Emma Ferris

Emma Ferris

Counselling

Hello, I’m Emma, a Clinical Counsellor at Blossom Tree Counselling with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Counselling Psychology. I specialize in working with children, youth, and families, and I am the facilitator of our Friendship Groups. I also offer individual counselling for adults, with both in-person and online options available.

My approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed, creating a safe and supportive space for growth and healing. Whether you’re navigating life’s challenges as an individual or seeking support for your family, I’m here to help you on your journey.

Erin Todsen

Erin Todsen

M.A. CCC

Counselling

Erin is available for individual child, youth and family counselling. Erin practices from a Family Systems perspective, where each member of the family influences and is influenced by each other. Erin’s background includes a diploma in Early Childhood education, before she completed her Bachelors Degree in Child and Youth Care where she focused on attachment in relationships.

A client-centred approach informs her practice and she has twenty years experience in the field of supporting families.

Erin specializes in parent support and play-based therapies and is most interested in the unique needs of her clients.

Erin is also Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) certified to help clients of all ages process trauma and heal from attachment and relational fractures.

Erin’s own family dynamics have shaped her practice, as personally being a mother to her own children as well as experiencing being part of intact, blended and single parenting homes. You can anticipate Erin being honest and direct with you, while maintaining a positive connection. She can relate to the challenges families experience and it’s nice to know you can confide and consult with someone on issues that can usually be difficult to talk about. Family life is joyous and stressful and Erin is invested in helping you through your struggle.

Justine Birchell

Justine Birchell

Counselling

Hi, I’m Justine! I’m the current practicum student at Blossom Tree. I am currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, and have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Human Services Certificate.

I take a person-first, relational perspective to my work: I know that no matter what work we do together, the connection between us is what’s most important.

My history of working with children and youth spans over a decade; with four of those years being focused on mental health. I have previously worked with individuals who struggled with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, family conflict, and more. I have also worked with individuals with on the autism spectrum.

I’m thrilled to offer individual sessions for adults, as well as couples therapy sessions! I have my Gottman-method couples therapy Level 2, and am in the process of obtaining the full certification.

No matter what you’re going through, I’m here to help!

Kristen Buckland

Kristen Buckland

M.A. RCC

Counselling

Kristen has 20 years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals as well as at-risk children and families. She has facilitated many social-emotional groups, and worked 1:1 with children and youth addressing their social-emotional needs while working for the school district as a school based child youth support worker. Kristen is warm, empathetic, easy to connect to, and meets people where they are at. She works from a person-centred, strength-based persepctive and uses a trauma-informed lens within her practice.

Kristen completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University and completed her practicum at Blossom Tree Counselling. Her previous education includes a Bachelors Degree in Child and Youth Care, an Educational Assistant and Community Support Worker diploma, and many behaviour intervention courses.

She is a mother of two that credits her experience as a mother as the greatest (and most challenging) learning of all. Kristen believes that everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they have been given. She is excited to work with children, youth and families and is currently accepting new clients.

Megan Hunter

Megan Hunter

Counselling

Hi, I’m Megan H,

I believe that having a strong therapeutic alliance between the client and myself is the foundation to success in counselling. I take an individualized and holistic approach to therapy through modalities such as person-centred, humanistic, attachment therapy, solution-focused, somatic therapy, mindfulness CBT, and play therapy. My passion is to work alongside adolescents and adults, addressing anxiety, depression, ADHD, conflict in relationships, trauma, boundaries, and life transitions. I will work to establish trust, safety, and understanding with each client. You can expect to leave sessions feeling heard and empowered, with a renewed connection to self and/or the world.

Over the last decade, I have been passionate about amplifying my knowledge base which has led me to completing my Masters of Counselling Psychology, Psychology degree, Criminology diploma, Addictions certificate, Intuitive Healing certificate, Play Therapy certificate, and much more. Over the last five years I have worked with a diverse clientele through volunteer counselling with Nanaimo Family Life Association, working with the Ladysmith Resource Centre as a family and youth support worker where I worked closely with MCFD, CYMH, CYSN, and SD68, and completed my internship with Blossom Tree Counselling.

