READY FOR CHANGE?
LET’S TURN YOUR STORM INTO A STORY OF STRENGTH
Counselling in Victoria, BC & ONline Across Canada
Cleia Sangster, PhD
Practicum Student Counsellor
Free 20 minute virtual consultations,
free 1st full session &
then $35 per session.
(Under the supervision of Carla Mae Leuschen, RSW #14081)
Accepting new individuals for counselling in Victoria, BC & online
“The stories we tell ourselves about who we are often are not our own. We build our sense of self through our experiences with significant people over the course of our lives. Sometimes, though, we get to a point in the life where the way we are living no longer aligns with the person we want to be, and that can be painful.”
Areas of focus
Attachment & family of origin issues
Mothering & motherhood issues
Parent-adult child relationshipS
Identity exploration & discovery (including cultural identity, gender identity, LGBTQIA+)
Workplace-related trauma (non-profit sector)
Individual Counselling: Free 1st session & then $35 per session.
Cleia’s Approach to Counselling
I believe that we all are doing our best, and when our best stops working, it’s time to try something different. Sometimes, though, we need to support to identify what that something is.
My favourite framework for working with clients is Narrative Therapy because it aligns with three fundamental principles that guide all my work with individuals:
1. I believe that you are the expert of your own life, which means that you are the only one
who can decide what is best for you.
2. I believe that you are not your problems: your life is so much bigger than the problems
you are experiencing.
3. I believe that you have the skills, beliefs, and commitments that will help you to reduce
the influence of problems in your life, whatever that means or looks like for you.
My Story
I have a PhD in Developmental Psychology and was a university professor and instructor for 10 years. I then moved into the nonprofit sector where I have spent the last 10 years working with newcomer women, survivors of intimate partner violence, and parents of babies and teens. Counselling is the career I’ve always wanted to land in, and I am thrilled to finally be here. I was raised in Montréal, Québec, (the traditional territories of the Kanienʼkehá:ka) by parents who were immigrants to Canada. I grew up and was educated in French and English, surrounded by other children who themselves were the children of immigrant parents from all over the world. For me, diversity is the default. I love working with folks from a variety of cultural, national, and linguistic backgrounds. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or how imperfect your English, I will be happy to meet you.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are also very welcome. Though I do not identify as Queer myself, queer folks have been a consistent part of my life from my late teens up to and including having raised two queer now-adult children of my own. I believe strongly in creating a safe space for all people, regardless of identity or gender presentation, to be accepted and welcomed as they are.
Education
Diploma of Professional Counselling, Vancouver College of Counsellor Training (VCCT)
Youth & Family Support Worker Certificate, Vancouver College of Counsellor Training (VCCT)
PhD, Developmental Psychology, Temple University
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Harvard University