Counselling

acarruthers.com

I moved to the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people in 2013 and I’m originally from the land of the Haudenosaunee, Lenape, and Anishnaabe people in what is now known as London, Ontario. I am an intentional solo parent, and gave birth in 2019, months before the pandemic.

I have been a registered midwife since 2013, and I am also a registered social worker. After completing an MSW in 2023 I merged my two vocational worlds into a counselling practice that supports folks in making sense of their reproductive health journeys. I bring my clinical experience into therapy sessions, which I believe helps in clients knowing that I see what they’re going through. I am particularly adept at supporting folks through traumatic events through the lens of somatic attachment psychodynamic therapy, as well as adapting CBT/DBT skills into our shared therapy space. I write a lot more about my background, style, and process here.

Location

1641 Hillside Ave, Unit 330 (across from Hillside Mall), Victoria

Available for virtual or phone sessions as well

Hours

Tuesday 10-6 / Wednesday 10-5 / Thursday 10-5 / Friday 10-2

Rates

$165/hr

I am registered with FNHA to cover the costs of counselling if you are status Indigenous.

I am registered with Medavie Blue Cross to cover the costs of counselling if you are a veteran or a recent immigrant or refugee in Canada.

I am a registered midwife, so if you are currently pregnant or within 6 weeks postpartum I can bill MSP for a few hours of counselling, with a referral from your primary care provider.

mamatotocounselling.ca

Amy Kelly is a former midwife of 10 years and current registered clinical counsellor. She is humbled by the opportunity to support women and their families throughout the many transitions of life.

Her approach  is inspired by her two year certificate in somatic-attachment psychotherapy with Lisa Mortimore, the workshops she has attended with Postpartum Support International, and Canadian Perinatal Mental Health trainings and most recently completing the Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship at UC Davis. Here she was instructed by such luminaries as Bruce Perry, Stephen Hinshaw, Kristi Brandt and Cheryl Tatano Beck. When not in session she lives on a farm with her family, and loves writing and the outdoors.

Location

576 England Ave, Courtenay BC

Hours

Wednesday 10:30-4:30 / Thursday 9:30-4:30 / Friday 10:30-5:30

Delivery

in person, or remotely via zoom or telephone

Rates

$150 in person
$145 remotely

https://www.fairfieldpsychology.com/amy

Amy O’Dea is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) and over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families through times of change, challenge, and growth within community non-profit settings. In recent years, her practice has become deeply rooted in supporting parents and families during the perinatal period, with a particular focus on perinatal loss and pregnancy termination.

To support this work, Amy has completed specialized training in perinatal mental health and grief and loss through Perinatal Support International, UBC Professional Development and through clinical supervision with a specialized perinatal counselling program. Her clinical work is grounded in the understanding that grief following perinatal loss or the decision to end a pregnancy is often deeply personal, layered, and complex. Amy offers therapeutic support that honours the full complexity of these experiences, creating gentle, compassionate spaces where clients can feel seen, heard, and validated in their grief — in whatever form it takes.

Her approach is rooted in relational care and shaped by a deep respect for each person’s lived experience, cultural context, and inner wisdom. She practices within a commitment to understanding how identity, systemic forces, and community shape our experiences, particularly through loss. Amy draws from therapeutic modalities including narrative therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and attachment-based approaches, always tailoring support to meet each client’s unique needs, values, and strengths.

Location

2186 Oak Bay Ave, #202, Victoria, BC

Hours

Wednesday 2:00-8:15 PM, Thursdays 9:30-3:00 PM

Sessions

Session available in person and online.

Rate

$170 individuals or couples

bridshine.com

In my earlier years I worked as a midwife in Dublin, Ireland. Later in life I took on a role as Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement and Loss for over 10 years. In 2020 I came to live in Canada and currently work part time at Victoria Hospice supporting individuals and their families at the end of life.

The loss of a much wanted pregnancy at any gestation is devastating, and there are simply no words for the profound and unique type of grief associated with the death of a baby. This area of care is very close to my heart.

I have come to understand the ongoing bond parents have with their deceased baby and how the memory of this child remains etched forever in the psyche and heart of those who brought the baby into being. It takes time to grow around the loss, with its grief ebbing and flowing throughout a lifetime. I have worked with many families over the years and have come to see how poignant certain dates become in relation to the lost hopes and dreams. I have also seen how each small baby that comes to be, leaves some small legacy in this world that parents often discover decades later as they heal from the woundedness.

I am based in Cowichan Bay for in person sessions, and online via zoom platform.

I am also available for home visits and/or maternity hospital visits, with consideration of mileage.

Hours

Fridays

Rates

$140 for first intake appointment.

$120 for subsequent individual visits.

