My interest in counselling began early in life. As a child, I was placed in counselling at a time when I deeply needed support but was unable to express myself. When the therapeutic relationship ended because I could not yet find my voice, it left a lasting impression on me. That experience shaped my commitment to becoming a counsellor who remains patient, attuned, and empathetic, particularly with children and youth who may struggle to communicate their needs.

Prior to pursuing my master’s degree, I worked at a Kids Crisis Line, where I witnessed firsthand the significant need for accessible and compassionate support for children, youth, and families. I have since worked at a Children’s Hospital on the children and youth unit, supporting young people and their families in complex and often vulnerable circumstances. My professional experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of creating a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental space for healing.

I am honoured to be joining Stronghold Counselling as a therapist working with children, youth, and young adults. I am deeply committed to providing a supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether you are finding it hard to speak or simply need a safe place to begin, I would be honoured to walk alongside you in your journey.

My interest in counselling began early in life. As a child, I was placed in counselling at a time... Read More

On Maternity Leave until October 2026! Please feel free to email me at susie@strongholdcounselling.ca with any questions or to join my waitlist.

Born in: Cambridge, England

Lives in: Langley, BC

Education: BA in English Literature from UBC (2015); MA in Counselling Psychology from TWU (2020)

About me: I don’t want to begin my bio with the generic “hi I’m Susie, it’s nice to meet you!”. So instead of following the vibe of so many other “about me” sections you have seen, I am going to start mine by giving you some random facts about me.

1. If you try to convince me that pie is better than cake, we will be having an extensive debate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Although I am English, no I do not like crumpets; however, if you bring me a blueberry muffin, I will be your friend forever.

3. My favorite book series growing up was Nancy Drew. This love of crime has continued into my fascination with true crime stories.

4. RomComs are the bane of my existence and if we ever end up discussing this in counselling, I will pause session to give you my 5 minute monologue on how they have caused so many young people to have misinformed views on how to resolve conflict in relationships.

So, if you happen to come into my office, what can you expect during your time with me? Well, I love opportunities to be creative with the people I work with! I use a dash of humour, a little bit of play, an assortment of exercises, and of course, a lot of listening, questions, talking, and deep breaths.

Therapeutically, I ground myself in Person-Centred Theory and utilize skills from Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Adlerian Theory. I am an advocate for “authoritative parenting” and provide psycho-education and training for parents on: gentle/respectful parenting, attachment parenting, and collaborative problem solving.

On Maternity Leave until October 2026! Please feel free to email me at susie@strongholdcounsellin... Read More

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Occupational Therapist and bring curiosity, warmth, and a very human approach to my work. Outside the therapy room, I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes (while openly admitting that baking keeps me humble), travelling and learning new languages and cultures, and staying active through sports. I credit my pets as some of my most reliable grounding supports—always there for comfort, regulation, and the much-needed nudge to pause and breathe.

Professionally, I enjoy working with youth, adults, and families, and have a special interest in supporting individuals navigating neurodivergent, anxiety, stress, depression, and trauma experiences. I value being present with my clients and feel genuinely privileged to walk alongside them as they express their stories, their strengths, and what matters most to them.

My approach to therapy is integrative, humanistic, and client-centred, with foundations in trauma-informed and neuro-affirming care. I draw from evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, sensory and somatic approaches, as well as family systems and attachment theory.

I view therapy as a supportive and collaborative process, and work flexibly with my clients to develop strategies that align with their personal values, lived-experiences, and therapeutic goals.  Above all, I aim to foster a compassionate, supportive space where clients feel safe to be honest, respected, and empowered in working toward meaningful and lasting change at their own pace—sometimes with a bit of humour along the way. I am excited to be working at Stronghold Counselling and look forward to connecting with you.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Occupational Therapist and bring curiosity, ... Read More