Diane Trapp Executive Director, M.A., B.Sc., RCC
Diane received her Masters in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, Vancouver campus in 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta since 1992. Diane has been a Registered Clinical Counsellor in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors since 2002. Areas of specialty for Diane are trauma (EMDR), depression, anxiety, spiritual connectedness, parenting, teens, couples, and financial challenges. Diane has experience working with Emergency Mental Health, Forensic Psychiatric Services, Child and Family Counselling Association, and in Private Practice since 2005.Diane has also worked with students in Private Schools as counsellor and house parent. To re-energize she enjoys taking time for hiking, gardening, playing music, sports, singing and laughing with family and friends.
Bruce Youngren Counsellor M.A., RCC
For 30 years, Bruce has been honored to host healing and helpful counselling conversations built on respect, compassion and a belief in each person’s inherent value and capacity to live their lives to the fullest.
He specializes in assisting with substance use disorders, workplace stress, critical incident stress management, work/life balance, grief and loss, elder and family caregiving, emotional upset of many kinds and developing an authentic, congruent and balanced life. His approach is encouraging and goal oriented. It is also addiction and trauma informed.
Together, we will explore patterns in your thinking, beliefs, behavior and emotions. Patterns that may be keeping you from more fully connecting to yourself, the world around you, the relationships that are important to you and a deeply meaningful inner life. When we reconnect to these things, we reconnect to our wellness, balance, and fulfillment. We are more likely to align ourselves with what matters most to us. Together, we will shape practices and behaviors that reflect and serve who you are and how you wish to live your life. We will identify what is already useful in your life and how to be intentional about it.
Over the years, clients say they appreciate Bruce’s kind, knowledgeable and authentic style. He would be honored to join you on your path of personal discovery, recovery and transformation. Bruce takes time to nourish himself with regular tai chi practice, ongoing personal and professional development and especially, quality time with family and friends.
Cindy Clark MEd. RCC
It has been a 30-year professional road -mostly travelled by supporting families in one aspect or another. It was from the broken-hearted stories of children that became my compass for choosing a career that remains dedicated to the support of Parents, Parent & Child Relationships, Children & Youth, Individual Adults and Couples. Some of the struggles that we have walked through together have been based on experiences in trauma, separation, regulation, life transitions, natural child & adult development, family conflict, and a wide range of mental health & wellness concerns.
It is with a caring heart that I sit with clients, curious in how they notice and care for their whole being and how that relationship with Self weaves its way into their relationships with the world around them. From Self-Awareness to Self-Compassion to Responsibility on through to Healing. This has become my therapeutic lens that I offer my clients in my practice. It has notes of Attachment, Mindfulness, Jungian, Strength based, and hopefully is always Body and Person Centered in its flow. My work with couples is a blend of those while integrated into the research from the Gottman Institute.
I have been in relationship with my partner for 34 years, together we have parented our two children into adulthood and been blessed with a granddaughter who continually reminds us of what is really important in this world. Much of my learnings and empathy have come from my own family experiences and challenges, it is from the struggles of my relationship with my two-year-old son that the Parenting on the Edge Project was formed, which has since been presented to hundreds of parents and caregivers over these past 20 years.
After a career dedicated to supporting families through non-profit agencies and MCFD contracts, I am delighted to be settling into a private practice that allows more room for balance and nourishment to myself, my family, and to my clients.
Heather Goodings M.A. CYC (in progress)
Heather received her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Vancouver Island University in 2016 and is currently completing the final requirements for her Masters of Arts in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. She is also a certified yoga teacher and clinical hypnotherapist. With this varied background, Heather combines client-centered, collaborative counselling techniques with mindfulness, breath work, and an understanding of the subconscious mind into an eclectic, holistic practice. She believes that we all have our own inner resources, thus endeavours to assist clients with discovering their inner knowledge, insight, and guidance. To stay grounded and rejuvenated, Heather spends a lot of time walking in the woods.
Leslie Stewart M.Ed., MC, RCC
Leslie recently graduated with a Master of Counselling and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. She offers a breadth of life experience, including a Master of Adult Education, prior roles in healthcare, the energy sector and human resources. Leslie completed her practicum placement in Counselling Services at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. While there, she regularly witnessed the strength and resilience of clients who were experiencing mental health challenges.
