about sudden light or forced optimism; it’s about the shifing, the changing. Reflecting on our story, and our mental and emotional selves today can mean resting instead of fixing, witnessing instead of rushing, and trusting that change often begins invisibly.

If you find yourself living in a season of heaviness, let this be permission to go gently and remember that even now, the light is already on its way. Reach out to loved ones, friends, neighbours, or to counsellors if you need a little support in these dark times.

#counseling #windingroadcounselling #mentalhealth #wintersolstice #psychology

Winter solstice is a very special time for me, living in Canada, in the Northwest. It is dark days and many of us struggle at this time of the year with the loss of light (hello 4pm sunset).

The winter solstic can be a great reminder that the dark has reached its deepest point and won't stay there. In counselling, this moment mirrors what so many people carry into the room: grief, exhaustion, uncertainty, and a deep rooted fear that the darkness might be endless.

Yet the winter solstice isn’t about sudden light or forced optimism; it’s about the shifing, the changing. Reflecting on our story, and our mental and emotional selves today can mean resting instead of fixing, witnessing instead of rushing, and trusting that change often begins invisibly.

If you find yourself living in a season of heaviness, let this be permission to go gently and remember that even now, the light is already on its way. Reach out to loved ones, friends, neighbours, or to counsellors if you need a little support in these dark times.

#counseling #windingroadcounselling #mentalhealth #wintersolstice #psychology

We work so hard to banish negative thoughts. Pain and suffering suck, but sometimes, fighting it only makes it worst. As Jung said, what we resist, persists. I love how in ACT, Russ says that radical acceptance is about understanding that negative thoughts and feelings are valid and a normal part of being human. This isn't to say that these thoughts and emotions can't be overwhelming at times. It's how we learn to process them and let go of the power we feed them whether knowingly or unknowingly.

You're human. You're not broken. You're normal and you're valid.
💕
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth

We work so hard to banish negative thoughts. Pain and suffering suck, but sometimes, fighting it only makes it worst. As Jung said, what we resist, persists. I love how in ACT, Russ says that radical acceptance is about understanding that negative thoughts and feelings are valid and a normal part of being human. This isn't to say that these thoughts and emotions can't be overwhelming at times. It's how we learn to process them and let go of the power we feed them whether knowingly or unknowingly.

You're human. You're not broken. You're normal and you're valid.
💕
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth

Other than continuing my hobby of collecting letters on my name, this helps me be regulated to serve clients across Canada!

The Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation is a national certification that identifies qualified counsellors across all of Canada. CCCs are able to work with clients in any province or territory, particularly in those that do not have their own provincial regulatory body.
This includes BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
This will change as different areas regulate but it's still am exciting opportunity to help support clients across the country, especially in addition to my RCC and my Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Other than continuing my hobby of collecting letters on my name, this helps me be regulated to serve clients across Canada!

The Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation is a national certification that identifies qualified counsellors across all of Canada. CCCs are able to work with clients in any province or territory, particularly in those that do not have their own provincial regulatory body.
This includes BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
This will change as different areas regulate but it's still am exciting opportunity to help support clients across the country, especially in addition to my RCC and my Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Checking in!
I'm Qualia Reed, MACP, RCC, RP Qualifying. I've been a registered nurse for the last decade and now entering the world of therapy, though honestly I think nurses do a lot of counselling in their work. Likewise before nursing I was a paramedic with BC Ambulance (now called BCEHS). What does this mean?

I've spent most of my adult life caring for people as they went through some of the best and worst life could throw at them. I've been with people while they died, and been with others as they've been born. I've waded chin deep into the worst traumas I could imagine to help support others in those dark moments because it gives my life meaning to be of service to others.

All of that took its toll of course and I had to get help and design a pathway back to myself. This isn't to seek sympathy from you, more it's to explain that in learning to help myself I learned how to better help and support others. That's why I'm so passionate about supporting others in health care and in emergency response. It's why I care so much about helping teens and young people figure out their own path out of the darkness.

I don't do this because I think it's just a job. This is a culmination of my life work, and I do it because I really do believe in you, even if we've never met. This is what I've come to realize life is about for me. Supporting and connecting with fellow human beings who are trying their best in this existence we call life.

