Practice information:

To all of you who feel weary, frightened, overwhelmed, alone: take refuge here. You are not alone. There is hope. Although the waves seem too rough, they can be calmed. Let’s navigate these storms together. I am Kathryn Atkinson and I want to provide you with a safe space to share your struggles, be truly heard, and understood. Together we will find ways to increase your resilience and climb those mountains that seem insurmountable or traverse those dark storms that seem unending.

I have been working in the field since 2010 providing clinical counselling to those impacted by mental health concerns.  I work with children, youth, individual adults, couples, families, and groups in my practice with an emphasis on providing services to those with Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy methods. I have specialized training to work with Autistic individuals and their families as well as other diverse abilities. My background is also in working with individuals with anxiety, phobias, tics, low mood, trauma, hoarding, impulse disorders, addictions, and life transitions. In addition to individual services, I provide professional consultation and clinical supervision to other registered counsellors and run an internship program for new counsellors.  I am an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).  I offer group therapy and workshops on many topics related to mental health.  I am the clinic owner and director of Island Clinical Counselling in Nanaimo, BC.

Areas of Focus:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders, Phobias
• Depression and depressive disorders
• Trichotillomania: picking and pulling disorders
• Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Trauma Therapy
• Couples Counselling/Relationship Issues
• Support for major life transitions, such as support to post-secondary students
• Stress Management
• Support for caregivers of and individuals with diverse abilities
• Spiritual Support
• Family Counselling

Education and Training:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia
• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the Adler School of Counselling Psychology
• Certificate in Clinical Supervision from the University of Ottawa
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-
• Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Habit Reversal (HRT)
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics and Tourette’s (CBIT);
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Informed Approaches
• Psychodynamic approaches
• Interpersonal Therapy for Depression
• Attachment Therapy
• Adlerian Therapy

Ages: all.