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Hey, I'm glad you're here.

I recognize just how much it can take to reach out for help.  Usually when people reach out, things have reached a "tipping point."  That's a pretty vulnerable place and I respect that. 

Working with me, we will look at what's happening through a lens of curiosity and hope, leaving Judgement at the door.​​

Leanne Fessler (she/her, hers)

Registered Clinical Counsellor #3000
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

It might seem odd to consider sharing about the personal details of your life with a perceived stranger, so it's fair to be curious about the person sitting with you "in the room."

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As a late teen, and later young adult, I began my journey in this field by volunteering, working, and learning more about psychology just about anywhere they would let a novice in.  I was simply curious about us - as people - and drawn to help and connect.  Officially beginning my career as a counsellor in 2006, I worked primarily as a Child & Family Therapist. I quickly realized how much working with adults reflecting on their childhood needs informed my work with children and their parents.  My work broadened into work across the life spectrum, with a wide variety of concerns (for more on training and experience see below).

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Along the way, life experiences and challenges have peppered and deepened my own understanding of what it means to be in a place of struggle and needing support.  My work has become more focused and specialized to achieve the quality of care I desire.  I've chosen to work and specialize in areas close to my heart - and I can understand how close they are to yours.  And I'm delighted to watch change and growth in action - with you.

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My approach seeks to use information, evidence and logic - balanced by art, expression and the body.  My training and practice reflect this balance.   I've been trained in the use of art, music, nature and creativity in therapy, along with strong evidence-based treatments.  This is important because it allows me to draw from a wide-range of possibilities in our work, as per your comfort and needs.  Above all else, my approach is collaborative.​​​​​​​

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WORKING WITH ME​​​​​​​​​

 

  • ​​Perinatal Mental Health

  • Anxiety (panic, general, etc)

  • Depression

  • Grief and Loss

  • Life Transitions

  • Relationships

  • Caregiver Stress & Burnout

  • Professional Stress & Burnout

  • Support for Parents/caregivers

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  • ​​Interpersonal Psychology (IPT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Expressive Arts methods (music, arts) 

  • Gottman - Bringing Baby Home

  • Somatic Therapy

  • Family of origin work

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AREAS OF FOCUS / SPECIALTY​​​​​​​​​​

Drawing from the following THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES​​​​​​​​​

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Ready To Work Together?

01. Book Consult

Book a free 15 min consult to ask questions, learn about my approach, and determine if we are a good fit.

02. Intake Session

Attend an in-person or virtual appointment where we learn more about each other and work together  a course of action.

03. Book Your Sessions

You will be given an online link to book further appointments at your convenience.



Additional Info:

EDUCATION:

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Psychology, University of Lethbridge

MEMBERSHIP:

  • BC Association of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC)

  • Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) provider

SELECT TRAINING:

     Perinatal-Specific

  • Birth and Reproductive Trauma - Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Individuals; Perinatal Focus - IPT Institute

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups - IPT Institute

  • Bringing Baby Home Workshop for Couples - Gottman Insititute

  • Maternal Mental Health Professional Certificate Training - Post-partum Support International

  • Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Certificate - Post-partum Support International

  • Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Certificate - UBC

  • Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death Certificate - Maternal Mental Health Now

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    Trauma-Specific

  • EMDR Level 1 - EMDR Center of Canada

  • Somatic Transformation 2- year program - Dr Sharon Stanley

  • TF-CBT for Children and Adolescents

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    Additional Training, Certifications, Workshops in 

  • Walk and Talk Therapy 

  • Music Integrated Therapy (MIT)

  • Externship in Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy 

  • Satir Transformational Therapy 

  • Expressive Arts, Play-based, Therapies (Marie-Jose Dhaese, Lynn Lyons, Lianna Lowenstein, Lisa Dion etc)

  • Changeways Depression Treatment Program 

  • DBT / ACT / CBT

WORK EXPERIENCE:

​Current:

  • Private Practice Owner

  • Founder South Rock Perinatal Wellness Collective

Previous:

  • Private Practice Associate 

  • UBC Counselling Services

  • Family Services of Greater Vancouver VISAC/SAIP program, KITES bereavement group, RSVP school-based group program

  • CHIMO Community Services (CWWA program) and Nova Transition House

  • ​Internships: Alderwood Family Development Center; Practice of Ruth-Ann Stewart; Play Therapy Practice of Dr. Joanne Crandall

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