Personal Counselling

• Are you in private practice? Yes
• Do you participate in any insurance plans? Yes
  It is the responsibility of the client to check with their employer to see if they have insurance coverage.
• Do you offer sliding scale/reduced fee counselling? No
• Telephone/Video counselling: Yes (FaceTime, Zoom)
• Language/s Spoken: English, some French
  
  

What kind of clients do you work with?

I work with clients who are interested in self-knowledge and personal growth, and who are open to change.

At this time, my practice is comprised of people from their mid-20s to 70s. All are looking for direction in their lives and want clarity regarding their identity, gifts and values, often extending to their personal relationships. All are open to a spiritual dimension in their lives.

Message from Therapist

At this time in my career, I have found my counselling and spiritual direction training to be complementary. However, I understand if someone prefers to focus exclusively on counselling.

Bio

Virginia worked as a teacher in an aboriginal fishing village for one year; she taught and counselled for seven years in an alternative school. She spent seven years with the Ministry of Children and Families as both a Family Counsellor in a short-term residential centre for teens and as a Childcare Counsellor for parents and children of elementary school age.
She was employed as a teacher-counsellor at St. Patrick Secondary for 30 years, working with teens in crisis.

While at St. Patrick’s, Virginia served as Counselling Department Head and coordinated a Peer Counselling program for over twenty years. As a member of the Religion Department, she organized four pilgrimages: two to Mexico with the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and two to New York, which focused on spiritual growth, service and social justice.

Virginia completed two years with the Haden Institute in North Carolina, including four internships at the Carmelite monastery at Niagara Falls, where she attained a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

She has also completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

Virginia is married and has three adult children and two grandchildren. Her background is Franco-American.

Credentials, Training, Qualifications

• Bachelor in English
• Masters in Ed. Counselling Psychology, UBC
• Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Haden Institute
  
  

Expertise

I have an expertise in Narrative therapy, Person-centered therapy and Gestalt therapy with a particular focus on “Dream Work.” I also have expertise facilitating spiritual growth while addressing counselling issues.

Counselling Methods Used

I believe in active listening and empowering the counselee. I approach counselees with unconditional positive regard, specifically a non-judgmental attitude. I think it is important to challenge the dominant narrative, the set of assumptions about an issue that have become so ingrained that they appear to represent “reality.”

Inclusion of this counsellor on our website does not imply that the RCAV has endorsed the efficacy of a treatment, therapy practiced, or any other service offered by the private professional counsellor. We have verified that the counsellors on our website are registered professional counsellors. Each counsellor has informed us that they are Catholic or a practicing Christian from another tradition and will support clients that want to adhere to the Church’s teachings in the area of life, marriage and family. We cannot guarantee that you will be satisfied with each therapist, as there are many factors that influence therapeutic compatibility. It is solely your responsibility to find out whether a therapist possesses the qualities that are most important to you. We suggest that you take the time to ask the therapist any questions that you might have, to ensure both of you are comfortable and are a good fit with the therapist.