Low-cost counselling in Victoria, BC and online
Cleia Sangster, PhD
Practicum student counsellor
Family, motherhood and the relationships that shaped you can be a lot to untangle. I’ll help you explore the stories you’ve been told about yourself and decide which ones are really yours.
Not accepting new clients
- Free 20-minute consult
- Free first full session
- Then $35 per session
- Fort Street office or online
Counselling for family, motherhood and finding your own story
I see individuals in person at our Victoria office on Fort Street, and online by video or phone.
We build our sense of self through our relationships with the important people in our lives. Sometimes we reach a point where the way we’re living no longer fits the person we want to be, and that can be painful. That’s often when people come to me.
My approach
I believe we’re all doing our best, and when our best stops working, it’s time to try something different. Sometimes we need support to figure out what that something is.
The stories we tell ourselves about who we are often aren’t our own. We pick them up from family, culture and the people who mattered most to us growing up. In our sessions, we’ll look at those stories together, notice which ones still fit and make room for the ones you want to live by.
My favourite way to do that is narrative therapy. It treats you as the expert on your own life and keeps the focus on your strengths, rather than on what’s wrong with you.
How I work
- Narrative therapy
- Attachment-informed
- Culturally responsive
- 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming
Narrative therapy
Your life is bigger than the problems in it
Narrative therapy is my favourite framework because it matches what I believe about every person I work with.
Not sure Cleia’s the right fit?
Try a free consult and a free first session
Book a 20-minute consult with Cleia, or answer a few quick questions and we’ll suggest the counsellor who fits best.
For me, diversity is the default. No matter who you are, where you’re from or how imperfect your English, I’ll be happy to meet you.
My story
I have a PhD in Developmental Psychology and spent 10 years as a university professor and instructor. I then moved into the non-profit sector, where I spent another 10 years working with newcomer women, survivors of intimate partner violence, and parents of babies and teens. Counselling is the career I always wanted, and I’m thrilled to finally be here.
I was raised in Montréal, on the traditional territories of the Kanienʼkehá:ka, by parents who immigrated to Canada. I grew up speaking French and English, surrounded by other children of immigrants from all over the world. I love working with people from many cultural, national and language backgrounds.
2SLGBTQIA+ folks are very welcome too. I don’t identify as queer myself, but queer people have been part of my life since my late teens, including the two queer adult children I raised. Everyone deserves a space where they’re accepted as they are, whatever their identity or gender presentation.
Education & training
Counselling training
- Diploma of Professional Counselling, Vancouver College of Counsellor Training (VCCT)
- Youth and Family Support Worker Certificate, VCCT
Academic background
- PhD in Developmental Psychology, Temple University
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harvard University
Current role
- Practicum student counsellor at Strength in Heart Counselling, working under clinical supervision
Questions about working with Cleia
Is Cleia accepting new clients?
Yes. Cleia is accepting new individual clients in person at our Victoria office and online.
How much do sessions with Cleia cost?
The 20-minute consultation and your first full session are both free. After that, sessions are $35. See choose what you pay for how our lower-cost counselling works.
What is a practicum student counsellor?
Cleia has completed her counselling training and is now doing her supervised practicum with us. That’s why her sessions cost much less than those with a registered counsellor. She also brings a PhD in Developmental Psychology and 20 years of teaching and non-profit work.
Will my insurance cover sessions with Cleia?
Usually not. Most extended health plans only cover registered counsellors. At $35 a session, many people find Cleia affordable without insurance.
Can Cleia help with family or motherhood?
Yes. Attachment, family of origin, mothering and parent–adult child relationships are her main areas of focus.
Is Cleia a good fit if I’m a newcomer to Canada or 2SLGBTQIA+?
Yes. Cleia is the child of immigrants, spent years working with newcomer women and loves working with people from many cultural backgrounds. 2SLGBTQIA+ clients are very welcome, and our whole team is 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming.
What happens in the free consultation?
It’s a 20-minute online call to ask questions, share a little about what’s going on and see whether Cleia feels like the right fit before you book your free first session.