Shivani Wells-Shaw
Areas of practice
- Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Chronic Pain
- COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Critical Incidents and Acute Stress
- Depression
- Dissociative Disorders
- Grief and Loss - General
- Grief and Loss - Prenatal
- Intimacy Issues
- Personal Injury
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Sexual Assault
- Trauma Counselling
Approaches used
- Body Centred Therapy
- EMDR
- Meditation
- Mindfulness approaches
- ONLINE / VIRTUAL / TELEHEALTH COUNSELLING
- Pain Management
- Relational Psychotherapy
- Somatic Experiencing
Counselling practice website:
http://www.shivaniwells.comPractice information:
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the owner of Shivani Wells-Shaw Clinical Counsellor. I lead a team of EMDR therapists offering online and in-person appointments in Downtown Vancouver. My practice focuses on treating stress and trauma-related symptoms in ways that go beyond traditional talk therapy to support healing in your brain, body, and nervous system. I believe symptoms are not an indication that there's something wrong with you, but rather are your brain and body's attempt to adapt, survive, and cope. Regardless of your past or current struggles, or how stuck you feel, I believe everyone has the capacity to grow and heal with the right support. We can't change the past, but together we can repair it!
If you're experiencing generalized anxiety, health anxiety, panic, depression, dissociative symptoms, chronic pain, fears of emotional or sexual intimacy, unhealthy coping behaviours, people-pleasing, harsh self-criticism, flashbacks, nightmares, or other trauma-related symptoms, I'm here to help!
My approach combines EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and inner child therapy. I have advanced training in EMDR to support clients with dissociative disorders, complex trauma, depression, chronic pain, and personality disorders, and I engage in on-going consultation with experts in the field. I strive to work from a trauma-informed, feminist, LGBTQ2+ affirming, anti-racist lens, and to create a brave therapeutic space where all people feel welcomed and respected.
Beyond overcoming symptoms, benefits of therapy can include increased self-regulation skills, increased confidence in asserting boundaries, an increased tolerance for difficult emotions and sensations, improved self-care, greater self-compassion, attachment repair, and a sense of embodied safety and ease.
When working with new clients, I assess for dissociative symptoms, explore early attachment experiences, and get an understanding of your history and symptoms so that together we can create a treatment plan to meet your unique goals and needs.
My clinical practice shows me that dissociation and trauma often go hand-in-hand to varying degrees and that dissociative symptoms are much more common than some may think. I see dissociation, however it presents, as your brain's intelligent way of managing what's unmanageable so that you can live life as normally as possible despite the stress and trauma you experienced in your past.
My work with dissociative clients includes exploring their system with curiosity and compassion, identifying wounded and protective parts of the self, resourcing and strengthening the Adult Self, making sense of triggers and reactions, learning how to unblend from parts, reducing inner conflicts and fears, repairing attachment wounds through reparenting, facilitating inner harmony and collaboration, and working with parts to reprocess distressing memories.
In addition to treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression, I also have a growing interest in supporting clients with chronic pain. My personal experience of living with chronic pain inspires me to continue learning about pain science, pain management, and therapeutic interventions that I can use to support clients going through similar struggles. In this work, I use a combination of EMDR, somatic interventions, and mindfulness. I also like to share available resources to support you outside of therapy. Goals of this approach may include increasing nervous system regulation, decreasing nervous system sensitization, helping the brain perceive pain sensations as safe and non-threatening, learning to engage in life at your new baseline, and processing any traumatic memories that contribute to the pain.
I offer free 15-minute phone consultations for new clients, and when my practice is full I am happy to match you with another therapist on my team. My office is a warm and inviting space located in a heritage building in Downtown Vancouver. Just steps from the Granville and Waterfront Skytrain stations and buses on Granville Street, the office is easily accessible by public transit. There is street parking in front of the building and a Diamond parking lot on Seymour between Pender and Hastings.
Specialized training:
- Advanced training in EMDR for dissociative disorders, chronic pain, depression, and personality disorders
- Intermediate level Somatic Experiencing
Client fee individuals:
$155 + GSTAvailability:
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