Psychotherapy...Sequoia Strong
OUR THERAPISTS
COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL, CONSULTING AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
BRITTA REGAN WEST MA, RCC-ACS, TITC-CT/CFST Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Traumatologist/Compassion Fatigue Specialist
Clinical Supervision | Supervision of Supervision | Consulting | Public Speaking
Clinical Director
Britta is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC (British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors) and a Clinical Traumatologist and Compassion Fatigue Specialist with designation from the Traumatology Institute of Toronto. Britta is a strong presence in the therapeutic and consulting community appearing on Theravive, Psychology Today and Counselling BC. She specializes in public speaking, training and clinical supervision and consultation in acute behavioural and mental health.
Qualifications:
Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Clinical Traumatologist/Compassion Fatigue Specialist, Traumatology Institute
Bios:
Theravive | Psychology Today | Counselling BC
Articles, Interviews and Trainings:
"Trauma and Adoption", BC Adoptive Families Association
6th International Conference on FASD Presenter
Ethics in Counselling Interview, Insights Magazine
"Navigating Trauma and FASD: Ethics, Practice and Perspective"
Having provided over fifty distinct trainings and workshops in mental and behavioural health across the lower mainland in clinical settings.
STEPHANIE PRICE EVANS MSc, RCC
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Transference-Focussed | Child and Youth | Family Systems
ASSOCIATE
Stephanie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC (British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors) and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with the BACB, (Behavior Analyst Certification Board ). She has a rich background in family systems and child and youth therapy. Her work includes support for families and individuals who have experienced life altering illness, stress, anxiety and depression. Stephanie also has extensive experience with ADHD, ASD and ODD. She has over 20 years of experience in behavioural health and has worked within a wide range of settings including non-profit, public and private. Stephanie understands the many facets of working with other professionals and is well-versed in working with a therapeutic team when supporting families, children and youth.
Stephanie works closely with parents and children to find a therapeutic approach that fits each individual’s or family’s own unique circumstances and enjoys working to support the family system while enhancing the lived experience of each individual within the family. Stephanie is passionate about using the therapeutic relationship to help families and individuals live their lives with joy and emotional security. Stephanie has extensive experience working with children with various levels of communicative skills – and has expertise in meeting each child where they are in a manner that fits their communication style and comfort level. She views caregivers as integral in the therapeutic process and strives to enhance the well-being of parents and caregivers by exploring attachment as well as assessing practical strategies and parenting skills.
ARTURO BALLESTEROS MA, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Stress | Relationships | Mental Health
ASSOCIATE
Arturo Ballesteros (he/him/his/él) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor living on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish People. He has worked as a counsellor for more than five years in non-profit, independent, community based organizations in Vancouver and White Rock, BC.
Arturo supports and assists a variety of individuals and their loved ones, based on the premise that positive change happens once we begin understanding how we operate. Arturo’s values and ideas guiding his work are also rooted in his experience as an immigrant. He believes that everyone is different and has different needs and that a “one-size-fits-all” model does not serve people’s best interest and does not enhance the human experience.
Arturo believes in everyone's power to create change in their lives. As a counsellor, he helps his clients to explore the topics brought to - and that emerge in - the counselling room using tools from different approaches. This tailors the counselling experience to the clients’ needs and nature of their problems. In this process, he hopes for clients to consolidate their understanding of the connection between what they see, what they want and who they are to allow them to make wise and transformative decisions in their lives.
For Arturo, the therapeutic connection between client and therapist is very important. He stays away from judgements and works in the client's best interest. His objective is to give the client a counselling experience in which their knowledge and value as a human being is honoured.
Qualifications:
Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology
Registered Clinical Counsellor, BCACC
BARI EMAM MA, MC, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
PTSD | Nervous System Regulation | Family Systems
ASSOCIATE
Bari is a Registered Clinical Counselor with the BCACC specializing in post traumatic growth, family systems, couples and individuals. Bari uses the principles of existential psychology, attachment, polyvagal theory, and somatic experiencing as well as other therapeutic modalities which best serves the needs of the client.
Bari works with youth, adults, families, and couples. Bari believes that we all have the potential to experience a joyful and prosperous existence no matter what life throws at us. One of Bari’s passions is to work with individual men and women who have been forced to oppress their true self and inner goodness because of familial, cultural, societal, and gender roles which can often cause disharmony in a person’s life. Bari also works with high conflict couples, especially those who feel stuck and are looking to restore a sense of peace and harmony in their relationships and family. Bari and his spouse of 20 years are parents to three children. This allows him to integrate his lived experiences into his work with couples and families.
Bari helps clients identify the root causes of their struggles, detach from limiting beliefs, and unhelpful identities. Bari uses the power of positive psychology and matches it to the realities of life by encouraging clients to focus, set realistic and achievable goals, followed by a sustained effort in order to see results. Bari uses a trauma informed & strength-based approach to assist clients with finding emotional safety in the world, rise above life’s existential challenges, and live their best lives.
As a professional, Bari has worked in the field of human emotions for over 25 years. His professional interactions with thousands of individuals who faced some of the most difficult circumstances in life in addition to his personal lived experiences of struggle and perseverance enables him to connect with clients at a human level. Bari sees the challenges of his clients much like his own, creates a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment, and works from a compassionate and non oppressive base where the ultimate power is put in the hands of clients.
Bari is a published author, his book Uprooted and Thriving tells his life story. Bari is also an active volunteer in his community and believes that if each individual attends to their mental and physical wellness, we can thrive as individuals, couples, families, communities and a society. If you are ready to begin your healing journey and take charge of your mental and emotional well being by working with a no nonsense and passionate therapist as your guide, then Bari is the right therapist for you.
Qualifications:
Master of Arts
Master of Counselling
Registered Clinical Counsellor, BCACC
Professional Affiliations:
BCACC
ANDREA COLLIAR, MEd, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Anxiety | Depression | Trauma
ASSOCIATE
Andrea is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) who completed her Master's of Education in Counselling Psychology at Simon Fraser University. Andrea has worked in the mental health field for 10 years in non-profit community settings. In that time, she supported many individuals, parents, caregivers, children, and youth, through overwhelming family-related issues and mental health difficulties.
Andrea integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy, mindfulness and attachment-based science in her approach. This assists clients in connecting with themselves and others in a way that has positive affects on their functioning in a neurophysiological way. Andrea’s therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally respectful and person and family centered. She strives to work collaboratively with individuals and families in a non-judgmental and empathetic way. Relational safety and a therapeutic relationship built on trust are integral components to supporting people in creating the changes they would like to see in their lives. Non-judgement, empathy, safety and trust will look and feel differently for each client. This individualized and tailored approach is responsive to the client's unique needs and circumstances.
Andrea supports clients in knowing that they can navigate challenging circumstances and experiences in a way that helps them feel supported, connected and understood. Andrea believes that empathy and validation are the cornerstone of productive therapy and she ensures clients feel this in their experience with her. With that validation and understanding, Andrea helps client to develop clarity and insight. Starting on this explorative path takes a lot of courage and she believes that clients are open-minded, brave people for seeking out support.