Paula de Wit

You deserve to live your best life. I’m here to help.

Life is uncertain. Relationships are hard. Workplace dynamics can be stressful. Families can be dysfunctional.  Aging gracefully is sometimes easier said than done. And past traumas can hold us back from a future of possibility.  When you find yourself facing feelings, events and issues that are preventing you from living your best life, it’s OK to ask for some help.  I’m committed to creating a safe and supportive space for my clients and invite you to book a free, 15-minute consultation to see if we might be a fit.

Education & Training

I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). I am bound by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellor’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice.

In addition to my graduate work in counselling, I have been trained in a number of evidence-based modalities that are proven to be effective, so I take an integrative approach to counselling which may include:Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory; Mindfulness; Compassion-Based Therapy; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy; and, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Philosophies & Approach to Counselling

First and foremost, I take a client-centred, humanistic approach to counselling. I see you as the expert of your own life and I encourage you to draw from your existing strengths and capabilities. By supporting you to tap into your inner resources, your capacity for growth and change emerge.

I also bring a feminist ethic of care to my work. As humans we are inherently relational beings, and the human condition is one of interdependence and connectedness. I believe that healing takes place through relationship. By establishing a deep therapeutic connection and listening, attuning, and responding to you in a supportive, non-judgemental way, my hope is that you will begin to feel better after the first conversation.

Finally, I am deeply committed to social justice and take an anti-oppressive stance in my work. I will call-out injustice and power imbalances when these are contributing to the problem.

Additional Experience & Personal Life

In my early years, I found purpose in working with older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia causing illnesses. Separate from my private practice, I provide counselling services to older adults in an independent-living retirement community on a contract basis and to clients living in long-term care. I also serve as a volunteer counsellor to men coming out of the federal prison system.

Outside of my education and training in the field of counselling, I draw from a wealth of life experiences.  Extensive travel and years living abroad have provided me with a deep appreciation for different cultures and people from all walks of life.  Prior to pursuing a career in counselling, I worked as a teacher, policy advisor, office manager and restaurant manager.  In my personal life, I enjoy photography, social/cultural documentaries and biographies, exploring nature and spending time with my family and friends.