Meet Dana
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Welcome! My name is Dana (she/her) and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Vancouver, BC, living and working on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples - the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) Nations. I hold a Masters of Counselling (MCP) from Adler University.
Although I was born in Canada, I was raised in Scotland, Norway and Indonesia and grew up as a third-culture kid. My diverse experiences and interactions as a youth were coupled with a lot of movement across various schools, communities, and cultures. Experiencing such change in locations, relationships, and in myself over the years has led me to a place of appreciation of the many parts of myself. Now, my hope is to support others to feel connected to their many diverse experiences.
As a counsellor, the most rewarding part of my work is the relationship and connection that can be made between counsellor and client, as I believe that counselling is a collaborative process. I work with both youth and adult clients, where I make it my goal to create a safe environment for you to voice your struggles and emotional pain at your own pace as we build trust in our relationship and work towards healing.
I believe that looking at a person holistically is the best way to learn about someone. This includes learning about childhood, relationships, family, culture, and past experiences to understand how it influences your current issues. It’s for this reason that you can expect me to show up authentically in the counselling room - curious, open and intentional. You can also expect to be met non-judgementally, with a warm and gentle energy.
Education & Training
I hold a Masters of Counselling Psychology (MCP) from Adler University. I am registered in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
Therapeutic Trainings
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I have a Masters of Counselling Psychology (MCP) from Adler University. RCC #20094
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Russ Harris Psycwire ACT for Adolescents & Russ Harris Psycwire ACT for ADHD
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Gottman Couples Counselling Level 1, The Gottman Institute
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Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) UC Davis Certificate
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Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy by Lisa Dion
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Centre for Expressive Therapy with Marie José Dhaese
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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training by NEED2 Suicide Prevention Education & Support
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Indigenous Canada Course by University of Alberta
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Cracking the Code: Understanding Different Motives of Those Who Perpetrate Domestic & Family Violence and the Connection to Risk & Lethality
Family Peace Initiative by Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, and Steve Halley, LSCSW
Additional Training
Outside of the counselling room…
You can find me spending time with family, friends or getting outdoors. Being active is a big part of my life, where in the spring and summers you can find me training for triathlons or backpacking on Vancouver Island. In the winters, I’m most likely surfing or staying warm inside painting or reading!
Work-life balance is an important value of mine, and have learned how restoring it can be. Because of this, I strive to incorporate work around self-care and self-compassion into my sessions with clients.
