Michael Toft

When navigating the dark and unknown or visiting the places we need to go to find peace, a guide or map like a compass, a witness, or just a companion in the dark can make all the difference. I offer secure remote counselling to individuals and couples in British Columbia to be that companion, to provide that compass, or to be that quiet, gentle witness.

My name is Michael Toft. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, a person living with a physical disability, and a trauma survivor. My curiosity about life experiences, my enjoyment of meeting new people, and my passion for deep, meaningful conversations led me to my career in counselling.

My practice focuses on exploring and working with PTSD and complex trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. However, my therapeutic experience is diverse, and I am happy to work with anyone who resonates with my therapeutic skills and approach.

In my experience, counselling is about unpacking a story. Specifically, it’s about your story, your Truth, and what it means to you. It’s also about the story of your future. Something special- even magical- happens when you explore a painful or delicate story with someone you trust, who listens with openness and curiosity and gives you the space to decide how to move forward with your story. It lifts a burden inside you, letting you proceed in life more freely.

Because of my emphasis on clients’ stories, my approach aligns well with Narrative Therapy. At the same time, I draw upon a few specific counselling theories to support the exploration of a client’s story: Humanistic Psychotherapy (an umbrella term), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Bowen Family Systems Theory. Each client resonates with different therapy styles, and I tailor the approaches I use to whatever suits the client, which may change from session to session since the session’s topic and the context of the client’s life often change. Please visit my website for more information about these different types of therapy.

My clientele includes both those with prior counselling experience and those with none. In both cases, I respect that the beginning of our work can be unnerving. Whether we are several sessions into unpacking a pivotal life event or relationship rupture or embarking on the initial stage of getting to know each other and establishing trust, I continually tune the climate of my practice toward gentleness, warmth, and patience. 

I have often said that my clients are my most inspiring teachers about the human condition and the courage to share and move forward with challenging stories. I would love to hear yours. Please reach out if you have any questions, and visit my website for more information or to book an appointment. Thank you very much, and I look forward to connecting with you.