Qualia is a philosophical term that means the subjective uniqueness of a moment, so even if we're all here together, each of us still has our own unique experience of this moment. I want to honour and support you in your experiences.

Reach out if you'd like to connect, we can meet for 15 minutes or for 50, all free, and I'd love to hear from you and what you're looking for in this moment.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Checking in!
I'm Qualia Reed, MACP, RCC, RP Qualifying. I've been a registered nurse for the last decade and now entering the world of therapy, though honestly I think nurses do a lot of counselling in their work. Likewise before nursing I was a paramedic with BC Ambulance (now called BCEHS). What does this mean?

I've spent most of my adult life caring for people as they went through some of the best and worst life could throw at them. I've been with people while they died, and been with others as they've been born. I've waded chin deep into the worst traumas I could imagine to help support others in those dark moments because it gives my life meaning to be of service to others.

All of that took its toll of course and I had to get help and design a pathway back to myself. This isn't to seek sympathy from you, more it's to explain that in learning to help myself I learned how to better help and support others. That's why I'm so passionate about supporting others in health care and in emergency response. It's why I care so much about helping teens and young people figure out their own path out of the darkness.

I don't do this because I think it's just a job. This is a culmination of my life work, and I do it because I really do believe in you, even if we've never met. This is what I've come to realize life is about for me. Supporting and connecting with fellow human beings who are trying their best in this existence we call life.

Qualia is a philosophical term that means the subjective uniqueness of a moment, so even if we're all here together, each of us still has our own unique experience of this moment. I want to honour and support you in your experiences.

Reach out if you'd like to connect, we can meet for 15 minutes or for 50, all free, and I'd love to hear from you and what you're looking for in this moment.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Some people may think I'm naive, or too much of an optimist, but this is a hill I will defend. You deserve to be supported and along side that, you can support others as well. This is how we change the world. Humans supporting humans.

I live in Canada and right now, it's more hours of darkness than daylight. It rains almost continuously, and a lot of nature dies or goes to sleep for the winter. Depression rises, people get irritable and grumpy and violent.

Supporting each other doesn't have to be to the extent of becoming a health care worker, a smile to a stranger, a kind word, or a simple gesture of kindness can do wonders.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Some people may think I'm naive, or too much of an optimist, but this is a hill I will defend. You deserve to be supported and along side that, you can support others as well. This is how we change the world. Humans supporting humans.

I live in Canada and right now, it's more hours of darkness than daylight. It rains almost continuously, and a lot of nature dies or goes to sleep for the winter. Depression rises, people get irritable and grumpy and violent.

Supporting each other doesn't have to be to the extent of becoming a health care worker, a smile to a stranger, a kind word, or a simple gesture of kindness can do wonders.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Only a few more weeks till the shortest day of the year in Canada. That means we're almost halfway though the dark.

Holidays carry sparkle and serenity, but can also amplify strain, loneliness, and old hurts. When the world insists we should be glowing, it can feel disorienting to admit we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, depressed or anxious, especially around people who expect us to keep smiling.

If this season is stirring heaviness or overwhelm, there is space for you here. A free consultation offers a chance to speak openly, be listened to without judgement, and explore what support could look like in a way that honours your experience rather than glosses over it, all without financial commitment.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Only a few more weeks till the shortest day of the year in Canada. That means we're almost halfway though the dark.

Holidays carry sparkle and serenity, but can also amplify strain, loneliness, and old hurts. When the world insists we should be glowing, it can feel disorienting to admit we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, depressed or anxious, especially around people who expect us to keep smiling.

If this season is stirring heaviness or overwhelm, there is space for you here. A free consultation offers a chance to speak openly, be listened to without judgement, and explore what support could look like in a way that honours your experience rather than glosses over it, all without financial commitment.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Perfection isn't the goal. We all mess up. The key being willing to repair, work toward real change, and move forward.

You've got this. Keep going.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Perfection isn't the goal. We all mess up. The key being willing to repair, work toward real change, and move forward.