Leslie is interested in working with individuals who are navigating through life transitions (e.g. changes in relationships, new environments, parenthood, loss) that can lead to experiences of depression, anxiety, grief or even despair. She believes that these painful experiences help point us in the direction of what is truly important to us.
When working with Leslie you can expect to be met with authenticity, dignity and hope. She is privileged to walk alongside you on your journey toward your desired future.
Leslie rejuvenates by hiking, running, gardening, or chilling with her husband, two daughters and their yellow lab.
Yiana Belcher, B.A.A, B.Ed, MATCP, RCC
Yiana is a registered clinical counselor living on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations peoples. She is an artist, biodynamic gardener, budding woodworker, and former teacher in Ontario and British Columbia in public schools, an alternative school, and in the international Waldorf school community. As a volunteer in support of the living communities of eastern Ashtanga yoga master, Baba Hari Dass, Yiana helped for periods over three years to bring a caregiving initiative for seventy-six parentless children in northern India.
Yiana completed a master’s degree in Transpersonal Clinical Psychology, with a creative expressive therapy specialization, from Sofia University in Palo Alto, California. Following four hundred hours of practica working with couples, individuals, and families through the Cowichan Hospice Society, Cowichan Family Life, and Nanaimo Family Life, Yiana opened a private practice in 2017. In 2022 she contracted with the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees in Victoria, working with war traumatized children and adults.
Last year, Yiana released a two-book set, called “The Pearl and the Hut” series, for the care of children and adult children of divorce in light of western evidence-based psychotherapies, world consciousness and spiritual philosophies, and international Waldorf education and curative pedagogy. Her book-related work was recently presented at an international conference in Manitoba.
Yiana is a non-practicing member in good standing with the BC College of Teachers, a member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, and a member of the Anthroposophical Society of Canada.
Adam Layne M.A.
Adam received his Masters in Counselling Psychology in May of 2023 and is in the process of becoming accredited through both the CCPA and the BCACC. Prior to this, Adam studied business, political science, biology and psychology at the undergraduate level.
A mariner for over twenty years, Adam can connect with individuals from all walks of life and is a strong proponent of meeting the client where they are at through person-centered therapy; individuals are drawn towards their own self-actualization and the therapist is merely a guide in the process of self-discovery. Alongside this backdrop, Adam is drawn to mindfulness through meditation, the importance of personal narratives, and how early attachments inform the nervous system within relationship to the self, the other, and how we meet the world each day and over time.
Adam is interested in working alongside individuals from all backgrounds and is particularly interested in meeting those that are experiencing loss, anger, life transition, depression and troubles within their relationships. It is his hope that through working together life becomes easier, more enjoyable, and that the “here and now” of life gains new meaning and poignancy.
Adam pauses in life by finding the trails seldom trekked, camping in forgotten places, fishing the deep canyons of wild Vancouver Island and enjoying the company of friends and family over great food.
Lynne Woollam BA CYC, RPC, MPCC, SEP
With over 25 years experience meeting with a wide variety of people in the counselling field, Lynne has gained an understanding of life-span development and how we cope and find meaning in our lives. She brings a heart-centered presence to explore different pathways of insight.
Lynne draws from an interdisciplinary approach including recognizing the immense value of promoting body awareness. By moving into our own bodies, we connect to our innate intelligence and healing capacity.
With the lens as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and an Integrated Body Practitioner, Lynne has a trauma informed, relational, strength-based approach. She listens and supports individuals to develop awareness of boundaries, personal autonomy and creativity, healthy relationships and connecting with inner and outer resources. Her style may include gently guiding people to develop increasing tolerance for difficult body sensations and suppressed emotions. This helps to regulate nervous systems and gives a boost in self-awareness and confidence with the capacity to change and heal.
Lynne’s experience has included working with youth, parents, couples, elder and family care giving, people recovering from violence, addiction support, group work in parenting, anger awareness and healing circles.
Lynne values connecting with people from many walks of life, perspectives and cultures. Getting outside as much as possible, into the woods and near the water, supports her well-being. She finds joy in: watching young ones develop into their lives, singing (working on singing in front of others) and being with family, friends and grand-dogs.