Leanne Atkinson

Sometimes life just feels like a lot. Maybe you're overwhelmed, exhausted, constantly second-guessing yourself, or wondering why things that seem easy for everyone else feel so difficult for you. Maybe you've been holding everything together for so long that you're not even sure what you need anymore.

Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out.

I'm Leanne, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), and I work with adults, parents, and direct service professionals navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, ADHD-related challenges, difficult relationships, and life's many unexpected turns.

A little about me and my experience

I've spent much of my career working with children, youth, and families experiencing complex mental health challenges, trauma, grief, and loss. My experience includes supporting young people with significant emotional and behavioural needs, working alongside families during incredibly difficult circumstances, and providing clinical consultation and support to schools, professionals, and communities.

I've also supported individuals, families, and communities through times of crisis, tragedy, and significant loss. It's work that has taught me a lot about people, the importance of relationships, and just how differently we all cope when life becomes overwhelming. Sometimes there isn't a perfect thing to say or a quick solution. Sometimes what matters most is having someone who will listen, understand, and meet you where you're at.

These experiences have shaped the way I approach counselling. I have a particular interest in trauma, attachment, emotional regulation, ADHD, and executive functioning, as well as the patterns we develop over time to cope with difficult experiences.

What can we work on together?

• Anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmed
• Trauma and difficult life experiences
• ADHD, executive functioning, and emotional regulation
• Perfectionism, self-criticism, and people-pleasing
• Burnout, compassion fatigue, and workplace stress
• Parenting challenges and family relationships
• Boundaries, communication, and relationship patterns
• Grief, loss, and significant life changes

What is counselling with me like?

I'm warm, curious, practical, and pretty down-to-earth. I believe most people are doing the best they can with what they have, even when things aren't going particularly well. I'm interested in understanding what's happening beneath the surface, not just what someone is struggling with, but why certain things might be so difficult.

My approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and draws from evidence-based practices, including DBT-informed skills and cognitive behavioural approaches. I like helping people make connections between their experiences, emotions, and behaviours. And while understanding ourselves is important, I also believe counselling should give you something useful to take into your everyday life.

I'm not someone who's going to sit quietly nodding for an hour. I'll listen, ask questions, offer perspectives, and sometimes gently challenge you when I think it might be helpful. I also believe there's room for humour in counselling. We can talk about really hard things and still have moments where we laugh. Both can be important.

I don't believe there's one approach that works for everyone. What helps one person might not be right for another, and that's okay. We figure out what fits for you.

Supporting parents and direct service professionals

Having spent so many years working with young people and families, I understand how challenging parenting can be, particularly when a child is struggling emotionally or behaviourally. I help parents look beyond the behaviour, better understand what their child might be communicating, and find approaches that build connection while still being realistic for everyday family life.

I also have a real appreciation for the people working in direct service roles. When your job involves caring for others, managing difficult situations, and being the person everyone turns to, it can be easy to put yourself last. Sometimes it's nice to have a space where you don't need to be the professional, the problem-solver, or the person with all the answers.

Getting started

I offer virtual counselling throughout British Columbia, so you can connect from a private space where you feel comfortable.

Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, especially when you're not entirely sure what you want to say or where to begin. That's okay. You don't need a perfectly organized explanation or a list of goals.

We'll start with what's going on for you, have a conversation, and figure out where to go from there.