You've got this. Keep going.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

As my supervisor says, sometimes when the client responds with an "I don't know" it means the question is too big in that moment.
Let's pause, come together and break it down so it doesn't feel too big. Let's support you to find the voice, find the piece of you that feels small in the face of it all, and work together to move you forward along your path.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

As my supervisor says, sometimes when the client responds with an "I don't know" it means the question is too big in that moment.
Let's pause, come together and break it down so it doesn't feel too big. Let's support you to find the voice, find the piece of you that feels small in the face of it all, and work together to move you forward along your path.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Ok wait. Hear me out on this.

Think of life’s relationships like sharing a pizza. No matter how many times we've ordered a pizza with someone we still ask them what to they feel like getting today. It's curious and collaborative. No one sits down wanting exactly the same toppings every day, yet we keep pretending that's not the case sometimes.

We accept slices we don’t enjoy to keep the peace, or force our preferences as if that’s the only way to be fed.

A gentler approach is curiosity: what matters to me, what matters to you, and where can we meet in the middle so neither of us chokes down olives we secretly hate?

Asking “is this a pizza I want to be eating?” is an invitation to notice what nourishes you, and to negotiate shared meals instead of silently swallowing resentment.

Therapy can be the place where you learn to name your toppings, listen to others name theirs, and discover that collaboration tastes far better than martyrdom or control, even when the slices look imperfect.

Is this a pizza you want to be eating?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Ok wait. Hear me out on this.

Think of life’s relationships like sharing a pizza. No matter how many times we've ordered a pizza with someone we still ask them what to they feel like getting today. It's curious and collaborative. No one sits down wanting exactly the same toppings every day, yet we keep pretending that's not the case sometimes.

We accept slices we don’t enjoy to keep the peace, or force our preferences as if that’s the only way to be fed.

A gentler approach is curiosity: what matters to me, what matters to you, and where can we meet in the middle so neither of us chokes down olives we secretly hate?

Asking “is this a pizza I want to be eating?” is an invitation to notice what nourishes you, and to negotiate shared meals instead of silently swallowing resentment.

Therapy can be the place where you learn to name your toppings, listen to others name theirs, and discover that collaboration tastes far better than martyrdom or control, even when the slices look imperfect.

Is this a pizza you want to be eating?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

If what you're doing isn't causing you and the people in your life pain or concern, is it something you need to change?

What if we reorient to a question of "what is the life you want to be living? What is your story? Once you figure that out, daily decisions, choices, and actions become "does this action take me toward who I want to be in the world, or away from that?"

Let me know if this resonates for you or if you wanna explore more?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

If what you're doing isn't causing you and the people in your life pain or concern, is it something you need to change?

What if we reorient to a question of "what is the life you want to be living? What is your story? Once you figure that out, daily decisions, choices, and actions become "does this action take me toward who I want to be in the world, or away from that?"

Let me know if this resonates for you or if you wanna explore more?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Hi everyone, just wanted to reach out about an upcoming change to my rates. As I'm now an RCC, I will be increasing my rates to align with the standards of BCACC. This will mean my base rate will increase from 100$/50 minute session to 140$/50 minute session.
To help, everyone who signs up for counselling sessions with me before the rate increase which goes into effect January 1, 2026, will be able to lock in the lower rate for six months.

I also want to ensure finances do not become a barrier for counselling so I will continue to offer sliding scale whenever possible, with rates as low as 50$/50 minute session. I still have a few more slots for sliding scale available so if you are experiencing financial barriers, let's chat about how we can make counselling accessible for you!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Hi everyone, just wanted to reach out about an upcoming change to my rates. As I'm now an RCC, I will be increasing my rates to align with the standards of BCACC. This will mean my base rate will increase from 100$/50 minute session to 140$/50 minute session.
To help, everyone who signs up for counselling sessions with me before the rate increase which goes into effect January 1, 2026, will be able to lock in the lower rate for six months.

I also want to ensure finances do not become a barrier for counselling so I will continue to offer sliding scale whenever possible, with rates as low as 50$/50 minute session. I still have a few more slots for sliding scale available so if you are experiencing financial barriers, let's chat about how we can make counselling accessible for you!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

How does this land with you? I'm so curious how this quote would resonate for different people at different stages of their own journeys.

