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
- Body Centred Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- EMDR
- Mindfulness approaches
- Narrative Therapy
- ONLINE / VIRTUAL / TELEHEALTH COUNSELLING
Counselling practice website:
www.mendcounselling.comPractice information:
Your body and mind communicate clearly when something has been overwhelming. A toxic relationship, a job loss, a serious accident, or even a lonely childhood. So many experiences can knock us off kilter and make it hard to feel our genuine selves.
You have likely landed here, because your symptoms may have become intrusive. Anxiety or anger are hard to ignore but what about the more subtle signs? Strained relationships, feeling numb, avoidance and irritability also have a huge impact in your life.
Besides a deeply compassionate and judgement free environment, we have several research based, concrete approaches we can use together.
Although I see people with a variety of concerns, I have extensive clinical experience and/or specialized training in;
- Anxiety & Panic
- Toxic relationships and domestic violence
- Traumatic Grief and Loss
- Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury and other Neurological diagnosis
- Medical, Complex 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 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 | Available | ||
| AfternoonPM | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | ||
| EveningLate | Available | Available |