Laura Vander Steen
Areas of practice
- Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Brain Injury
- Compassion Fatigue
- Grief and Loss - General
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Trauma Counselling
Approaches used
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- EMDR
- Internal Family Systems
- Mindfulness approaches
- Narrative Therapy
- Online / Virtual
- Somatic Experiencing
Counselling practice website:
www.mendcounselling.comPractice information:
Your body and mind communicate clearly when something has been overwhelming. So many experiences can knock you off kilter and effect how we feel. You have likely landed here because your symptoms have become intrusive. Maybe they are interfering with your work, your parenting or just how you can get through a day. Anxiety, panic attacks and anger are hard to ignore but what about the more subtle signs? Strained relationships, feeling numb, avoidance, disconnection and irritability also have a huge impact in your life. What might it be like to wake up and feel okay? To be able to handle the day ahead and feel at peace and connected with others? I suspect, like all of us, you deeply want to experience joy, wholeness and hope, regardless of your past.
Although I see people with a variety of concerns, I have extensive clinical experience and/or specialized training in;
- Toxic relationships & Intimate Partner Violence
- Caregiver Burnout
- Anxiety & Panic
- Depression
- Traumatic Grief and Loss
- Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury and other Neurological diagnosis
- Medical, Vicarious and Childhood Trauma
I live with my partner and two weird and wonderful kids in North Vancouver. I’m a registered Master’s level social worker with 15 years experience counselling people in acute crisis & grief. My family is filled with psychotherapists and yes, Thanksgiving was fascinating! Being around my family’s passion for people and my own experiences inspired my focus on human stories and resilience.
In my off hours, I produce and host a podcast about our brains called I lobe you. In its 4th season, it showcases my love of people and survivorship. It is suggested listening by Sameyou.org, Emilia Clarke’s organization for brain injury and The Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Foundation the number one location for resources and information for this rare disorder.
In session you can expect to feel fully heard without judgement. I’m told I create connection and put people at ease quickly. Although I offer concrete research based approaches, one of the most profound experiences we can have is to be truly understood and seen.
Hunting for a therapist is hard. All those headshots & therapy jargon. Getting along with your therapist is important. My clients tell me they feel at ease and that I create connection quickly. Take advantage of a free 20 min consult and see if we might be the right fit for each other and your goals. I look forward to meeting you!
Post- Graduate Advanced Training
Leading Edge Seminars: Integrating EMDR into your practice (EMDRIA certified course) (40 hours)
Institute for RRT: Rapid Resolution Therapy training (40 hours)
Wilfrid Laurier’s Continued Learning: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (12 weeks)
CTRI Institute: Resolving effects of PTSD (8 hrs)
School for Narrative Therapy: Narrative Therapy Essentials (40 hrs)
Justice Institute BC ‘Conflict Resolution’ ( 21 hrs)
CCRS course ‘Psychosocial care in the end of life’ (8 hours)
Client fee individuals:
150Availability:
| MonMonday | TueTuesday | WedWednesday | ThuThursday | FriFriday | SatSaturday | SunSunday | |
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| MorningAM | Available | Available | Available | Available | |||
| AfternoonPM | Available | Available | Available | Available | |||
| EveningLate | Available | Available |