About Hilary
I completed a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and I am registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).I completed my counselling practicum on the mental health and substance use team at the Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke, BC.
I have volunteered with the Revelstoke Hospice Society since 2021 on the palliative care team, pals program, and for the Mount Cartier Court walking and manicures programs. I have completed an accredited End of Life Doula Course and am working towards becoming a registered member of the Canadian End of Life Doula Association.
I am a 200 hour registered yoga instructor, and have been practicing meditation and embodied movement for over 20 years. I teach accessible chair yoga at the Senior’s Centre each Tuesday at 1pm!
I have diverse interests including a deep love for music and dancing, travelling, exploring natural spaces, gardening, foraging, and a lifelong passion for snowboarding.
What led me to this work?
Turbulence and loss in my journey led me to this work. My own experiences with loss, betrayal, grief, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety have shown me depths of darkness and sorrow that at times cracked me wide open. Like Leonard Cohen said, the cracks are where the light gets in. I found that experiencing pain was an essential part of my growth, the ‘obstacles’ on my path were dynamic and wise teachers.
Seeking the help of a therapist during these times was profoundly helpful for me in working through them. Giving myself the permission to be vulnerable and imperfect allowed me to connect with life in a more meaningful way, forging deeper connections with friends and family, changing my career path, and tuning into my creative energy.
What is my vision?
Through my offerings in counselling, embodied movement, and end-of-life support, I envision nurturing a community where people from all walks of life are inspired to engage deeply with themselves and others, embracing vulnerability as beauty and strength. I aspire to promote a culture of compassion, curiosity, and openness.
What is my mission?
I am committed to creating a safe and nurturing space where clients feel seen, heard, and respected, fostering a deep connection to their ‘why’ and a sense of worthiness. I strive to bear witness to each client’s journey, offering individualized support to help navigate life's oscillations with grace and courage.
What is my counselling philosophy/style?
My counselling style is client centered, integrative, holistic, and non-pathologizing. I believe a strong therapeutic alliance is the foundation for growth, and view individuals as experts and meaning-makers in their own lives. I practice empathetic listening, a strengths-based approach, and empowering clients to make courageous choices.
With curiosity and compassion, I lean into working with people from all walks of life, specializing in life transitions, grief & loss, chronic pain, illness, death, anxiety, and depression. I practice respect-based therapy and a gentle/progressive approach to treatment that is guided by safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. I tailor my therapeutic approach to suit what makes you uniquely you, drawing on techniques including mindfulness, somatic practices, buddhist psychology, existential therapy, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and internal family systems.
In my practice, I strive to maintain a limited client base to ensure that I can provide personalized treatment and uphold a high standard of care for each client. This commitment to individualized attention aligns with my mission and vision, and underscores the essence of my practice.