NATALIE MAXSON, INTERN COUNSELLOR

For most of my life, I have been fascinated by people’s stories. I treasure the privilege of getting to know someone’s journey and witness the ways they come to heal, grow and deepen into who they are. My role as a counsellor is to support, listen
and encourage you. I hope to provide a safe harbour in whatever waters you are navigating in your life by being an anchoring and steady presence.
 

In my previous professional life, I have done allyship training with groups around sexual and gender identity, racial discrimination, human rights and the impacts of colonization. My background in social justice education has taken me around the world to the front lines where people are struggling to defend their lives and land. As a parent and a queer/queer competent counsellor, I am deeply committed to anti-oppressive values and understanding each person’s unique experiences and worldviews.

I accompany people going through life transitions, those that have a hard time fitting in, feel lonely, or are searching for meaning in life, those experiencing grief, loss, depression, anxiety, including climate anxiety, religious trauma, chronic pain, burn out or the impacts of systemic oppression.
 

Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family, playing cards and reading. I dedicate myself to practices, such as walking, prayer and making art, to feel spiritually grounded and fully available to be present for others.

I bring an eclectic approach to counselling drawing on different therapeutic modalities such as existential, feminist, solution focused, mindfulness and narrative.
 

I am a student member in good standing with the BCACC. I am currently completing my internship for a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University.

Additional trainings include:
Solution Focused Therapy Level 1 and 2 with Assoc. for Psychological Therapies (UK)
Soul Guiding, 2-year spiritual direction training with Pacific Jubilee
SoulCollage facilitator training with SoulCollage Inc.
Champions of Change, creative indigenous-based leadership training with IndigenEYEZ
Transforming Trauma with James Finely