Tamara Pearl Counselling

Somatic and arts based therapy for trauma.

My background:

I have a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in creative modalities. At West End Outreach Counselling in the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State I had the opportunity to work with clients from 18 months to 84 years old. I worked for 5 years at the Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center helping adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. I have worked in outpatient counselling clinics, schools, a psychiatric facility, residential treatment centers, bridge building cross cultural workshops, and private practice. I currently teach in the Masters of Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy program at Adler University. I am registered with the First Nations Health Authority and British Columbia Crime Victim Assistance Program.

Work settings include:

-Private Practice, North Vancouver, BC

-Chopra Addiction and Wellness Center, Squamish, BC

-Adjunct Instructor, Adler University, Vancouver

-Orchard Recovery Center, Bowen Island, BC

-Reconciliation Canada, North Vancouver, BC

-West End Outreach (Forks Community Hospital), Forks Washington

-Makah Family Services, Makah Tribal Council, Neah Bay, Washington

-Ina Maka Family Program, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, Seattle, Washington

-Oak Street Family Therapy, Port Angeles, Washington

-Northwest evaluation and Treatment Center, Seattle, Washington

-Crisis Clinic, Seattle, Washington

My approach is client centered, non-judgmental, and respects the uniqueness of each person. I provide a safe space where together we can explore, name, and validate your values, needs, and goals, and diffuse old recurring emotional, behavioral, and belief patterns that get in the way of being who you want to be. I help you access internal and external resources to strengthen your resilience and help you feel more connected to yourself and others.

My areas of specific specialty and experience include trauma, cultural trauma, substance abuse, and low self worth. I use different approaches with different people which may include a body centered approach, expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, and talk therapy. A body centered approach is helpful because while our minds are often busy trying to figure things out, our body sense usually has knowledge of what feels right. Expressive arts therapy is a powerful way to access parts of ourselves that words can’t convey. And mindfulness helps us stay present and calm.

I help people cultivate self compassion. When we walk through life with compassion for ourselves, we are able to navigate challenges easier. I believe that we all hold answers within, and my job is to help people access their answers and gain confidence in their ability to do so.

Healing is an important journey and I am always honored to accompany clients.

Services:

Individual Couple & Family Therapy

Group Therapy

Art as Expression Workshops

Psychoeducational Workshops

Circle Process Facilitation

Expressive Arts Therapy