Extended health benefit coverage now available: Counsellor & Somatic Parts Work Specialist in Victoria, BC & Online Across Canada
We’re happy to announce that counselling services with Kendra Shaw, MSW, RSW are now covered by many extended health plans!
Kendra is a counsellor and Somatic Parts Work specialist whose work is grounded in deep compassion, body-based wisdom, and a profound respect for each person’s inner resilience. She offers individual counselling in person in Victoria, BC and online across Canada. She supports adults navigating trauma, chronic pain and illness, anxiety, depression, attachment wounds, and the lingering impact of non-ordinary states.
“I believe in the inherent wisdom within each person and I aim to cultivate a safe & non-judgmental environment where you can delve into your inner self, discover your strengths, & navigate your unique life journey.”
What Is Somatic Parts Work?
Many of us have had the experience of feeling “torn” inside:
A part of you wants to rest, while another part pushes you to keep going.
A part of you longs for closeness, while another part is terrified of being hurt again.
A part of you knows you’re doing your best, while another part criticizes you relentlessly.
Somatic Parts Work is a gentle, body-based way of meeting these inner parts with curiosity, compassion, and respect. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and integrative somatic approaches, Kendra helps you:
Notice how different parts of you show up in your body (tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, numbness, restlessness).
Understand how these parts developed to protect you in times of stress, trauma, or overwhelm.
Offer each part the safety, care, and witnessing it never received, so it no longer has to work so hard to keep you safe.
Rather than trying to “get rid” of parts, Somatic Parts Work invites you to befriend them – creating more space for ease, choice, and self-compassion.
Watch Video of Kendra Explaining Somatic Parts Work
Kendra has created a short YouTube video where she explains Somatic Parts Work in her own words, what it is, who it can help, and what a session might feel like.
Kendra’s Areas of Focus
Kendra’s practice is especially supportive if you’re working through:
Trauma & relational trauma
Chronic pain and chronic illness
Anxiety and depression
Attachment wounds & difficulties in relationships
Non-ordinary state integration (e.g. powerful experiences that were hard to process)
Self-esteem, self-love, and emotional regulation
Her clients often come to her feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or disconnected from their bodies. Together, you’ll work at a pace that feels safe, building skills for grounding, emotional regulation, and self-compassion while gently exploring the roots of your pain.
A Relational, Holistic Approach
Kendra’s therapy style is:
Relational: She sees therapy as a collaborative relationship where you are the expert on your own life.
Integrative: She weaves together parts work, somatic therapy, relational attunement, and emotional resonance.
Holistic: She honours the mind–body–spirit connection, recognizing that distress is shaped not only by personal history, but also by systemic, social, and historical forces.
Non-judgmental & trauma-informed: Kendra creates a space where all of your experiences and emotions are welcome – including the parts of you that feel “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “not enough.”
Her clients value her warmth, grounded presence, and ability to create a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel truly seen, heard, and empowered.
Training, Experience, and Professional Background
Kendra brings a strong foundation of education and specialized training to her work, including:
Master of Social Work – University of Victoria (2025)
Integrative Somatic Parts Work (Levels 1–3) – Fran Booth, LICSW (2024)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Training – Stacy Ruse, LPC (2025)
Trauma, stress, and addictions training with Dr. Gabor Maté (2025)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills training
Suicide intervention, Indigenous cultural safety training, and extensive experience in community mental health
Kendra is a Registered Social Worker (RSW #17968) with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. Her services may be covered under extended health benefits that include Registered Social Workers.
Who Kendra Works With
Kendra is currently accepting new individual clients for counselling:
In person at our Victoria, BC office
Online for clients located anywhere in Canada
She offers:
Free 20-minute consultations to help you get a feel for her style and ask questions.
$150 individual sessions, with extended health plan coverage often available through benefits that cover RSWs.
If you’re unsure whether Somatic Parts Work is right for you, a free consult is a gentle first step to explore your options without pressure.
When Somatic Parts Work Might Be Right for You
You might find Kendra’s approach especially helpful if:
You’ve tried more “talk-based” therapy and still feel stuck in the same patterns.
Your emotions feel overwhelming, or you tend to shut down or go numb.
You live with chronic pain or illness and sense there’s an emotional component that hasn’t been fully addressed.
You’re curious about the mind–body connection and want a more embodied, compassionate way of healing.
You’re ready to move from self-criticism and survival mode toward radical self-compassion and inner safety.
Work with Kendra
If Kendra’s approach resonates with you, we’d love to support you in taking the next step.
Book a free 20-minute consultation with Kendra:
Book a free consultLearn more about Somatic Parts Work and our services:
Visit our Somatic Parts Therapy page or explore our blog.
Whether you’re navigating trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, or simply longing for a kinder relationship with yourself, Kendra is here to walk alongside you – one compassionate, embodied step at a time.
