Description
Trauma-informed therapy practice offering individual counselling and relationship counselling.
Anna MacGillivray Counselling offers in-person and online counselling sessions in Vancouver and throughout BC. Anna uses a holistic approach to counselling and works with people exploring personal growth, disordered eating, addictions, trauma, and worldview shifts. She offers Individual counselling, Relationship counselling, Somatic Experiencing, Psychedelic Integration, and Clinical
Hypnotherapy.
Compassionate, trauma-informed therapy for folks seeking emotional support, greater understanding of self, and increased health and well-being.
My belief is that through holding space for clients to explore patterns, beliefs, and choices without judgement, healing and growth can be supported. The shifts in perspective clients experience in therapy often come with discomfort and I hope to create an environment of safety and trust to ease the growth work. Whatever you may be struggling with or wanting to explore, I hope to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for your self-discovery. I aim to meet you where you’re at, to understand where you want you to go, and to come alongside you as you seek change.
The journey inward may be lonely at times, and I aspire for you to feel seen, heard, and empowered in your pursuit of greater health.
About Anna:
Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in downtown Vancouver.
My approach to clinical counselling is rooted in the idea that the body holds knowledge that cannot always be expressed through words. I firmly believe that change is possible through connection and awareness of self. I aim to work alongside clients to help them gain safety and comfort in their lives, their relationships, and their bodies. Incorporating emotion processing techniques, psycho-education, somatic techniques, and exploring emotional and behavioural patterning, I offer a holistic approach to therapy. As we connect to our own worth and value in the world, we can develop the capacity to move through difficult emotions with confidence. My hope is that clients leave our interactions feeling seen, heard, and supported in their growth.
I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and have additional training in Emotion Focused Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Clinical Hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and yoga. I work with youth and adults looking to gain more understanding of self and worldview, trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, and other emotional and mental health concerns.
What to Expect:
Counselling sessions are a space for you to talk, vent, or share your goals. I know it can be intimidating to willingly walk into vulnerable conversation with someone new. I’m here to create comfort and safety, we won’t be strangers for long. If you’re nervous or needing direction, I’m happy to take a leading role. If you have a set idea of what you’d like to talk about, I’m here to accommodate.
Therapy will vary for everyone depending on your needs and goals. Here’s a typical outline of what you might expect:
The early stages of therapy we will work together to establish a safe, nurturing, and trusting environment. Typically, in the first session, we will explore the history of your struggles and acknowledge the coping strategies, behaviours, and habits you’ve developed throughout your life to support yourself. This allows us to explore if and how your current patterns are serving you. We will discuss what you’re goals for counselling and create a self-care plan to ensure proper care between sessions.
As we continue with counselling sessions, it might look like further conversation about the past, discussions about current struggles, and we will continually engage more deeply with your emotions. We can explore the positive changes you’d like to see in your life and build up a stronger sense of self in order to achieve your goals.
The length and consistency of counselling or therapy varies depending on your needs and goals. As you start to feel better and incorporate the work from sessions into your day to day life, you may feel as though you don’t need to meet as regularly. I am here to support you for as little or as long as you may need. If you are hoping to make counselling a part of your regular self-care practice, I would recommend meeting weekly or bi-weekly for the first 3-4 sessions and reassessing frequency from there based on your specific needs.
Location