Pain is a natural part of life, even though it sucks, but it's still a part of life, which means, at least on some kind of existential level, that it's just as meaningful as any other moment of life.

Over my 20+ year healthcare career, I have sought to end or minimize as much pain and suffering as possible in the people I work with. That brings me meaning, but I also know that pain in my life has taught me a great deal about myself and what it means to be human or to be in my story. Not to say that every moment of anguish or suffering should be a lesson, that's why we can work to minimize it, or to do away with unnecessary suffering whenever possible.

What are your thoughts on your relationship with pain in your story?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

How does this land with you? I'm so curious how this quote would resonate for different people at different stages of their own journeys.

Pain is a natural part of life, even though it sucks, but it's still a part of life, which means, at least on some kind of existential level, that it's just as meaningful as any other moment of life.

Over my 20+ year healthcare career, I have sought to end or minimize as much pain and suffering as possible in the people I work with. That brings me meaning, but I also know that pain in my life has taught me a great deal about myself and what it means to be human or to be in my story. Not to say that every moment of anguish or suffering should be a lesson, that's why we can work to minimize it, or to do away with unnecessary suffering whenever possible.

What are your thoughts on your relationship with pain in your story?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

ACT is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and it's been something I've read a lot about lately. The more I read about it, the more I see how it fits into my existing toolkit of existentialistic, humanistic, Person-centred, and experiential modalities.

Basically, the aim of ACT is to maximize our human potential for a meaningful life while handling or managing the pain that comes up in life. It leans in on that sort of existential philosophy that many theologies touch on that there is just as much living to be found in a moment of pain as there is in a moment of joy.

It teaches and encourages us to act in life based on our values, on who we want to be in the world, rather than on our emotions or thoughts.

Let me know if you wanna chat about ACT, I'd love to chat with you about it!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

ACT is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and it's been something I've read a lot about lately. The more I read about it, the more I see how it fits into my existing toolkit of existentialistic, humanistic, Person-centred, and experiential modalities.

Basically, the aim of ACT is to maximize our human potential for a meaningful life while handling or managing the pain that comes up in life. It leans in on that sort of existential philosophy that many theologies touch on that there is just as much living to be found in a moment of pain as there is in a moment of joy.

It teaches and encourages us to act in life based on our values, on who we want to be in the world, rather than on our emotions or thoughts.

Let me know if you wanna chat about ACT, I'd love to chat with you about it!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

There's an interesting conversation around resistance and letting go. When jung said "What we resist persists” it feels likena blockage, or a wall between where we are and where we want to be.
When we let go of the thing we are holding onto, we move back into a flow state where change is more accessible. As Rogers states, when we let go of that, when we accept ourselves, we can change.

I truly believe we are all capable of change throughout our lives. In fact I cant stand the attitude that “people never really change.” Change can be hard, and often needs resources that people don’t have, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia#

There's an interesting conversation around resistance and letting go. When jung said "What we resist persists” it feels likena blockage, or a wall between where we are and where we want to be.
When we let go of the thing we are holding onto, we move back into a flow state where change is more accessible. As Rogers states, when we let go of that, when we accept ourselves, we can change.

I truly believe we are all capable of change throughout our lives. In fact I cant stand the attitude that “people never really change.” Change can be hard, and often needs resources that people don’t have, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia#

Hi! Here's a fun little bit about me! I'm off to the beach, what are you up to this weekend?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Hi! Here's a fun little bit about me! I'm off to the beach, what are you up to this weekend?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I think this one lands heavy for a lot of us. There are so many reasons in life, where we bury certain parts of us, denying that part a voice, whether it's from people pleasing, or outright lack of safety, and it can hide in the dark parts of us forever, like a frightened child.
How can we connect with that part of us, in safety, and openness to bring daylight to those places and give that part of ourselves a voice once more, or perhaps for the first time? This can be powerful work, but it can be so important as part of integration work and bring a deeper, whole self to the forefront.

