Vilayvanh Sengsouvanh
Areas of practice
- Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Anger Management Issues
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Attention Deficit Disorder - ADHD
- Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Chronic Illness
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- First Nations Issues
- Gender Identity Issues
- Grief and Loss - General
- LGBTQ Issues
- Racial Identity
- Transgender Identity and Adaptation
- Trauma Counselling
Approaches used
- ADD and ADHD Coping Strategies
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Cross Cultural Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- EMDR
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
- Emotionally Focused Family Therapy
- Feminist Psychotherapy
- Grief and Loss - Complicated.
- Meditation
- Mindfulness approaches
- Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling
Counselling practice website:
https://www.vscounselling.org/Practice information:
Feeling down, overwhelmed, anxious or stressed? Maybe you're dealing with a loss or a break-up or getting used to life in a new city or country. Life can get difficult for many of us, and sometimes a little help or support can make things better. I care about your well-being and can provide you with the tools you need to tackle even the most challenging circumstances.
If you decide to work with me, we may explore what you want to be different in your life and what approaches may work well for you. I bring my full presence, warm respect, deep listening, compassion and insight. Ideally we would work as a team to help you make the changes you want. I can go beyond listening to offer new skills or tools to improve your mood, reduce stress or negativity, and/or improve your relationships. My approaches are grounded in respect, non-judgment, anti-oppression and anti-racism, including a lived understanding of intersectional identities. My hope is that you will feel seen, supported, cared for, resourced and understood. Making small changes and coping with challenging feelings and thoughts can bring positive, life-changing results.
About me:
- Over 14 years of counselling experience
- Queer, trans, non-binary, Vietnamese and Laotian
- Immigrant and settler resting on unceded, ancestral and traditional Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam and other Coast Salish territories, colonially known as Vancouver, BC
- Offers individual and relationship therapy to individuals age 16 years and over
- Offers gender affirming care, hormone readiness and surgery readiness assessments for adults
- Approved provider and can bill directly to:
- First Nations Health Authority
- Metis Nation of BC
- Crime Victim Assistance Program
- Interim Federal Health Program or Medavie for newcomers and immigrants
- Other services offered include clinical supervision and consultation for organizations - please see my website for more information
I have worked in non-profit, private and health settings, including for a Coast Salish nation, rape crisis centre, employee assistance program and community mental health centre. I've assisted queer, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender expansive folks, Indigenous people, and adults with substance use issues, persistent mental health issues, and/or street-involvement, including sex work. It is an honour and a privilege to do this valuable, meaningful, heart-centred work.
My work is informed by being neurodivergent with disabilities, having experienced my own mental health challenges and my own ongoing journey as a client. My healing path has also involved connecting with nature, meditation, mindfulness and other spiritual and ancestral practices.
I value ongoing professional and personal growth, including having completed training in Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy or IFOT, EMDR, DBT, etc. I have also taken many workshops and groups as a participant, such as assertiveness, mindful self-compassion and non-violent communication. Some favourite personal activities are swimming, gardening, and spending time with friends and loved ones. Some of the things I care about are building relationships and community; mutual aid and community care; respect and care for other beings and the earth; social, racial, economic, and disability justice, and collective liberation.
More about My Services
I offer individual therapy, relationship or couples therapy, clinical supervision, and consultation for individuals age 16 years and over, by video or telephone in Canada. I primarily see clients in BC, but am also able to serve clients in Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. I am available to provide consultation to organizations, including facilitating meetings and advising about policy and practice in regard to diversity, equity, inclusion, neurodivergence, disabilities, anti-racism and anti-oppression . If cost is a barrier, I have a few sliding scale spots, usually $100 to $150.
I also provide gender affirming care, including hormone and surgery readiness assessments for chest reconstruction, breast augmentation, and gonadectomy for adults. Surgery readiness assessments for genital surgeries are required to be done by a medical professional, such as a physician. Please note that you may be able to get hormone or surgery readiness assessments for free through Trans Care BC or the Catherine White Holman Centre.
If you have extended health benefits, they might cover all or some of the costs. You may qualify for services through the Crime Victim Assistance Program or CVAP, Interim Federal Health Program or IFHP for newcomers and immigrants, First Nations Health Authority or FNHA, or Metis Nation of BC. I am an approved provider for CVAP, IFHP, FNHA and can bill directly to all of them and to the Métis Nation of BC.
Indigenous Counselling
I have over 3.5 years of experience working with youth, adults, families and Elders at a Coast Salish First Nation. In addition, I have taken an Indigenous counselling course at the University of British Columbia and a one-year certificate program in Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy and Complex Trauma at the Justice Institute of BC. As an approved mental health provider at FNHA, I have completed the San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety course. Ongoing learning, including decolonizing practices, is my commitment as an Asian settler and immigrant on unceded, ancestral and traditional Coast Salish territories, including Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish territories . My experience assisting people with grief and loss, including complex grief, is another asset.
You may qualify for 10 sessions through the Métis Nation of BC and can apply through their website. This allows you to choose any registered or licensed mental health provider; they do not need to be pre-approved. FNHA also provides up to 22 sessions, and we may be able to apply for more sessions if needed. You may wish to check their website to see if you are eligible. Part of my role is to submit the FNHA paperwork on your behalf.
Specialized training:
- Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, by BC School of Professional Psychology and Dr. Marshal Wilensky: 3 days of training
- Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy and Complex Trauma, IFOT, by Justice Institute of BC: one-year certificate program
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy for couples, EFT, by Vancouver Couple and Family Institute: 3 days of training
- Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy by International Institute for EFFT: 4 days of training
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Level 2 by DBT Centre of Vancouver and Fraser Health Authority: 24 hours of training over 8 weeks
Client fee individuals:
160Client fee couples/families:
195Availability:
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