Counselling & Consulting
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Cole Levitt
BEd, MEd, CCC
Cole’s career has been as an elementary educator, child and youth mental health clinician, and clinical counsellor. Specifically, he has experience as a behaviour specialist which has provided him with unique insight into children who use their behaviour as language, often instead of their words. The foundation of Cole’s work is based on the assumption that when people experience suffering, it is common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, sad, or confused about what to do. It is at this place that he can be helpful by engaging in meaningful conversations, and contributing to change.
Cole’s passion, and the concentration of his practice, is around supporting children and families who are navigating high stress, concerning behaviours, and family conflict. He works closely with children who are exhibiting high levels of anxiety and those who have a history of traumatic experiences. Cole’s services include individual sessions, family therapy, and educational group therapy.
Cole is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and he earned his Master’s Degree from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
Elyssa Krutop
BA-Psyc, MEd, RCC, CCC
Elyssa's experience and area of concentration includes working with individuals who are struggling with occupational trauma, PTSD, substance use, grief, and anxiety. Recognizing the connection between people and the environment in which they live is essential to Elyssa's practice. Elyssa is available to work with individuals and couples, and she offers a flexible schedule when needed.
Elyssa uses a client centered approach as a foundation for her work. Elyssa is trained and certified in EMDR, DBT, CBT, and Trauma counselling. Elyssa works extensively with people in high risk occupations such as, first responders, corrections, nurses, and is an approved provider with Medavie Blue Cross for work with Veterans. She finds success in supporting people through traumatic or stressful workplace incidents using various approaches. Elyssa has training and understanding in the complexities within organizations and systems and recognizes the frequency that employees are expected to make changes within themselves when perhaps the problem lies within the system.
Elyssa provides a non-judgemental and caring style of counselling for every person that enters the office. Elyssa also offers online and telephone counselling sessions.
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Ken Ellis
BA, BEd, MEd, CCC
Ken’s experience and specialization includes working with families and individuals diagnosed with ASD, and those who struggle with anxiety and depression. Ken’s son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of six, so he has devoted much of his professional development and energy toward learning techniques that aid in coping with autism and associated comorbidities. He has also helped clients with a variety of issues including, but not limited to: anxiety, trauma, and depression.
Ken has been an elementary and middle school educator for more than twenty years and has been counselling individuals and families in the Merritt area since 2014. He has a genuine rapport with youth and enjoys working with them and their families. He enjoys working with families learning new skills, techniques, and ways of being that allow them to face the challenges that are a part of every-day life by building resilience and strength.
Ken is a Canadian Certified Counsellor who earned his Master’s Degree from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. His approach leans heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but he looks to incorporate effective techniques from other approaches. He is certified in David Burns’ TEAM Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He has studied the modification of CBT techniques for work with autism with Cara Marker Daily. He is a certified provider of Autplay Therapy and of Pivotal Response Treatment and has begun training in order to become a DIRFloortime® provider.
If you would like to talk with Ken to see if his services are right for you, or your family, please reach out to kellis@alignedcounselling.com with contact information and the best time to reach you.
Ken is currently offering telephone and video counselling sessions a few evenings per week as well as on weekends.
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Urszula Zawadzka
BSc-Psyc, MSc-Psyc, MA, RCC, CCC
“I believe that counselling is a collaboration between a client and a therapist. I provide a caring, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings. I believe that everyone has a potential to excel, but sometimes through different life experiences, we lose sight of our abilities.”
Urszula’s experience includes working with trauma, anxiety, depression, self-doubt, relationship issues, addictions, as well as high performance, stress and workload management, dealing with pressure and motivation. Urszula holds a Master’s in Counselling as well as a Masters in Psychology of Sport and Performance. She assists her clients in overcoming obstacles in order to achieve their potential, live productive lives, improve their relationships, and gain the confidence needed to achieve their goals. In her counselling work Urszula applies a client centred approach, and uses CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Brief Solution Focused Therapy. She also applies the principles of Feedback Informed Therapy to ensure that the sessions meet clients’ goals and expectations.
Sierra Haw
BSc, BEd, MEd, RCC
It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will all experience stress in one of its many
forms. Difficulties with relationships, jobs, loss, health, trauma and even the relentlessness of a
fast-paced lifestyle can lead us to feel overwhelmed and even helpless. Our bodies are designed
to allow us to cope with the typical stressors that we come up against in daily life.
