Lenna Nakamura

I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a deep commitment to creating healing spaces that are grounded in respect, connection, and the belief that wellness includes all parts of who we are—mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. I have spent over 15 years in the helping field in various roles as a youth outreach worker, support worker, behaviour interventionist, lifeguard and instructor, counsellor, and more recently as a community recreation manager. 

My diverse experiences have provided me with valuable insights into working with individuals across all age groups, abilities, and life experiences. I am passionate about working with youth, as they offer a fresh perspective and are often open to exploring change with compassionate guidance and support. I am also deeply interested in expanding my knowledge of the unique challenges faced by public safety personnel, first responders, and frontline workers. Their role in supporting vulnerable community members during critical moments in their lives inspires me to continually deepen my understanding of their needs and the best ways to offer these essential workers support.

With a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Indigenous Studies, my approach weaves together Western therapeutic practices with a deep respect for Indigenous Peoples and their connection to the land. While I too share a very strong connection to the land, I will always have more to learn to understand what it means to have a connection to the land since time immemorial. I am a settler of Japanese descent, practicing on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. My work is grounded in cultural humility and guided by respect for Indigenous sovereignty and teaching.