Vancouver Island Holistic Counselling

If you need help navigating a painful situation in your life, or if you feel like you’re struggling every day just to keep yourself together, I hear you.

Counselling and Therapy Services

Coming up against the same old obstacles, the same old blocks, over and over again, can make you wonder if anything is ever going to change.

You’ve tried to solve your problems on your own and you’re starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, you need outside support.

I’m glad you’re here. Asking for help can be hard, but it’s a great first step toward lasting change.

We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.

— Brené Brown

How does this sound?

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Setting goals and meeting them without struggle

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A feeling of connectedness, purpose, and meaning
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Trusting in yourself, and a feeling of abiding peace

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Being heard and understood without judgment
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Enjoying deep, lasting intimate relationships
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Waking up excited for each day
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Having the inner strength and the tools you need to navigate difficult situations

I want to see you thrive, not just survive!

Hi, I’m Véro! Clients often tell me how much joy, fun, and positivity I bring to them.

But here’s a secret. I wasn’t always like this. I used to be depressed. When I was a teen, I smoked tobacco and told people I wanted to die young. I thought life was pointless. I often struggled to fit in, to find my place, to feel good about myself, to feel like I could make a difference in the world.

Throughout these challenges, exercise has been my medicine. It elevates my mood and gives me power over my life. Then I discovered yoga and therapy to heal my body from the pain and trauma caused by repeated accidents.

I created Choose2be, my health and fitness company, in order to share with others the joy of a healthy lifestyle, especially exercise. Now that I’ve graduated as a Transpersonal Therapeutic Counsellor, I’ve opened Vancouver Island Holistic Counselling to offer more rounded services to my clients, because we are so much more than just our bodies.

Let me empower you – to realize your potential, to help you develop your inner and outer strength

Véronique’s Qualifications

What led me to become a counsellor?

I often ended up talking with my fitness clients about their personal lives — their relationship challenges, their frustrations with bad habits, how difficult it is to cope with stress, how they drink to lower their anxiety and then end up eating more than they meant to . . . does any of this sound familiar?

I wanted to be able to support my clients on more than just the physical plane, so I’ve added counselling to my toolkit, and now I have an even more holistic approach to healing that includes body, mind, and spirit.

With a life partner and three boys, I’m aware of the life struggles many people face with parenting, relationships, grieving, depression, and anxiety.

If you would like to learn more about my story, please listen to the interview I did with the Wake Up With Gratitude Podcast. Available on Spotify, Apple, or direct download.

A holistic approach to health

Exercising, eating well, a connection to nature, healthy relationships with ourselves and others, the ability to laugh and play, meaningful work — all of these things are important for our wellbeing.

I’m here to support you toward becoming the best version of yourself, to offer a safe, non-judgmental environment, and to facilitate your natural healing impulses.

You don’t have to be alone on this journey. I have the training and experience to help you overcome your struggles, unearth your desires, and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Individuals

Couples

Families

I work with individuals, couples, and families to help with:

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Stress management

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Low self-esteem

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Depression and anxiety

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Adapting to transitions, major life changes

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Grieving the loss of a loved one or pet

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Coping with trauma

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Addictions, attachments, compulsions

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Family/marriage/relationship crises

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Career change and job stress

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Communication

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Spiritual crisis

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Personal growth, finding meaning

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Sex positive sexual health, sexual orientation

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Coping with critical illness

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How to love your body

Wellness Blog & Tips

Preventing Burnout for Care Professionals: Why Self-Care and Support Matter

Preventing Burnout for Care Professionals: Why Self-Care and Support Matter

Care professionals like counsellors, nurses, care givers, and social workers play a critical role in supporting others during their time of need. However, working in high-stress environments can take a toll on their own mental and emotional well-being. By prioritizing self-care and seeking out support, care professionals can prevent burnout and maintain their own well-being, ensuring they are able to provide the essential care and support their clients or patients need.

Imago Therapy: Strengthen Your Bond and Improve Communication on Vancouver Island

Imago Therapy: Strengthen Your Bond and Improve Communication on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island Counselling is committed to providing compassionate and effective therapy services to individuals and couples seeking to improve their mental health and relationships. With a focus on Imago Therapy, communication, and conflict resolution, our team of experienced therapists helps clients build stronger and healthier relationships. We also offer support for personal growth, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Contact us today to start your journey towards improved well-being.

Gottman therapy for couple and the basic counselling method

Gottman therapy for couple and the basic counselling method

“Gottman therapy, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is a structured and goal-oriented approach to couples therapy that is based on over four decades of research and clinical experience with thousands of couples. This therapy is designed to help couples build and maintain healthy, long-lasting relationships by improving communication skills, reducing conflict, and increasing emotional intelligence. The therapy is based on a number of principles and techniques, including the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the Magic Ratio, Love Maps, the Emotional Bank Account, and Dreams Within Conflict. In Gottman therapy, the therapist works with the couple to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop skills and strategies to improve their relationship. This post explores the basics of Gottman therapy and how it can help couples in Nanaimo and on Vancouver Island to build stronger, healthier relationships.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a counsellor do?

