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Hey, I'm glad you're here.

I recognize just how much it can take to reach out for help.  Usually when people reach out, things have reached a "tipping point."  That's a pretty vulnerable place and

I respect that. 

Working with me, we will look at what's happening through a lens of curiosity and hope, leaving Judgement at the door.​​

Leanne Fessler (she/her, hers)

Registered Clinical Counsellor, MA RCC

It might seem odd to consider sharing about the personal details of your life with a perceived stranger, so it's fair to be curious about the person sitting with you "in the room."

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Connecting with others in a meaningful way has always fascinated me. Interested in making a career out of this fascination in my late teens, I began my journey anywhere they would allow a teen turned young adult to volunteer, work, or learn more about psychology, later beginning my career as a counsellor in 2005.  Working primarily as a Child & Family Therapist, I quickly realized how much working with adults reflecting on their childhood needs informed my work with children and their parents.  

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Along the way, life experiences and challenges have peppered and deepened my own understanding of what it means to be in a place of struggle and needing support.  That really RAW place?  Yes, I get that.  I've chosen to work and specialize in areas close to my heart and I can understand how close they are to yours.  And I'm delighted to watch change and growth in action - with you.

 

​​WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WORKING WITH ME

My approach seeks to use information, evidence and logic - balanced by art, expression and the body.  My training and practice reflects this balance.   I've been trained in the use of art, music, nature and creativity in therapy, along with strong evidence-based treatments.  This is important to me because it allows me to draw from a wide-range of possibilities in our work, per your comfort.  Underlying all of this, is the care I take  

whats different - you are not part of a machine

chosen to specialize to give you the best quality of care

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AREAS OF FOCUS / SPECIALTY​

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THERAPY MODALITIES​

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" me of the music quote

Water



Additional Info:

EDUCATION:

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Psychology, University of Lethbridge

MEMBERSHIP:

  • BC Association of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC)

  • Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) provider

TRAINING:

     Perinatal-Specific

  • Birth and Reproductive Trauma - Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Individuals and Groups; Perinatal Focus - IPT Institute

  • Bringing Baby Home Workshop for Couples - Gottman Insititute

  • Maternal Mental Health Professional Certificate Training - Post-partum Support International

  • Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Certificate - Post-partum Support International

  • Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Certificate - UBC

  • Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death Certificate - Maternal Mental Health Now

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    Trauma-Specific

  • Comprehensive Basic Training in EMDR Therapy - EMDR Center of Canada

  • Somatic Transformation 2- year program - Dr Sharon Stanley

  • TF-CBT for Children and Adolescents

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    Additional Training, Certifications, Workshops

  • Walk and Talk Therapy Certification- Cherry Tree Counselling

  • Music Integrated Therapy Certification (MIT) - Seabrook Music Therapy

  • Externship in Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy - Level 1 - Vancouver Centre For EFT

  • Satir Transformational Therapy Level 1 Part 1- Satir Institute

  • Expressive Arts, Play-based, Therapies (Marie-Jose Dhaese, Lynn Lyons, Lianna Lowenstein, Lisa Dion)

  • Changeways Depression Treatment Program - Dr. Patterson

  • Substance Abuse - Vancouver Community College

  • DBT Basics - Dr John Wagner

EXPERIENCE:

  • Private Practice Owner

  • Founder South Rock Perinatal Wellness Collective

  • Private Practice Associate 

  • UBC Counselling Services

  • Family Services of Greater Vancouver SAIP program, KITES bereavement group, RSVP school-based group program

  • CHIMO Community Services (CWWA program) and Nova Transition House

  • ​Internships: Alderwood Family Development Center; Practice of Ruth-Ann Stewart; Play Therapy Practice of Dr. Joanne Crandall

“I'm a testimonial. Click to edit me and add text that says something nice about you and your services. Let your customers review you and tell their friends how great you are.”

Jason

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