Background

It’s lovely to meet you! My name is Janaya (she/her), and I am an Intern Counsellor with Avery Therapy Centre. I was raised in Central Alberta but was drawn to the West Coast through a love for the ocean and nature. The journey West went well beyond a geographical change, it opened the door to deeper self-discovery and understanding. Starting over in a new place demands time and energy to explore ourselves and what we desire, to build connections with others, and to imagine what we want for our lives - then to put it into action!

I am truly grateful to live, work, and play in the Cowichan Valley, the traditional unceded lands of the Cowichan
Tribes. The slower pace of life has been like a breath of fresh air, bringing a greater appreciation for the gift of
therapy, the time to sit with others, to offer connection and deep discussion. Fortunately, this was made possible through the privilege of acquiring a Bachelor of Science through the University of Victoria, as well as my current undertaking of a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University. One fun fact to know about me is that I love to scrapbook. When my creativity is flowing, I often print some photos and find my paper in the hope of creating something beautiful.

 

Therapeutic Approach

In my therapeutic practice, I believe that healing emerges when we put time and energy into ourselves to discover what it is that isn’t working. Narrative therapy is a therapeutic modality that I rely on to explore the story that we create to tell others about our lives. When we reflect on our stories, there can be new ideas that come to light that offer us guidance toward a path of healing. I believe in building an authentic connection with ourselves, others, and the world. I integrate various other modalities such as Psychodynamic therapy to look at the experiences in our formative years and the beliefs that were established early on; Dialectical behavioural therapy to find acceptance around the notion that two opposing thoughts or ideas can be true and co-exist; Mindfulness that brings our attention to the present moment to observe our thoughts and emotions; and Existentialism which can be a search for purpose and meaning, and exploring the simplicity or complexity of human existence. The approach that I take depends entirely on your individual needs and preferences, taking into consideration your therapy goals and personal values and beliefs.

 

I am committed to fostering a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate therapeutic space so that you feel
comfortable to embark on this journey! I want you to know that your thoughts, emotions, and ideas are valued here - I honor your expertise. I value collaboration during our time together so that you feel understood and supported. I take a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, anti-oppressive approach toward therapy and welcome any feedback to make changes throughout our time together. We will work toward your therapy goals by developing resilience, tapping into your inner strengths, and exploring your beliefs. You are not alone in this - we will navigate the uncertainty together! I look forward to meeting you where you are.

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My online booking link can be found here.