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 Nancy Hennessy is our office manager and your first contact on the phone. She can provide information about the counsellors, payment options and schedules. She will book appointments, reschedule appointments and take messages for the counsellors.
We believe that a friendly voice at the end of the phone is much preferable to an answering machine when you are looking for help.
Nancy can also assist you with any other business inquiries or concerns related to our office.
Deborah Marshall M.A., R.C.C.
 Change and growth do not have to be painful. I always look to how a person can reconnect with things that are positive and healing, and to the possibilities of developing new resources. Since beginning in private practice in 1988, I have made many shifts in my understanding about what allows people to make the changes they want in their lives. It is vital to be collaborative and present with clients during difficult times. It may be that this is more important than the specific therapeutic techniques that I make use of. As people find their way, I have often observed how their best selves begin to come forward to support them through painful and confusing circumstances. When this happens, things become clear and change is more possible.
From my original specialty in Family Therapy, I have come to treating the aftereffects of trauma. Moving beyond talk, I incorporate approaches that are proving to be more effective. I was among the first therapists in the Mid Island area to train in EMDR in 1996, and am an EMDRIA certified therapist in EMDR. As a support to doing advanced work with trauma, I also completed a two-year intensive training in Self Regulation Therapy, a "non-cathartic mind-body approach aimed at diminishing excess activation in the nervous system". Clients often tell me that they are relieved to discover that they can leave my office feeling better even after they have dealt with difficult issues.
I continue to see clients, work with organizations and support my colleagues in our group practice. People with depression, anxiety, loss, burnout, adjustment to disability and brain injury are all in my area of expertise. Years of Employee Assistance Programs and workplace interventions have provided experience in working with organizations.
Enjoying a life long interest in horses, and having seen and experienced the healing effect they can have, in 2000 I began to explore the combination of psychotherapy and horses. I was drawn to study in Tucson, Arizona with Linda Kohanov, author of "The Tao of Equus" and "Riding Between the Worlds". This powerful and heart-centred approach has opened many new doors. It is truly innovative and flexible. I combine the effectiveness of EMDR, SRT and my other methods with the power of horses. Two days of my week are spent seeing clients at Generation Farms, close to the City of Nanaimo.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors(#0636), a member of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, EAGALA and EMDRAC. My Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology was granted in 1987 from the University of British Columbia.
"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans."
-John Lennon
Joan Campbell B.N., M.Ed., R.C.C.
 Life is about possibility and change. Hope is the path that leads us there.
I have been counselling in private practice for over 14 years and can honestly say that I love my work even more now than when I began. The enjoyment I experience from my work comes from witnessing courage in the face of adversity and internal strength as clients search for understanding, acceptance, healing and change. Individuals bring a wide range of concerns into the counselling office. In the context of a helping professional relationship, we explore emotions, perceptions, solutions and ideas with the goal of developing self-empowerment, building capacity, and creating positive change. Our work together is often blended with moments of lightheartedness and humor.
If problems were easy to solve, people wouldn't be spending time and energy to come and see me. Some problems are very difficult and if I can help someone find hope in darkness, ease the pain of their emotional suffering, or learn new patterns of dealing with old situations then we are well on our way to finding solutions.
My undergraduate degree is in Nursing. In 1990 I received my Masters Degree and have continued learning ever since. I have studied to expand my knowledge in such areas as Brief / Solution-focused Therapy, Family Therapy, Grief and Loss and other relevant fields of counselling. I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy), have completed my advanced level training in Self Regulation Therapy (SRT) and have begun to assist Deborah Marshall as she works with her herd at Generation Farms, doing equine-facilitated psychotherapy.
Mary Dunstan M.A., R.C.C.
 Years ago a doctor asked me if therapy works. I told him “absolutely.” Time and time again I have seen people make the changes necessary to create a more functional, satisfying life. As a consequence, I always feel hopeful about my work with clients.
From the first session I work to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment, to focus on, process and resolve issues that seemed unresolvable.
I have been in the counselling field since 1988 and have worked as a family therapist since 1995. My master’s degree is in family systems counselling, and I have extensive training in other therapeutic approaches, including attachment therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), play therapy, couples therapy, Depth-Oriented Brief Therapy, and narrative therapy.
I work with individuals, couples, families, teens and children with a range of problems including depression, anxiety, family and parenting issues, couples issues, work issues, grief and loss, separation and divorce, trauma, and sexual abuse.
I am a member in good standing of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Nina Evans-Locke, M.A., R.C.C.