Let's chat about how we can support you in this work?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I think this one lands heavy for a lot of us. There are so many reasons in life, where we bury certain parts of us, denying that part a voice, whether it's from people pleasing, or outright lack of safety, and it can hide in the dark parts of us forever, like a frightened child.
How can we connect with that part of us, in safety, and openness to bring daylight to those places and give that part of ourselves a voice once more, or perhaps for the first time? This can be powerful work, but it can be so important as part of integration work and bring a deeper, whole self to the forefront.

Let's chat about how we can support you in this work?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Part of being a Therapist is being an advocate for humanity. The humanity we all share. Trans people deserve to live, and be who they are. They deserve love, support, kindness and empathy just like everyone else.
Human rights is therapy.
Trans rights are human rights.
💕

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist

Part of being a Therapist is being an advocate for humanity. The humanity we all share. Trans people deserve to live, and be who they are. They deserve love, support, kindness and empathy just like everyone else.
Human rights is therapy.
Trans rights are human rights.
💕

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist

Working with young people is my honour. After almost a year in counselling, working with teens has been one of the highlights, and reminds me how much I liked working with this population as a paramedic and a nurse.

If you're a teen or a parent looking for a counsellor for your teen, reach out today and let's explore how I can support you best!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Working with young people is my honour. After almost a year in counselling, working with teens has been one of the highlights, and reminds me how much I liked working with this population as a paramedic and a nurse.

If you're a teen or a parent looking for a counsellor for your teen, reach out today and let's explore how I can support you best!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Big news! I'm now officially certified with BCACC as a Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC here in British Columbia! This means that bc clients can now submit receipts for reimbursement by BC insurance companies!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Big news! I'm now officially certified with BCACC as a Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC here in British Columbia! This means that bc clients can now submit receipts for reimbursement by BC insurance companies!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I often remark to clients that therapy is like learning a new dance. At first, we learn this dance together, and then in time, you dance off on your own. Therapy is a verb. We practice it together until you feel good to practice it on your own, and then it becomes your practice for the rest of your life.

If you take nothing else away from my posts take this. you've got this. I believe in you!
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I often remark to clients that therapy is like learning a new dance. At first, we learn this dance together, and then in time, you dance off on your own. Therapy is a verb. We practice it together until you feel good to practice it on your own, and then it becomes your practice for the rest of your life.

If you take nothing else away from my posts take this. you've got this. I believe in you!
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I thought this was prescient to read this as we are now in the ten darkest weeks of the year here in the north of the world. What does this mean for you? How does it land?

To me, this line carries a poetic defiance and as a therapist I love helping and being present when this shows up in the therapy room when someone realises their resilience isn’t something they have to earn but something they already have within them.

Winter, in this context isn’t simply a season (though sometimes winter as a season plays a big role) it’s the stretches of life where grief, fatigue, or fear harden the ground under your feet and make every step feel like a negotiation.

How can we incorporate this into therapy work? Counselling doesn’t melt that winter on command, but it helps you notice the small pulses of warmth, the human, unending capacity to hope, to feel, to reach, to choose.

In practice, therapy becomes a slow excavation of that “invincible summer.” Not a forced positivity, not a call to pretend the cold doesn’t bite, (which I detest about a lot of pop psychology and toxic positivity influences online) but more of a process of uncovering the parts of you that refuse to disappear even when life is at its bleakest.

In therapy, we learn to trust that our inner seasons shift, and that our pain doesn’t define our whole landscape. It helps us recognize that somewhere beneath the frost is a vitality waiting for air and light.

Thoughts?

looking for.
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I thought this was prescient to read this as we are now in the ten darkest weeks of the year here in the north of the world. What does this mean for you? How does it land?

To me, this line carries a poetic defiance and as a therapist I love helping and being present when this shows up in the therapy room when someone realises their resilience isn’t something they have to earn but something they already have within them.

Winter, in this context isn’t simply a season (though sometimes winter as a season plays a big role) it’s the stretches of life where grief, fatigue, or fear harden the ground under your feet and make every step feel like a negotiation.

