Practice information:

Christy Arsenault is a seasoned therapist with extensive experience in a variety of settings. She excels in working with teens, young adults and adults with each group requiring unique approaches for their differing stages of life.  She believes in the ability for individuals to learn new strategies for coping and brings to each session a sense of optimism and positivity.  She is trained to facilitate Adlerian STEP parenting groups and is passionate about working with family systems providing support and education based on the principles of Alfred Adler.  The topics she most often sees in her practice are trauma, grief, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sexual abuse, parent-teen conflict, LGBTQ2+, ADHD, teen/adolescence issues and clinical supervision.  

Christy began her counselling career in 2008 at a non-profit agency working with a wide-range of issues and diverse populations.  Due to the serious nature of this community work, Christy has obtained training in evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, CBT and DBT.  With this non-profit experience and training, she became an Approved Clinical Supervisor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and now provides this service to colleagues and local non-profit and Indigenous agencies.  Christy has worked with marginalized clients and brings an anti-colonial, feminist lens to her therapy.  Christy remains concerned about the impact of colonialism on her clients and engages in continued diversity training and participating in community events that align with inclusion, equality and cultural sensitivity.

In 2014 Christy joined a Richmond private practice where she amalgamated all of her skills and knowledge into a successful part-time practice.  In this post-pandemic era, working with teens and young adults requires knowledge not only of unique developmental stages but also understanding career counselling, support for issues arising at school such as procrastination, academic issues, being savvy about current affairs and world politics, an ability to discuss existential concerns and philosophy, to be computer-literate, to understand social media and to be able to deliver all of these conversations in a manner that fits each individual’s learning needs.

Christy moved to Port Alberni (c̓uumaʕas) on Vancouver Island in 2021 but continued video counselling with her Lower Mainland clients enabling them to access consistent mental health services.    While video counselling remains an option, Christy notes the importance of face to face interactions in connecting with clients and chose to open an in-person practice in Port Alberni.   

 As I have two offices, please contact me so that I can let you know at which office I am currently able to see new clients in-person or by video.