 “The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” - Hippocrates
I am often moved and inspired by the courage and determination of individuals and children/teens who come to therapy wanting to make their lives better, to feel healed and whole again, to have satisfying lives. Problems may seem insurmountable at first, but daily, I witness people taking deliberate, small steps towards the life they want for themselves and their families. Being a witness to this process is always an honour and a privilege that I treasure, each and every day of my work.
I believe that working with individuals, children, teens, couples and families is about respecting the expert knowledge that each individual and family possesses about themselves and what works for them. My job is to bring forgotten strengths, abilities, interests and talents to the awareness of each unique person and in doing so, assisting each individual and family to explore unique solutions to the problems they bring to therapy. Therapy is a collaborative process between the therapist and the individual/family.
I started my journey as a volunteer counsellor in a community counselling agency. I have worked in clinical services programs for 11 years. I have been in private practice since 1994. It’s been twenty years since I embarked on this journey.
My first training was in Client-Centered Therapy which continues to frame my approach. When indicated, I bring in other ways of working with individuals and families. I am trained in Brief/Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as well as EMDR therapy. I am exploring the possibilities of energy psychology, hoping to bring some of this into my practice when I am ready.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” - Carl Rogers
Kate Burns B.S.W., R.S.W
 A person's, "growth and unfolding, his or her answers and resolutions, completions and new directions, are all within."
(Ron Kurtz, Originator of the practice of Hakomi)
When given the chance, people choose to move towards greater health and well-being. Throughout my career in the field of social work I’ve been present with people while they faced significant life challenges. Through those challenging situations they discovered strengths and resources either previously unrecognized or not fully tapped.
I have often met people when they were in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, confused, alone or stuck. From that starting place, I’ve had the privilege of being with them as they found loving, courageous, and powerful ways to move forward. Through those experiences I’ve learned certain supports can assist the process.
By offering a mindful, strength-based, and collaborative approach, my goal is to help someone find their next best step. I draw from an ecological perspective and over 30 years experience working in relationship with others. In addition to providing one-to-one counselling and facilitating groups I’ve delivered residential recovery programs, designed and facilitated adult education and career planning courses, skills training, and personal development workshops. Also, I have several years experience in organizational leadership. In every setting, I have seen how a supportive and attuned relationship can provide a “safe-enough” context for someone to take the next step towards healing, improved relationships, and well being. I’m committed to the work that deepens each person’s connection to self, others and the earth and I value natural systems as our primary teachers.
My background includes experience and training in life transitions, career changes, workplace challenges, stress and burnout, relapse prevention, losses, relationship communication and boundaries. I am a Registered Social Worker and I remain a life-long learner. I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with and learn from many people who desire more open-hearted, conscious, and effective ways of being in the world. Currently I’m pursuing further training in Hakomi; Self-Regulation Therapy, Ecopsychology, and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy.
Kate Palmer, M.A., R.C.C
 I have been working as a helping professional for 8 years, initially as a child and youth care worker and subsequently as a therapist. I feel very privileged to be able to share in the lives of the people with whom I work and am constantly inspired by the courage and strength that I witness clients demonstrating in the face of very difficult and painful situations. It is very exciting to accompany people on their journeys as they rediscover their strengths, skills, wisdom, and passions, ultimately taking charge of their lives in a way that enables them to make the changes they envision for themselves.
I work with different clients in different ways because I believe it is important to use approaches that compliment the unique strengths, interests, and expertise that each client brings to counselling as well as being appropriate for the issues and problems that are causing concern. Regardless of the approach, the foundation of my work is client and family centered and I believe that counselling needs to be a collaborative process in order for it to be successful.
I completed my undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Care in 2002 from Malaspina University-College (now called Vancouver Island University) and my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology in 2006 from the University of Victoria. Upon completion of my MA, I worked with the Provincial Government on the Victoria Child and Youth Mental Health Team. I began my work on this team as a practicum student and continued on as a mental health therapist for another 3 years.
In addition to my degree course work, I have a certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and have taken additional training in attachment therapy, anxiety management, play therapy, art in therapy, suicide risk assessment, and grief and loss. The majority of my work has been with children, youth and families. I have worked with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, relationship issues, family conflict, substance misuse, loss and grief, self-harm, identity, and trauma. I have also worked with many parents regarding parent-child conflict, communication, family of origin issues, and attachment.
My family and I have returned to Nanaimo and I have decided to move into private practice so that I am able to continue working while remaining the primary caregiver for our young son.
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