
Carly Degenstein
Areas of practice
- Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Addictions - Including Substances
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Attention Deficit Disorder - ADHD
- Family Issues
- Grief and Loss - General
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Perfectionism
- Personal Growth
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Procrastination
- Professional Burnout
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Trauma Counselling
- Workplace Issues
Approaches used
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- ADD and ADHD Coping Strategies
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Communication Skills Training
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Emotion Focused Therapy
- Existential-Humanistic
- Internal Family Systems
- Mindfulness approaches
- Narrative Therapy
- Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling
- Somatic Approaches
Counselling practice website:
www.homecomingcounselling.comPractice information:
Welcome! And Hello :) I'm Carly - an RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) that's had the honor of working as a therapist for over 5 years now. I run a private practice that offers evidence-based, compassion focused therapy for the treatment and support of ADHD, Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, Depression + Burnout, Self Esteem struggles, and Post-traumatic stress. My approach is warm, accepting, sometimes funny, and genuinely caring. I'm also practical - I know 'just talking' isn't always enough - so I work with a focus on clarifying and translating your insights from therapy into real tools and opportunities for meaningful change in your life outside session. My approach integrates a blend of somatic and cognitive practices from DBT, CBT, ACT, sensorimotor, EFT and Narrative therapy.
I am based in Vancouver and run Homecoming Integrative Counselling as an online practice, through secure video appointments, with a range of daytime and evening availability. My priority is helping people across BC access the right therapeutic fit and expertise needed for their support with ADHD, anxiety, perfectionism, depression and post-traumatic stress, in a flexible, convenient way, regardless of whether or not you live in downtown Vancouver.
You do not need to have a specific diagnosis to work with me, although I am experienced in counselling individuals diagnosed with ADHD, Anxiety and Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Major Depression or depressive episodes, substance misuse, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also have specific experience and training for working with low self-esteem, identity and emotional regulation challenges related to emotional/psychological abuse and narcissistic injury.
I'm very open to working with people who are new to counselling. You don't have to know exactly 'what's wrong' to reach out to me- talking through what's been affecting you, or what you've been noticing, whether feeling off, hard on yourself or not your 'like yourself' are all valid places to start from. Whether you need a safe, understanding, and non-judgmental place to come talk about what's been bothering you, or you know what you are wanting to work on and just aren't sure what the right tools or next steps are for you - I'm here to help connect you to the clarity and assurance you need to be your most equipped and fulfilled self. This is what I see as coming home to yourself.
I work in a de-pathologizing way and believe that you are not your diagnosis, nor is effective therapy dependent on having a diagnosis. I work with client's current symptoms and difficulties, to create stability and reduce suffering. And I see your goals and life priorities as essential for determining your direction in therapy. I focus on your values and unmet needs, and help you contact your existing strengths, before we ask you to do anything different
I offer complimentary 20 min inquiry calls/consultations for new clients.
The best way to reach me is through email or the inquiry feature of my website. I typically respond within 1-2 working days.
First off, congrats on having rallied the strength to look for a therapist (I know it's not easy)! It might not seem like it yet, but this is a really meaningful step towards a brighter future for your mental health and you having a real and effective way to heal from what's been weighing you down, clouding your mind, or beating you up inside. Especially if you've been feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of how to move yourself toward less struggle or the life you really want for yourself. If this sounds like even some of what you've been going through, I want to help and am confident I can - that's why I do this. Because I've seen therapy change people's lives and I believe that every person has the capacity to heal from even their most painful experiences, difficulties and setbacks.
I have been worked as a counsellor in both public and private mental health practices for over 5 years, after graduating with an HBSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto (2013) with a focus on cognitive development and neuroscience and a Masters of Counselling Psychology (MA) from Simon Fraser University (2018). I incorporate a lot of my neuroscience background in my work, and for anyone's who's interested, I am happy to teach you more about how your brain and body connection works so you can better understand how your symptoms arise and how to use this wisdom to take better care of and take charge of your mental health.
I am passionate about the work that I do. I value my clients, and am continually amazed by the resilience I encounter. It is my mission to leave all clients who work with me with an experience of being understood and genuinely cared about. I truly believe and have seen through my years of practice, that when we are understood and provided with the tools to help ourselves discover our true potential and worth, that amazing healing potential can be unlocked for even the most difficult mental health struggles.
I'd describe my counselling approach as attunement primary. This means you feeling understood, seen and valid, not just for the struggles and concerns that may be bringing you to counselling, but for you as a whole person and where you are in your healing trajectory, is my core priority. I describe my therapeutic approach as integrative, because that's part of attunement. I considered myself particularly skilled at being able to adapt my counselling skills and techniques to various stages of the healing process, whether you are new to therapy and needing more guidance and direction or an experienced client that is looking for a counsellor to facilitate, but also meet you where you are and uphold your self-direction as part of treatment.
My approach is relational and underscored by anti-oppression values and a belief in the core resiliency of each human. No matter how many difficulties life may have handed you, you have an innate ability to heal and live from self leadership and self-security! My background in neuroscience leaves me equipped to help you believe in and understand this, even if you have struggled with self disbelief for a long time!
For those of you interested in the technical side of things, I use therapeutic techniques and strategies from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and compassion focused CBT (great for anxiety, and depression based concerns), somatic and mindfulness focused therapy (PTSD, addiction and anxiety) narrative and existential inquiry (depression, addiction and self esteem concerns). I also draw from practices from Internal Family Systems which is evidenced to support clients in healing from longstanding trauma based struggles, relationship and sense of self/self-worth struggles.
I know it can be easy to get lost in the acronyms and get bogged down trying to figure out what type of therapy would be best for you - I know this struggle can be real! I offer consultations that give you the chance for us to meet each other and talk human to human before you proceed with service, so that I can give you more specific feedback and introductory info on what approaches I would use with you based on what you've been going through and what may already be working/not working. You don't have to figure that out solely on your own - I very much believe in joining my clients in discerning the best course of action in your therapeutic treatment and offering my experience and guidance at each stage of the counselling process.
Feel free to reach out even if you just have questions. No question is too silly or small. You've got this :)
Specialized training:
- Body Oriented Trauma Counselling (Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute) -2022
- Compassion Fatigue Seminar (PESI) -2021 Working with Intergenerational Trauma via Internal Family Systems (PESI) - 2021
- Foundations of Narrative Therapy (VSNT) - 2020 Somatic Trauma and Telehealth Certification w Janina Fischer (PESI) - 2020
- Addiction Care and Treatment Certification (UBC eCPD Faculty of Medicine) - 2019
Client fee individuals:
$132 per session + GSTAvailability:
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