$140 for couples sessions.

Jenna (she/her) brings a deeply personal connection to the field of perinatal mental health, shaped by her own journey. Within her neurodiverse family, she and her partner, Matthew, nurture their three wild boys.

Believing in the innate drive towards healing, Jenna likens it to a river that naturally finds its path. Yet, in challenging environments or when obstacles arise, additional resources and tools are essential to restore its flow.

As a supportive companion and witness, Jenna guides her clients through the complex phases of fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy/infant loss, and the postpartum period. Her passion lies in helping individuals navigate grief and loss, manage anxiety and perfectionism, and plan for the postpartum experience.

Jenna holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a registered social worker (RSW). She specializes in perinatal mental health and grief and loss, integrating attachment theory, parts work, and mindfulness into her practice. Currently pursuing EMDR training, Jenna anticipates completion by September 2024.

Location

Jenna offers virtual sessions to clients in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Hours

Monday-Thursday 10-3

Sessions

Each session lasts 50 minutes.

Rate

$165.00 per hour.

A limited number of sliding scale spots are available.

jenvining.ca

Jen has deep roots in Victoria, B.C. She was born in Victoria, leaving for four years to complete an undergraduate degree in Winnipeg, MB. Jen and her husband Paul have been together since 1998. They have a son Andrew who is currently attending university.

Jen’s interest in counselling began early in her life. She was exposed to psychology as a young child through her father, Dennis Payne (psychologist – deceased). It was during her high school years that she first became aware that people felt comfortable and safe sharing their concerns and problems with her. She has always been interested in people’s stories and enjoys supporting them as they worked through their feelings and decisions. Jen attained a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology in 2007. After completing her master’s program, Jen worked at a counselling clinic for an additional 14 months before beginning her private practice.

Jen has a special interest in working with people with issues related to infertility and reproductive health and loss. She completed a year long post graduate program in Infertility Counselling.

Jennifer is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).

Location

Jen’s home office is in the Mt. Tolmie area near St. Michael’s University School.

Hours

Monday-Friday 9-3

Sessions

Sessions are 50 minutes long.

She provides sessions both in person and online.

Rate

$157.50 (including GST)

ravensongcounselling.com

I have lived in Victoria all of my life and have grown children (ages 26 and 28 currently). I obtained a Master of Counselling degree later in my working life (age 43).

Before beginning work as a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I was employed in an administrative capacity at a local fertility clinic. Patients would often speak with me about their concerns and challenges. I was aware that the issues and concerns were complex and deserved a skilled ear, so I decided to change course and returned to school to obtain my certification in counselling practice.

One of my internship placements during my Master of Counselling program was at Victoria Hospice. I feel very privileged to continue my work there as a Bereavement Counsellor. I’ve been working at Victoria Hospice since 2015.

And so, in my counselling practice both worlds (infertility/fertility … and bereavement) collide and come together in magical way. My hope is that this is reflected in my work and ultimately benefits clients.

Location

My office is in the Mt. Tolmie area of Victoria, BC (near both the University of Victoria and the Royal Jubilee Hospital).

Hours

Monday-Thursday 9-3

Sessions

I offer: in-person, online and telephone sessions.

Rate

Currently $150 for individuals, $160 for couples

ritagirn.com

The first thing you should know about me is that I lead with my heart. I acknowledge the privilege of this work and the courage required to engage in therapy. I truly believe we are all looking for connection, belonging, and compassion, whether that is from the outside world or from within. I am honoured to walk alongside you and hold space for your most vulnerable and true self. I provide counselling in both English and Punjabi.

Areas of Specialization:

• Trauma
• Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenting
• Reproductive Health, Infertility and Third Party Reproduction
• Grief and Loss (including tragic loss)
• Life Transitions

Location

I work virtually throughout BC and several other provinces.

Hours

Tuesday 9-2 / Thursday 10-2 and 6-8pm

Rate

Individual Session: $160

RSW, MSW, MA, BSW

www.glaciercounselling.com

Tasha is a Registered Social Worker with many years experience supporting vulnerable populations. Tasha’s passion for perinatal mental health is deeply personal. Her own journey with infertility, pregnancy loss, and high-risk pregnancy gave her a deep empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by folks in the perinatal period. This experience allowed her to see the need for more support for folks in this vulnerable time and led her to take advanced training in perinatal health and specialize in working with this population.

Tasha was born and raised in Victoria but moved to the Comox Valley over a decade ago where she enjoys getting outside to ski, bike, run, and spend time on the beach.

Location

She sees clients in person in the Comox Valley and virtually across BC.

Hours

Monday-Friday 9-2

Sessions

Tasha sees both individuals and couples.
Sessions are generally 50 mins long

Rate

$150