Hello, I'm Chantell.

I believe healing begins when we no longer feel like we have to navigate life alone. My hope is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be fully yourself while feeling supported, understood and able to move toward making meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.

I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Psychiatric Nurse and EMDR-trained clinician with over 15 years of experience supporting people through trauma, addiction and life's many challenges.

My work has taken me from outreach in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to community and acute mental health services across BC & Nunavut to virtual private practice in both BC and Alberta.

I am located in ch’átlich (presently known as Sechelt), where I have the privilege of living and working on the unceded traditional lands of the shíshálh Nation. Being surrounded by the ocean, forests and mountains continually reminds me that healing, much like nature, unfolds in its own time. It isn't linear, but with safety, patience and care, growth is always possible.

Throughout my career, I've learned that while every person's story is unique, we all deserve compassionate, non-judgmental care that honours our experiences, our resilience and our capacity to heal.

How I Work

My background as both a counsellor and psychiatric nurse has shaped the way I understand mental health. I see wellbeing as something that is influenced by our nervous system, relationships, body, environment and lived experiences, not simply by symptoms alone.

I also know that healing isn't something we only learn about through textbooks. Like many people, my understanding of healing has been shaped not only by professional training, but also by my own lived experiences. Those experiences allow me to meet others with deep empathy, authenticity and hope, knowing that healing is possible even when it doesn't feel that way.

Because of this, my approach is trauma-informed, collaborative and grounded in curiosity and compassion. Together, we'll move at a pace that honours your nervous system while building the safety, insight and practical tools that support lasting change.

Rather than relying on a single therapeutic model, I thoughtfully integrate EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, somatic and nervous system-informed approaches and, at times, psychedelic integration therapy, to create care that is responsive to your unique needs.

Above all, I believe therapy is a relationship. My role isn't to have all the answers, but to create a space where you feel safe enough to explore yours.

A Little More About Me

Beyond the therapy room, I find restoration in nature, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection. My career has included clinical practice, teaching as a nursing instructor, and leadership within the mental health nursing profession. I currently serve as President of the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses and hold a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing.

I also live with ADHD, which has given me a personal appreciation for the many ways people think, learn, regulate, and experience the world. My own experiences with difficult seasons and healing have shaped the compassion and humility I bring to my work, reminding me that healing is rarely linear and that sometimes what we need most is to feel genuinely seen and met where we are.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me exploring the forests, beaches, and trails of the Sunshine Coast, spending time with my two fur babies, or seeking out experiences that foster community, joy, and belonging. I value travel, festivals, retreats, and the simple moments that invite us to slow down and be present.

At the heart of both my work and my life is a simple belief: healing grows through connection—with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. It is a privilege to walk alongside people as they reconnect with their own strength, wisdom, and capacity for healing.

Areas of Focus

My practice focuses primarily on supporting adults and couples navigating complex trauma and its impact on emotional wellbeing, relationships, and everyday life.

This may include trauma-related anxiety and overwhelm, attachment and relationship patterns, emotional regulation, addiction and substance use, and other challenges that can emerge in the context of trauma.

I also offer trauma-informed couples therapy for relationships where one or both partners have experienced trauma.

Values & Accountability

My practice is shaped by a commitment to ongoing learning, reflection, and accountability. I believe ethical care requires humility, curiosity, and a willingness to keep growing.

Reconciliation is an important part of this commitment. I recognize that meaningful reconciliation requires more than acknowledgment—it calls for continued learning, relationship, reflection, and action. I am committed to deepening my understanding of Indigenous perspectives on healing and wellness and how I can practice in ways that are respectful and culturally responsive.

As one tangible step, I donate 2% of annual profits from Grounded Connections to an Indigenous-led healing organization. Each year, I select an organization whose work aligns with community healing and wellness. Most recently, I supported the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.

I am also committed to providing LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, Indigenous, and neurodiversity-affirming care. I recognize that identity, discrimination, systemic oppression, and lived experience can shape mental health and wellbeing, and I strive to meet each person with cultural humility, respect, and without assumption or judgment.

This is ongoing work, not a destination. I remain committed to listening, learning, and reflecting on my practice so I can continue to offer care that is inclusive, thoughtful, and grounded in respect.