Restoration Counselling Services

Dr. Sam helps people restore a sense of wholeness and health so they can enjoy their lives more.

Sam grew up in Kelowna BC Canada and received his education in BC, Europe, and the USA where he earned his doctorate in Christian Counselling. Happily married for 30 years, Sam is a lover of life and enjoys helping others experience more peace and happiness.

He was a prison chaplain, and a teacher in Belgium for 11 years. In BC, he has taught at the college level; he has co-produced 18 TV programs: 9 on Boundaries and 9 on Depression, and has been an instructor of counselling training and a supervisor for M.A. in Counselling students. He currently volunteers as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee and the BCACC Registration Committee.

Sam has been a contracted clinical supervisor for counsellors working within an agency or as part of their M.A. requirements, and has worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups in various settings, as a student and as a professional, for over 25 years.

He is trained and experienced in the use of over seventy therapies including TIR/LSR, EMDR, TAT, EFT, Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT), Guided Imagery, and Pastoral. Sam also has a certificate in Trauma Counselling from the BC Justice Institute, as well as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing training and extensive experience.

Sam counsels people in a wholistic, eclectic, pragmatic manner using spiritual principles (when requested) with a variety of issues including abuse, addictions, anger and stress, depression and grief, relationships, and trauma, including PTSD and CPTSD.

He is also a trained and experienced Communication Specialist and member of the Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group.

Sam founded and developed Restoration Counselling Services while employed by the Kelowna Salvation Army in 1993. Since 1995, he has directed his own private practice, offering flexible venues and accessible services. He co-facilitated Parenting After Separation sessions for 4½ years and has co-facilitated the Relationship Violence Treatment Program in the Okanagan. He contracts with a number of EFAP (Employee & Family Assistance Program) providers as well as with FNHA (First Nations Health Authority). For seven years, Sam contributed regular articles (under the banner of “Rhyme & Reason with Dr. Sam”) for Castanet.net on various aspects of counselling, including mental health, healthy relationships, addictions, stress, life situations, etc.; in these articles he frequently reviewed and/or referred his readers to helpful books and websites. He also co-authored a best-selling book titled “Bouncing Back: Thriving in Changing Times.”

Sam became a member of the BCACC (British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors) in July 1996 and served on the Registration Committee, the Board, and as Vice-President of Region 3 for 12½ years. He resigned those positions upon being appointed as a part-time member of the Parole Board of Canada; he was re-appointed and completed his second 3-year term in February 2015. H

Want to know more? He would be happy to share with you. Give him a call at 250-868-2338 or email him at dr.samreimer@gmail.com