Unfortunately, the systems we use to manage challenges sometimes become overwhelmed or
fail to function in an optimal manner, this can lead to symptoms that can be difficult to manage
alone.
Counselling provides a collaborative relationship in which challenges can be explored in a way
that feels safe and supportive. Sierra uses a client-centered approach as the foundation of her
work, and believes that we all contain within ourselves the resources needed to make
meaningful change in our lives. Through counselling clients can begin to understand the
connection between their biology, psychology, relationships and behaviours. Sierra utilizes her
understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and interpersonal neurobiology to
support clients in integrating their experiences so that they can experience more fulfilling
relationships and balanced lives.
Sierra’s practice involves working with clients who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression,
self-doubt, relationship issues and trauma. She has worked across the span of the education
system for the past eleven years as a classroom teacher, inclusive education teacher, behaviour specialist and counsellor and is a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC).
Sierra is currently only working with adult clients and offers evening and weekend sessions. She
is available for phone, video and in person appointments.
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Jeff Goodrich
BA, MEd, RCC
My goal is to meet my clients in a way that is comfortable, non-judgemental and above all else,
authentic. My approach is integrative: based on my formal training, my experience, and most
importantly – the empathy that I hold for my clients. I care about your story and I believe that
every person needs and deserves to be heard and supported. In my mind, the client comes first
and my approach or method comes second – I’m there for you.
My educational background reads like this -- BA (English/PE) from Trinity Western, PDP teacher
training from Simon Fraser University, and M.Ed. (Counselling) from University of Northern BC.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC (#16856).
I’ve worked for over 25 years as a teacher and counsellor in the public school system working
with students from K to 12. In addition, the past few years have seen me working for a private
counselling agency in Northern BC that handles a wide variety of clients – individuals, couples
and families. I must admit I have a particular interest in working with couples. Honestly, I feel
that there is no issue or situation that I would shy away from. If it matters to you, then I
embrace the challenge of working toward solutions – for you.
I enjoy seeing motivated clients take strides toward fulfilling their potential. With a lifelong
involvement in exercise and sport, I've also developed a keen interest in what motivates
individuals and groups to reach their potential – we all have the capacity to move forward and
to grow.
I’ve just recently moved to the Kamloops area after living for a long time in Northern BC. My
wife and I have been married for over 30 years, and we have three adult children. In my spare
time I enjoy exercise, reading and spending time with family.
Kim Geoghegan
BEd, MACP, CCC
Kim has over 20 years of experience as an elementary educator and a passion for working with youth and their families. Today’s youth face many challenges that can impact their mental health and well-being. Kim welcomes the opportunity to work with individuals and families to improve overall functioning, build on strengths, develop skills, and navigate difficult times. She offers support in a variety of areas including anxiety, stress, depression, relationships, self-esteem, Autism, ADD/ADHD, coping skills, behaviour, addiction, family conflict, school issues, and trauma.
Kim understands the importance of developing a trusting, non-judgemental, supportive therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, understood, and respected. Working from a client centered, collaborative approach she can help you explore your challenges, strengths, and opportunities for growth. Kim is committed to providing her clients with a meaningful, evidence-based therapeutic experience that meets their individual needs.
Kim is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who earned her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. She offers in person, video, or telephone appointments. Call 250-571-4048 or email kgeoghegan@alignedcounselling.com if you are interested in a free consultation.
Kirsten Flinn
BA, BEd, MACP
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Kirsten is a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology practicum student bringing the most current counselling tools and techniques to her therapeutic relationships. She is able to offer counselling at reduced rates to service those who could not otherwise access psychotherapy.
Kirsten has been involved in education and teaching since 2010, and has spent the last six years as an inclusion teacher working with youth with attachment disorders, neurodiversities, behaviour and communication challenges, trauma, and anxiety. She is mindful to bring a compassionate, calm energy to her work, and employs an integrative and adaptable framework to her collaboration with clients, knowing each person has their own unique needs. She is guided by a trauma-informed approach, integrating cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative therapy, and person-centered modalities to her work.
Kirsten is offering in-person, online and telephone counselling sessions to children over 10-years old, youth and adults.