How can we incorporate this into therapy work? Counselling doesn’t melt that winter on command, but it helps you notice the small pulses of warmth, the human, unending capacity to hope, to feel, to reach, to choose.

In practice, therapy becomes a slow excavation of that “invincible summer.” Not a forced positivity, not a call to pretend the cold doesn’t bite, (which I detest about a lot of pop psychology and toxic positivity influences online) but more of a process of uncovering the parts of you that refuse to disappear even when life is at its bleakest.

In therapy, we learn to trust that our inner seasons shift, and that our pain doesn’t define our whole landscape. It helps us recognize that somewhere beneath the frost is a vitality waiting for air and light.

Thoughts?

looking for.
#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

How can we be together as humans? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Now.. Disclaimer that I'm most drawn to existential, humanistic and person centred approaches, but rigid hierarchy and orthodoxy has never sat well with me.

I want to find clients that also want to turn away from "this is how we do this" mentality, and inst, create partnership that enables healing and growth.

What do you want out of a therapist? What does support look like for you in your life?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

How can we be together as humans? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Now.. Disclaimer that I'm most drawn to existential, humanistic and person centred approaches, but rigid hierarchy and orthodoxy has never sat well with me.

I want to find clients that also want to turn away from "this is how we do this" mentality, and inst, create partnership that enables healing and growth.

What do you want out of a therapist? What does support look like for you in your life?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Here we go folks! The ten darkest weeks approach. If you're in the north of the world like me, you know it can be ROUGH.

Time to dig in, get cozy, get rest, and get through the dark times as best we can. To help, I've made this helpful little list of ten useful tips to remember for this time of year! These are pretty concise as it's a social media post, but research any of this in greater detail or ask me if you're curious about any of it! We're all in this together! Find the strategies that work for you, and reach out for support from others when you need it.
💕

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Here we go folks! The ten darkest weeks approach. If you're in the north of the world like me, you know it can be ROUGH.

Time to dig in, get cozy, get rest, and get through the dark times as best we can. To help, I've made this helpful little list of ten useful tips to remember for this time of year! These are pretty concise as it's a social media post, but research any of this in greater detail or ask me if you're curious about any of it! We're all in this together! Find the strategies that work for you, and reach out for support from others when you need it.
💕

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Pain sucks. It's am awful experience. That's why we almost instinctively shy away from it, often turning towards pleasure instead. But... The pain we feel is also part of the humanity of experience. If we deny it, we're denying a part of our story, of the human story.

I think often when we feel "I can't handle this pain" it's often a realization of a lack of support from the trusted, close people in our lives.

What if we connect more, find new ways to talk about the painful bits of life, and build a deeper connection to ourselves and those around us in the process?

Thoughts?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Pain sucks. It's am awful experience. That's why we almost instinctively shy away from it, often turning towards pleasure instead. But... The pain we feel is also part of the humanity of experience. If we deny it, we're denying a part of our story, of the human story.

I think often when we feel "I can't handle this pain" it's often a realization of a lack of support from the trusted, close people in our lives.

What if we connect more, find new ways to talk about the painful bits of life, and build a deeper connection to ourselves and those around us in the process?

Thoughts?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I'm currently reading Grieving Mindfully, by Sameet Kumar as this long weekend has a lot of moments that may touch on grief such as remembrance day and indigenous veterans day.

Grief, or that dichotomy of grief where we feel so alone and isolated by it, when it's actually a reminder that we are pack animals. The human story is one of connection, of family, of community, and belonging.

When we grieve, it's this visceral reminder that a piece of our story is gone, whether it's a job, a relationship or a life. We're changed by it and there is no going back. That can be terrifying but change is a part of life and so is loss. The transformation of our lives that is brought on by loss can be profound and can have reverberations throughout our lives and the lives of those close to us.

Thoughts on grief? Let's chat about it.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

I'm currently reading Grieving Mindfully, by Sameet Kumar as this long weekend has a lot of moments that may touch on grief such as remembrance day and indigenous veterans day.

Grief, or that dichotomy of grief where we feel so alone and isolated by it, when it's actually a reminder that we are pack animals. The human story is one of connection, of family, of community, and belonging.