A counsellor is a qualified professional who is here to listen and encourage you to say whatever you need to in a non-judgemental atmosphere. Sometimes, listening is the only thing that’s needed for the healing process to begin.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, overcoming past trauma or relationship issues, you don’t have to be alone in this journey. I have the training and experience to help you overcome these struggles, achieve your goals, and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

By working with me, you’ll uncover your own self-knowledge and strengths and, in the process, identify your own solutions. I help people break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. As your counsellor, I will create a confidential space for you to share your story so that we can work collaboratively towards your goals.

I believe you are unique and have the wisdom, creativity, strength and ability to create the life you deeply desire. If you want to know more about my approach to therapy, you can learn more by reading here.

What are Véronique’s qualifications?

I am a Transpersonal Therapeutic Counsellor. I’ve earned a Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology after graduating from a three-year experiential program with Clearmind International. During the program, I’ve completed 230 hours of observation hours, 221 hours of direct client contact hours, 70 hours of supervision and 240 hours of therapeutic hours, not including my regular weekly classes. I am also certified Education Assistant and Community worker. I also been working as a Health and Fitness expert for the last 20 years, to know more about it, check out my Choose2be.ca website.

What is Transpersonal Psychology?

I am trained in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology, which combines aspects of modern psychology and spirituality. I believe that a holistic approach to healing includes mind, body, and spirit.

There are many layers to a person, and what we need to be working on is fluid and constantly changing. Sometimes we need to be working on the “ego,” while at other times we need to explore our spiritual connection to ourselves and all that is around us.

A spiritual counsellor is willing to see wholeness and perfection in others. I choose to see light, innocence, beauty, and magnificence in my clients.

The transpersonal therapist works under a larger umbrella than many other therapists. We have a more varied tool box with which to work from, as we are trained in spiritual counselling as well as modern psychological interventions. It really is the best of both worlds.

 Let’s get together!

We can work together via phone or video, by sitting down in person, or — my favourite: Walk and Talk Therapy!

My promise to you

I will meet you with flexibility, adapting my approach to your unique circumstances. I will help you become who you authentically are, and will greet you with acceptance, knowing that diversity is what makes human beings beautiful. I see vulnerability as the window to connection and will hold your vulnerability with care and compassion. I take confidentiality seriously and have processes in place to guarantee your privacy.

Questions? Feel free to contact me. info@vancouverislandholisticcounselling.ca

"It has a been a privilege being on the receiving end of Veronique's warmth and wise insight. She has supported me through some tough moments in life* and always has an incredible depth of care in her eyes while lovingly holding space for me with her gentle nature. She is extremely compassionate and I find her to be very trustworthy. She is a gift to all who work with her!"

Sacha Drury

"You have helped me deal with an aging body and helped me with flexibility. You’ve also helped me to accept my own mortality and be joyful to face every new day."

Sharon Krog

" I am deeply in gratitude with Veronique for her compassion, understanding, patience, creativity, and professionalism. Veronique has been an amazing therapist whom I have learned a variety of tools to help me deal with challenges. Since I took her counselling, I have taking a new path to self-discovering and I can always go back to the basics she has taught me and re bounce myself. I loved her style and commitment to help me accept myself, love myself and approve myself. She has giving me a new perspective about life, about myself and the world. I was impressed by her knowledge about the mind, emotions and really appreciated her relaxing techniques incorporated into every session. Thanks Vero! "

Lorena G.

"Veronique is bright with joy and laughter that often fills the time I’ve spent with her. I feel her deep care and support in the middle of any interaction I have with her. Vero brings her vast knowledge of the body and health into her work as a counselor with ease. I had this feeling of being challenged on my stuff while being cared about when with Veronique. Working with her is always dynamic!"

 Joel Todd

"Veronique is one of the most compassionate and empathetic people I know. She knows just how to hold people in their tenderness and is also not afraid to fully embrace their life victories. She does this through full self expression and leadership in the area of embracing movement and expression in voice and body. Vero is a dynamic and gifted therapist, masterful in the area of empathy and forward moving in her ability to tap into forgiveness of self and other."

Jason McQuarrie

Get In Touch

*Clients are asked to provide a minimum of 24 hours notice for all cancellations. Appointments that are cancelled or missed without 24 hours notice will be charged the full amount of the scheduled appointment. Cancellations or changes to your appointment can be made by emailing me or calling me (250) -740-0886.