Victoria, Mill Bay, & online in BC, NS & PEI

Our Office Team

Before you sit down with a counsellor, you'll likely talk with our office team. Carla is the clinic director. Jamie-Lee answers your call, matches you with the right therapist and sorts out billing.

Carla Leuschen Clinic Director Jamie-Lee Barden Intake Coordinator & Office Support
Carla Leuschen, MSW, clinic director at Strength in Heart Counselling in Victoria and Mill Bay, BC

Clinic Director

Carla Leuschen

MPA, MSW

I started Strength in Heart Counselling in 2018 after more than a decade in mental health research and program evaluation. Today I manage our clinics in Victoria and Mill Bay, BC.

Education

  • Master of Social Work (Advanced), University of Victoria, 2018
  • Master of Social Work (Foundation), University of Victoria, 2016
  • Master of Public Administration, University of Saskatchewan, 2012
  • BA (Hons.), Forensic Psychology, Carleton University, 2009
  • Doctorate in Metaphysical Sciences, University of Metaphysical Sciences (in progress)

Clinical training

  • Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté
  • Trauma & Memory: Somatic Experiencing skills (Peter Levine, PhD)
  • The Body Keeps the Score intensive (Dr. Bessel van der Kolk)
  • Foundations of Narrative Therapy, VSNT
  • ASIST suicide intervention; VTRA Levels 1 & 2
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  • Mindfulness Counselling Strategies, CTRI
  • Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Commission of Canada
  • "It's Not Right" workshop facilitation, BC Community Response Networks
Publications & presentations (7)
  • Leuschen-Mewis, C. (2015). Police interactions with persons suffering from mental illness. Public Safety Canada.
  • Bowen, R., et al. (2015). The relationship between mood instability and suicidal thoughts. Archives of Suicide Research, 19, 161–71.
  • Bowen, R., et al. (2012). Mood instability is the distinctive feature of neuroticism. Personality and Individual Differences, 53, 896–900.
  • Mela, M. & Leuschen, C. (2012). Psychiatric assessment and treatment of FASD in the forensic outpatient clinic. 5th National Biennial Conference on FASD, Vancouver.
  • Bowen, R., et al. (2011). Predictors of suicidal thoughts: Mood instability versus neuroticism. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 1034–1038.
  • Leuschen, C. (2011). System Overload: "Tough on crime" policies and the Canadian correctional system.

Intake Coordinator & Office Support

Jamie-Lee Barden

Jamie-Lee has an undergraduate degree in psychology and is currently working on her Master's in Counselling.

Counsellor Matching
She will review your intake form, email, or text and suggest counsellors whose training, schedule and rate fits your needs.
Book a free intake consultation
Prefer to speak with Jamie-Lee? Connect with her via video or phone for a free 20-minute intake consultation.
Billing Questions
She will answer any questions you have about your invoice, how to submit payment, or to make payment arrangements.
Connect with Jamie-Lee
(Replies within 1 business day)
Book a free intake consultation Call or text 1 (888) 520-9151 admin@strengthinheart.ca
Jamie-Lee Barden, intake coordinator at Strength in Heart Counselling in Victoria and Mill Bay, BC

Getting started takes three steps

  1. Reach out
    Call, text or email Jamie-Lee, or book a free intake consultation online.
  2. Get matched
    Fill in our short matching survey and we'll suggest counsellors who fit.
  3. Free 20-minute consult
    Meet your counsellor before booking a full first session.
Book a free consultation Take the matching quiz

Questions for the office

Who do I contact to book counselling?

Jamie-Lee handles client intakes. Call or text 1 (888) 520-9151, email admin@strengthinheart.ca, or book a free intake consultation online.

Can you bill my insurance directly?

Yes, we offer direct billing to many extended health plans, and we work with ICBC and CVAP claims.

Where are your offices?

1183 Fort Street in Victoria, and Mill Bay Centre, Suite #368, 2720 Mill Bay Road in Mill Bay. We also see clients online across BC, Nova Scotia and PEI.

Can I book a session with Carla?

Carla is not currently accepting new clients.