When we grieve, it's this visceral reminder that a piece of our story is gone, whether it's a job, a relationship or a life. We're changed by it and there is no going back. That can be terrifying but change is a part of life and so is loss. The transformation of our lives that is brought on by loss can be profound and can have reverberations throughout our lives and the lives of those close to us.

Thoughts on grief? Let's chat about it.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

What does grief look like for you? What comes up when you see this post and see these words?

Grief is when our story changes and we have to adapt to a piece of it being gone. It can be a job loss, relationship ending, death of someone, or anything that creates change in our story.

Thoughts?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

What does grief look like for you? What comes up when you see this post and see these words?

Grief is when our story changes and we have to adapt to a piece of it being gone. It can be a job loss, relationship ending, death of someone, or anything that creates change in our story.

Thoughts?

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Great quote from @therapyjeff

Growth doesn’t happen in comfort most of the time. We strive toward something as Frankl would say.

Therapy, healing, change becomes elusive when we stay in what feels easy or familiar. Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong; it’s often proof you’re right where you need to be.

I know this can feel uncomfortable to sit with. The work of becoming more grounded, open, or self-assured asks that you stay in the tension long enough to learn what it’s trying to show you. This isn't to say being overwhelmed constantly is the goal either. It's supposed to be hard work, and a challenge, not a torture or an impossible hill to climb.

Keep going. Push through to the other side!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Great quote from @therapyjeff

Growth doesn’t happen in comfort most of the time. We strive toward something as Frankl would say.

Therapy, healing, change becomes elusive when we stay in what feels easy or familiar. Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong; it’s often proof you’re right where you need to be.

I know this can feel uncomfortable to sit with. The work of becoming more grounded, open, or self-assured asks that you stay in the tension long enough to learn what it’s trying to show you. This isn't to say being overwhelmed constantly is the goal either. It's supposed to be hard work, and a challenge, not a torture or an impossible hill to climb.

Keep going. Push through to the other side!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Hi folks! I'm now offering evenings and weekends for counselling sessions. Weekend availability is limited so has to be booked through me but evenings can now be booked on my booking site!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Hi folks! I'm now offering evenings and weekends for counselling sessions. Weekend availability is limited so has to be booked through me but evenings can now be booked on my booking site!

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Do you ever feel like you’re in the wrong room in life?

Lets take a second to explore that.

We’re told to “find our people,” as if belonging is somewhere out there waiting for us. It's just one more course, city, or community away. But it can become a destination over the next horizon that we may never feel we reach.

It can quietly teach the nervous system that safety, connection, and acceptance only exist in the future, never in the present moment. People become place holders, our life becomes a practice run or a burden we shoulder until reaching some fantasized promised land.

But, as the Tragically Hip once sang, there's no dress rehearsals, this is our life.

In therapy, we often explore how belonging is a feeling and not a destination. It begins with letting yourself take up space exactly where you are, even when the room doesn’t seem to fit. The work isn’t always about finding the right tribe; sometimes it’s about learning that you’re already enough to belong anywhere.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

Do you ever feel like you’re in the wrong room in life?

Lets take a second to explore that.

We’re told to “find our people,” as if belonging is somewhere out there waiting for us. It's just one more course, city, or community away. But it can become a destination over the next horizon that we may never feel we reach.

It can quietly teach the nervous system that safety, connection, and acceptance only exist in the future, never in the present moment. People become place holders, our life becomes a practice run or a burden we shoulder until reaching some fantasized promised land.

But, as the Tragically Hip once sang, there's no dress rehearsals, this is our life.

In therapy, we often explore how belonging is a feeling and not a destination. It begins with letting yourself take up space exactly where you are, even when the room doesn’t seem to fit. The work isn’t always about finding the right tribe; sometimes it’s about learning that you’re already enough to belong anywhere.

#therapy #counsellors #counselling #counsellorsofBC #mentalhealth #canada #nanaimo #vancouverisland #psychology #therapistsofinstagram #therapist #windingroadcounselling #qualia

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@winding.road.counselling

bottom of page