Child, youth & family counsellor in Mill Bay
Heather Goodings, MA, RTC
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor & Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
Life is full of twists, turns and transitions. I’ll meet you where you’re at, without judgement, with empathy, compassion and sometimes humour.
Accepting new youth, adults and families
- Free 20-minute consult
- Hypnotherapy available
- In person in Mill Bay
Support for youth, families and adults through life’s transitions
I see youth 13 and up, adults and families in person at our Mill Bay office.
I support people working through unresolved life events, building healthier patterns with themselves and others, easing anxiety and finding a clearer sense of purpose. As a hypnotherapist, I also help people let go of fears, phobias, habits and stress.
My approach
With a background in Child and Youth Care, my approach is relational, collaborative and client-centred. I meet people where they’re at and build on the strengths they already have.
Alongside talk therapy, I offer guided hypnotherapy. Bodies and nervous systems can hold stress and hard experiences in ways that talking doesn’t always reach, and hypnotherapy gives us another way in.
I also draw on somatic practices, mindfulness, visualization and Jungian ideas such as shadow work. My graduate research looked at the “wounded healer” in the helping professions, and I bring that same respect for lived experience into the room with every client.
How I work
- Child & Youth Care practice
- Clinical hypnotherapy
- Strength-based & trauma-informed
- Somatic & mindfulness practices
- Visualization
- Jungian shadow work
Clinical hypnotherapy
When talking about it isn’t enough
Hypnotherapy involves quietly relaxing and going deep within. From that calm, focused state, we can find what’s been blocking you, release what you no longer need and connect with your own inner resources.
I’ve offered hypnotherapy since 2017, with over 500 hours of clinical hypnotherapy training. You can use it on its own or alongside counselling.
Not sure Heather’s the right fit?
Ask your questions first, for free
Book a 20-minute consult with Heather, or answer a few quick questions and we’ll suggest the counsellor who fits best.
My twisting, turning path to becoming a counsellor began with my own healing journey.
My story
Through a mix of talk therapy, a dedicated yoga practice and many mind-body approaches, I began to heal. Those experiences inspired me to study Child and Youth Care and go on to graduate school, turning a longstanding wish to support others into a vocation.
Over more than 15 years, I’ve worked with children, youth and families in community programs, recreation, child protection, an employee and family assistance program and my own hypnotherapy practice. I’ve facilitated youth groups and grief groups for children going through loss, divorce and big changes, and taught yoga for years.
My lived experience shapes my training and my commitment to self-reflection. I bring respect for each person’s story and an understanding that healing is a lifelong journey. I welcome people of all identities and offer a 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming space.
Education, training & experience
Education
- Master of Arts in Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria (2026)
- Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care, child protection specialization, Vancouver Island University (2016)
- Bachelor of Arts in Comparative History, with distinction, Vancouver Island University (2012)
Training & certifications
- Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy (300 hours), Hypnosis Motivation Institute
- Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Diploma (220 hours), Canadian College of Advanced Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
- Supervised clinical counselling practicum (330 hours)
- Child protection practicum (300 hours), Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Yoga Teacher Certification (200 hours), Moksana Yoga Centre
Experience
- Child, youth and family counsellor in an employee and family assistance program (2022–2026)
- Clinical hypnotherapist in private practice (since 2017)
- Youth group co-facilitator, ages 9–18
- Rainbows grief and transition group facilitator, Canadian Mental Health Association
Professional memberships
- Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC), Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT)
- International Association of Counselling Hypnotherapists (IACH)
Have a question first?
Send Heather a message
Ask about availability, fit, hypnotherapy or anything else. Our admin team reads every message, passes it to Heather and gets back to you as soon as they can.
Please don’t send urgent or crisis information here. If you need help right now, call or text 9-8-8.
Questions about working with Heather
Is Heather accepting new clients?
Yes. Heather is accepting new youth 13 and up, adults and families in person at our Mill Bay office.
Can my teen see Heather?
Yes. Heather has worked with youth for over 15 years. Teens 13 and up can see her, and can reach out to us on their own. Read more about youth counselling.
What is hypnotherapy like?
Hypnotherapy involves quietly relaxing and going deep within, guided by Heather. From that calm, focused state, you can release what’s been holding you back and connect with your own inner resources. It works on its own or alongside talk therapy.
What can hypnotherapy help with?
Heather uses hypnotherapy to help people let go of fears, phobias, unwanted habits, stress and anxiety. It can also help when talk therapy hasn’t reached something your body is still holding.
How much does a session cost?
Individual, youth and hypnotherapy sessions with Heather are $HEATHER-RATE per hour, and family sessions are $HEATHER-FAMILY-RATE per hour. Many extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC), but check your plan first.
Where does Heather see clients?
Heather sees clients in person at our Mill Bay office: Mill Bay Centre, Suite #368, 2720 Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay, BC.
What happens in the free consultation?
It’s a 20-minute call to ask questions, share a little about what’s going on and see whether Heather feels like the right fit before you book a full session.