Hello, I’m Arran

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by my website.

While you will likely get the best sense of who I am and how I work by meeting me in person, I hope these words provide some insight beforehand. Seeking the right counsellor can be quite the task and telling people your story, especially if you’ve had to repeat it, can be exhausting! Please note: I require a free 15 minute consultation before booking any appointments.

What Brought me to Counselling

I became a counsellor because being a kid and growing up was really hard. I have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), less commonly diagnosed in girls back in the 90s. I struggled in school because it took me a very long time to learn things and process information; some call this a learning disability, but I think of it as just having a different brain. I am also a very sensitive person and I found schools generally overwhelming: there was so much going on and I was kind of an odd duck. Being a kid seemed unnecessarily difficult and I couldn’t see how things were ever going to improve solely with the passage of time. The world just seemed too big and too complicated. While I struggled with anxiety and depression as a child, being a teen was far worse. Amid the social complexities of highschool, I was attempting to figure out the purpose of all the suffering, and on top of that, what I wanted to be when I grew up: it took me a long time to find my answer!

I believe one of my biggest strengths is remembering what it’s like to be little; I have not forgotten the determination and resilience it took to get through adolescence. The struggle was made easier with support from friends, family, and counsellors: some helped, and some not so much. Usually the counsellors who seemed more human were easier to trust which meant I felt at ease. Counselling is all about relationships and kids and teenagers are especially adept at sniffing out pretense. At the age of 8, I remember asking one therapist why she was “talking to me weird, like the way people talk to kids on TV” because she was speaking to me like I was a child, instead of a person. Needless to say, I didn’t see her for very long, but I always remembered how that felt - to be seeing someone for help and they couldn’t begin to see me for who I was. And to be clear, I was an open book as a kid: “here I am…and here’s what I think!” That experience still informs how I want to be, both personally and professionally. I believe people deserve compassion, respect, and patience, regardless of who they are. It doesn’t hurt to have a sense of humour either! I’ve always been able to laugh and find the silver lining.

I hope that through our time together we find a way to make the journey a little easier, maybe even enjoyable.

My Background

Education

Masters of Counselling Psychology - Adler University 2016
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Concordia University
Bachelor of Arts in English Cultural Studies -  McGill University
I completed two practicums in Vancouver BC,  training specifically in Bowen Family Systems as well as eclectic approaches (CBT, Feminist, Mindfullness, DBT, Client-centered).
EXPERIENCE
Before recently opening my private practice in Cumberland, I worked as a Child and Youth Mental Health Counsellor at a non-profit in Mackenzie BC and then later for the government in Campbell River. 
I have completed training in Connect Parenting and Circle of Security, and am working towards completing my certification as a Sandplay therapist through CAST (Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy).

My Approach

While I am foundationally client-centered, my work is grounded in understanding our nervous system. Polyvagal theory is a lens which allows us to increase our awareness of our nervous system states - think fight, flight, freeze, safety - so we can learn methods to more easily move between them. Using sandplay, play, mindfulness, and movement you will be invited to explore ways to regulate your nervous system. I also use music developed by Dr Steven Porges, the creator of Polyvagal Theory, called the Safe and Sound Protocol, that facilitates calming the body and mind.

We have a tremendous ability to both be soothed by and soothe others, whether they be people or any living thing. Understanding co-regulation - the reciprocal sending and receiving of signals of safety - whether we are in the presence of other people, animals, or nature, is a large part of my approach. While co-regulating is a crucial part of parenting, all of us benefit from both, learning about it and practicing it, as we are constantly around other nervous systems! Together, we will find ways for you to reconnect with yourself, loved ones, and nature, to foster an increased feeling of safety in your body and life.

More About Me

I Wholeheartedly Embrace ALL Things Kooky!

I moved to Vancouver Island BC, in 2019, from Mackenzie to work in Campbell River, but I am originally from Vancouver. I love animals, especially dogs, and I have a big black golden doodle (yes I know, that isn’t very golden!) with whom I spend a lot of time in the forests and on the beaches of the Comox Valley. Monty is a goof and loves carrying huge logs! I have a strong connection to water, especially the ocean, and I find myself most at peace when I am near it. I also love art and interior design and am working on making my green thumb ever more green: There’s no such thing as too many plants! I am a foodie and love to cook, eat, try new restaurants, and generally share food with people. How we break bread together matters! I do practice yoga and get immense satisfaction from lifting heavy things at the gym. I am also a lover of movies and TV shows so I hope I’ll be able to catch the odd pop-culture reference you could make in session.

I must confess, I am not a mountain biker, but I can certainly understand the passion for the sport and appreciate that it gets our community moving and breathing in our forests. We all need to spend more time outside! Much of my approach to counselling centers around our connection with nature. Being outdoors helps us be present and makes it easier to connect to both ourselves and other living things. I look forward to getting to know you :)