Gregory Vaal

Many people seek counselling when stress, trauma, or difficult relationships begin to feel overwhelming. You may feel stuck in patterns that are hard to change, weighed down by past experiences, or simply exhausted from carrying too much responsibility for too long. Counselling can provide a structured and supportive space to better understand these struggles and begin developing healthier ways forward.

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent nearly 30 years working in emergency services as an Advanced Care Paramedic and as a 911 call-taker and dispatcher. Through this work, I witnessed firsthand how high-stress experiences can affect individuals and their families over time. This background gives me a strong appreciation for the emotional realities faced by people working in demanding professions, and I have a particular interest in supporting first responders, healthcare professionals, and others in high-pressure roles.

My counselling approach is practical, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I draw from evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other trauma-informed approaches. Together we work to identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, develop skills for managing difficult thoughts and emotions, and strengthen the internal and external supports that help people move toward meaningful change.

Clients often seek support for concerns such as trauma, anxiety, depression, workplace stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. Some clients come to therapy after a specific difficult event, while others come because long-standing patterns in their lives are no longer working for them. In either case, counselling can help bring greater clarity, resilience, and direction.

I work primarily with adults and offer both in-person and virtual counselling sessions. My office is located in downtown Kamloops in a quiet, comfortable setting that provides privacy and easy access to nearby parking. Virtual sessions are also available for clients throughout British Columbia who prefer the flexibility of meeting online.