My Self-Location

I am a Canadian settler of mixed European descent, living with humility and gratitude on the unceded and ancestral lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, in what is now known as Victoria, BC. The lens through which I view human health and potential are informed by the many intersecting facets of my life experience, my education and my many teachers. I was raised in a family that relied on government services, navigated the complexities of addiction, and leaned into the strength of community support. These early experiences instilled in me an awareness of systemic challenges and the importance of care that is compassionate, accessible, and grounded in dignity. My educational background is an enmeshment of western academics and alternative health modalities. I am centered in an intersectional, non-pathologizing, and socially just framework, where clients are the experts of their lives and those expertises and welcomed and valued in our work together.

My Philosophy

As a counsellor, I aim to start from a place of humility and center you as the expert and as being capable of whatever transformation you seek. I believe that my role as a counsellor is to offer a non-judgemental space that offers empathy, respect and dignity, in which I act as your co-conspirator who comes alongside you in whatever journey you are on. With unconditional positive regard, my goal as a counsellor is to support and resource you with what you feel you need. The result is an integrative and client tailored approach that pulls from multiple theories and modalities to create a process that’s as unique as you. Counselling is a journey taken and created together, not a one-size fits all destination. With this, I hope that my clients feel heard, centered and cared for in a way that encourages them to do the work and take the action that helps them achieve their personal counselling and health goals.

My Education + Training

My career began as a teacher, passionate about taking a holistic and whole student approach to education. Having always been centered in health and wellbeing, during my teaching career, I continued to educate myself and bring my learnings into my school community. It was while I worked as a teacher that I pursued my Holistic Nutritionist Certification (CHN) from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, as well as my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training (200hrYTT Yoga Alliance).

In addition to supporting youth, I have spent a decade working as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with adult clients navigating the complexities and intersections of hormonal and mental health. Through nutrition and lifestyle support, I helped many clients overcome infertility and other hormonal health concerns like Endometriosis, PCOS, PMS and peri/menopause.

Eventually, in both my teaching and nutrition coaching practice, a pattern emerged that I could not ignore, and that was the ways in which unacknowledged mental health concerns created barriers to my clients’ and students’ success and wellbeing. So I was called to deepen my learning again and completed my M.Ed in Counselling to help bridge this gap. Now as a CHN and RCC, I aim to support my clients holistically on their quest for healing, looking at the many pillars that make up our overall wellbeing.

Outside the Therapy Room

Outside the therapy room I am an extroverted introvert who loves being outside, spending time with her dog and partner, and celebrating life with close friends and family. I love to cook, read, hike, surf and camp and am generally always game to try any new activity at least once (except maybe skydiving?). Movement, mindfulness and the ocean are my go-to medicines of choice and I am a big fan of brunch, coffee walks and sunsets.

I feel so grateful to be able to do the work I do everyday. It is an honour to come alongside you on your journey and I do not take this privileged position lightly.

I look forward to holding space with you.

Yours in Healing,

Annice