My name is Leona Westra, a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Surrey, British Columbia, who specialized in chronic pain, trauma and emotional neglect. In addition, I work with various forms of chronic stress, depression, anxiety, nervous system dysregulation, abuse, grief, chronic illness, disabilities or limitations, and other emotional distress.
I Became a Counsellor Because I…
- Love to help people and want to see less pain in the world.
- Believe that people should have a place where they can be honest about their pain and suffering and feel heard and seen.
- Believe that understanding and knowledge can bring significant change and healing.
- Believe people should feel free to embrace the essence of who they are and reach their full potential.
- Want to help people with experiences of trauma, chronic pain, and emotional neglect due to my own lived experiences.
It’s Not Easy…
Reaching out for counselling can bring feelings of anxiety and vulnerability. It can be intimidating to open yourself and your struggles to someone else, and that’s normal. For that reason, from the beginning, I strive to create a welcoming and nonjudgmental space where we focus on your needs and goals for therapy. Above all, we can start at a comfortable pace based on your needs and experiences.
My Approach as a Therapist
I have an honest, empathetic and collaborative style to explore, understand and bring awareness to the underlying causes of your current challenges. I am flexible, patient and responsive to challenges that come up as you are healing in therapy. Ultimately, I would love to see the growth in you as you find healing, discover new insights, and move towards a more meaningful life.
I bring a vast knowledge of trauma, chronic pain, and emotional neglect. Additionally, I am able to bring understanding to how your life experiences have contributed towards your struggles and what can be done to bring healing and change into your life. I use strategies that harness the power of your brain and nervous system to create lasting change in your life. I focus on using the strategies that will most effectively work with your challenges while respecting your needs, values, and personality in therapy.
Focused on You
I believe that you have a natural strength, courage and ability to grow, change and find healing for yourself and your experiences. It doesn’t matter what you have done or what you have experienced. Your past only defines where you started. I bring patience, compassion, and encouragement to propel you on your healing journey because I believe you have it within you to find the healing that will enable you to reach your full potential.
We can work together to develop a plan and goals that reflect your experiences and where you are on your healing journey. Ultimately, we can focus on planning a path from from where you started to your future goals.
Meeting You Where You’re At
You may be coming to therapy from a place of vulnerability and struggle, or with a determination to find healing and overcome your challenges.
We can start from wherever you are and build from that. We will focus on bringing you healing at a pace that is right for you.
Building Your Future
I strive to ensure you feel understood and heard as we work together to bring healing to your life. I’ll provide knowledge, skills and techniques as needed to further your understanding of your struggles, promote healing, and get you to a better place. As we work together, I desire to see you achieve your goals and be able to embrace the essence of who you are.
My Education and Qualifications as a Counsellor
I am a member in good standing with the British Colombia Association for Clinical Counsellors (BCACC #19052), EMDRIA, and EMDR Canada.
I received my Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University, a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology) from Athabasca University, and a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion from Humber College. Additionally, I Have a certificate in Professional Aromatherapy.
Throughout my education, I have focused on learning about the many aspects that impact wellbeing and what can be used to facilitate healing.
Certifications
- EMDR Basic Training Personal Transformation Institute
- San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training – Core ICS Mental Health Provincial Health Services Authority
- Pain Foundations for Allied Health Professionals Pain BC
- Introduction to Trauma Exposed Professionals Warrior Health Canada
- Pain Reprocessing Therapy Level 1 Pain Reprocessing Therapy Institute
I Am Trained And Have Experience With the Following:
- Chronic Pain
- PTSD, Complex PTSD, and other Trauma
- Grief and Loss
- Polyvagal Theory
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
- Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)
- Parts Work, including Internal Famiily Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Somatic trauma therapy approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy & Somatic Experiencing
- Emotional Abuse, Emotional Neglect, and Developmental Trauma
- Domestic Abuse, Narcissistic Abuse, Antagonist Relational Stress, and Pathological Love Relationships
- Dissociation-Related Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Moral Injury
- Substance Use Disorders, Disordering Drinking, and Addictions
- Suicide
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Career and Future Planning
You can find some details about some of the trainings and education I’ve had here.
I Can Also Be Found At:
Facebook: Facebook
Instagram: Leona Westra (@leona_counselling) • Instagram photos and videos
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/leona4052/
Psychology Today: Leona Westra, Counsellor, Surrey, BC, V3W | Psychology Today
Therapy Owl: Leona Westra | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Surrey, British Columbia, V3W 1N6 | TherapyOwl
EMDRIA: Leona Westra – EMDR International Association (emdria.org)
Counselling BC: Counselling Surrey: Leona Westra MCP RCC | Counselling BC
BCACC: Leona Westra – BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (bcacc.ca)
