Hi there,
I'm Kelly (she/her)
I am a counsellor, ecotherapist, and educator living and working on the lands of the K'ómoks First Nation, now known as the Comox Valley, BC. I was born and raised in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 2020 after falling in love with the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.
After working in education for over a decade as a teacher, school counsellor, vice-principal, and case manager, I decided to embark on a different journey and do what makes me feel most alive: truly and deeply connecting with people and the natural world.
In addition to offering my counselling services in the Comox Valley, I work part-time as a sea kayak guide in the coastal waters of Vancouver Island in the summer and as a polar guide and general naturalist in Antarctica in the winter. In these roles I get a chance to help folks (re)connect to the natural world and to advocate for the protection and preservation of vulnerable and unique ecosystems.
My work - as both a counsellor and guide - is grounded in the belief that everything is interconnected and healing involves tending to the connection we have with ourselves, the humans, community, and world around us. With curiosity, gentle encouragement, and an unwavering belief in your strength and resilience, I aim to offer a safe place where you or your child (14+) feel seen and supported.
Training & Qualifications
Professional Qualifications
Master of Counselling - City University of Seattle, 2024
Educational Leadership Certificate - Thomas More Leadership Academy, 2017
Master of Special Education - Fontys University, 2014
Bachelor of Education, Leiden University, 2010
Clinical Training & Certifications
Core Indigenous Cultural Safety Training for Mental Health, San'yas, 2025
NBT with Children, Youth & Families, HumanNature Society, 2025
Nature-Based Therapy (NBT) in Practice, HumanNature Society, 2024
Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT) training, CityU Clinic, 2024
Prof. Ecotherapy Certificate Program Level 1 - The Earthbody Institute, 2023
Climate Cafe Facilitator Training, Climate Psychology Alliance, 2023
Introduction to Nature-Based Therapy, HumanNature Society, 2022
Additional Training & Certifications
Apprentice Interpreter Training, IGA, 2025
Marine Mammal Naturalist Course, MERS, 2025
Bear Awareness & Safety Training, CBVA, 2025
Assistant Overnight Guide (AOG), SKGABC, 2024
Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), NIC, 2024
Wilderness First Aid (40 hours), Ridge First Aid, 2023
On a Personal Note
Finding a therapist who feels like 'your' person can be hard.
Being open about some of my experiences and identities might help you decide if we would be a good fit to work together.
- I am a wife, daughter, and oldest sister.
- I am a fairly recent immigrant (2020) and understand some of the struggles of moving to a new country without family and finding a community and sense of belonging later in life.
- My own experiences with mental health challenges include burnout and witnessing and navigating depression, anxiety, and trauma in the lives of people closest to me.
- I have experience with psychedelics in therapeutic settings and I hold a strong destigmatizing view of folks using substances.
- Through my work in education, mental health, and outdoor guiding, I’ve gained deep understanding of the challenges these roles present.
- I have seen multiple therapists over the last decade and would not be where I am today without them walking a stretch of this journey called life with me. I believe seeking help is one of the bravest things we can do.