We respectfully acknowledge that we are privileged to enjoy living on the unceded traditional territory of the K'ómoks First Nation, including the Pentlatch, Sathloot, Sasitla, leeksen and Xa'xe peoples, the traditional keepers of this land. 

Sarah Hoffman, RCC

About

It is an absolute privilege to hold space for clients' growth, and I deeply love the work I do.  It is my sincere hope that everyone who walks through my door feels truly seen and celebrated for their unique strengths, as well as deeply supported in navigating change and moving towards a life where they feel a genuine sense of self-worth, satisfaction and meaning.

Qualifications

• I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, and Bachelor of Art Degree’s in Sociology, Development Studies and Child and Youth Care Counselling. 
• Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy
• Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
• Internal Family Systems, (IFS)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trauma Informed Yoga and Movement
• TheraPsil Psilocybin Therapy
• Expressive Play Therapy
• Reiki

Jennifer Shillington, RCC

About

Personal healing is a complex and sometimes uncomfortable journey. It requires self-compassion and commitment. No one else can walk the road for you, but it is my role to support, to guide and work alongside you as you embark on this 'coming home' journey. 

I am a holistic, intuitive somatic counsellor in the Comox Valley. The compass that guides my work is the notion that we are our own healers and therefore sovereign agents in our innate healing. 

Qualifications

• Master's of Arts Degree in Counselling & Spirituality
• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, Carleton University
• ICF Coaching Fundamentals
• SAFER, suicide intervention and prevention
• San'yas Indigenous Cultural Training
• Two year Somatic Attachment training, Lisa Mortimore
• Ten days of Mindfulness Training, Yasodhara Ashram
• TheraPsil Psilocybin Therapy
• Nervous System Tune up, Irene Lyon

Julia Allen, RCC

About

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) living in the Cowichan Valley. I have been a counsellor for over 40 years.

I specialize in psychedelic integration, managing spiritual awakenings and encompassing transformation through transpersonal and archetypal experiences. Working in a variety of mental health capacities, my therapy focuses on depression, anxiety, altered state therapies, psychedelic integration, nature-relatedness, trauma resolution, mindfulness, and spiritual atonement.

I started The River Institute in 2019, as a school for spiritual counselling based on my two published books–  The River Books (2007) and Soul Catching: Discovering sacred connections in our environments (2017). 

In over 40 years of counselling, I have found the single biggest challenge clients is to have enough openness of mind to be willing and able to acknowledge their blocks and unresolved traumas. I find that altered state therapies create a state of entropy that is free from egoic defensiveness that allows a higher aspect of the psyche to emerge.

Qualifications

• Master's of Arts Degree in Counselling
• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology

Rhianna Walz

 

About

Rhianna has been supporting others as a grief tender since 2008. Taking her skills as an experiential guide and Educator she began to weave in plant medicine shortly after. It is a blessed gift for her to support others as they choose, or perhaps continue on, this sacred path. She brings the lived experience of her own journey, the deep healing power of having ones whole self welcomed, to be held, safe, seen and connected.