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Hi there,

 
 
 
 
 

I'm Kelly (she/her)

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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 2019 after falling in love with the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. 

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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 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. â€‹With curiosity, gentle encouragement, and an unwavering belief in your strength and resilience, I aim to offer a safe place where you feel seen and supported. 

Training & Qualifications

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Professional Qualifications

Master of Counselling - City University of Seattle, 2024

Educational Leadership - Thomas More Leadership Academy, 2017

Master of Special Education - Fontys University, 2014

Bachelor of Education, Leiden University, 2010

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Clinical Training & Certifications

Nature-Based Therapy 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

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Additional Training & Certifications

Assistant Overnight Guide (AOG), SKGABC, 2024​

Wilderness First Aid (40 hours), Ridge First Aid, 2024

Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), NIC, 2024​

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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. 

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- I am a wife, daughter, and oldest sister.

- I am a fairly recent immigrant (2019) 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.

 

I humbly acknowledge that the land I live and work on is on the Unceded Traditional Territory

of the K’ómoks First Nation on the west coast of Turtle Island, known colonially as the Comox Valley, Canada.

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