Megan Vandersluys

Megan Vandersluys

M.Ed RCC

Counselling

Welcome! I’m Megan, and I created Blossom Tree Counselling in 2017, with the intention to create a supportive place for children, teens and parents who are having a hard time with anxiety, mood, challenging behaviours and family transitions. Over the past several years I have also had many kiddos come my way presenting with concerns that result from their neurodiversity, whether they are 2E, have learning challenges, present with ADHD, or are highly sensitive. Some children and youth present with sensory processing concerns, along with other issues that come up with being differently wired. I practice Synergetic Play Therapy, an approach that focuses on helping to children to increase their interoceptive awareness (noticing what’s happening in their body), while improving their emotional awareness and their ability to self regulate.

As a step parent, I also love helping blended families process the challenges that arise from all the differing dynamics that are part of being in a blended family.

In addition to play therapy and working with step families, I support parents in healing their own losses from their childhood. As a Peaceful Parenting Educator, I truly believe that the hardest part of parenting is undoing the hardwiring we experienced during our own childhood. Understanding what triggers our reactivity with our own kids, where that came from, how it plays out in our relationships in our family, how to tame those triggers and break the cycle of authoritarian and shame based parenting. It is hard work making those changes but I truly believe it’s never too late to repair those relationships. Being certified in EMDR, I help clients process those past childhood memories that hold those negative, triggering reactions, so that we can heal those triggers and parent from a more empathetic and respectful place.

Natalie Goodall

Natalie Goodall

M.A. in Counselling Psychology

Counselling

Hello, I’m Natalie, a dedicated clinical counsellor with a rich background in counselling, psychology, and early childhood development. My academic journey spanned a decade, during which I immersed myself in the study of these disciplines, gaining a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health dynamics.

Having worked as a mental health support provider in rural communities on Vancouver Island, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the diverse needs and challenges faced by individuals in such settings. These experiences have instilled in me a commitment to fostering inclusive, warm, and accepting environments within my practice.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive principles. I firmly believe in the therapeutic power of cultural integration and strive to honor and validate the diverse cultural backgrounds of my clients.

Empowering young women is my passion, especially considering how challenging the teen years can be. For the past seven years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping them develop confidence and self-esteem, recognizing the unique struggles they face during this pivotal time in their lives. Through teaching self-defense across British Columbia, I empower women with strength-based techniques, fostering a sense of agency and empowerment as they navigate the complexities of adolescence.

In my counselling practice, I integrate attachment theory and emotion-focused approaches to provide holistic and personalized care to my clients. I recognize the importance of understanding relational dynamics and emotions in facilitating growth and healing.

With a compassionate and client-centered approach, I’m committed to supporting individuals on their journey towards mental wellness and personal growth.

Sheryl Murphy

Sheryl Murphy

Counselling

Hi, I’m Sheryl, and I’m a counsellor at Blossom Tree Counselling. I welcome adults and youth from all walks of life with an approach that is client-centred, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed.

My areas of focus include support through divorce and separation (including high-conflict divorce), co-parenting, family conflict, communication, blended families, and self-care. I also focus on supporting pre-teens, teens, and young adults navigate the challenges and stressors of school life, peer relationships, and transition to adulthood, many of whom are also learning to manage additional challenges like anxiety and ADHD. Growing up is hard, and today’s youth have so much to navigate with seemingly endless pressure from a fast-paced, complicated, and confusing world.

In sessions, the client leads the way. In many cases, clients just want someone to talk to in a world where nothing makes sense. Others want more specific help, like learning how to regulate when they feel overwhelmed, figuring out next steps in the confusing world of divorce, or learning new strategies for communicating with family members. Whatever your goals, I am in your corner. If you think we might be a good fit, I’m ready when you are.

At Blossom Tree Counselling we also love to work with blended families and step parents. Whether you are a stepmom or dad and feeling like you’re at the end of your rope, or maybe you feel like you have NO influence in your own home and are walking on eggshells all the time. You might find yourself starting to avoid your stepchildren out of fear of doing or saying the wrong thing.

Or maybe your relationship is getting serious and you’re not sure how all kids involved are going to handle the changes, how can we handle these transitions smoothly for everyone. And sometimes you feel bad, like you’re already put them through so much and you feel guilty for adding more and need help processing the decisions you’re faced with.

You thought you had this blended family thing down but now new problems have come up and you’re totally taken by surprise!As a step-mom and part of a blended family, I get that the dynamics of a step-family can totally be challenging for everyone!

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