Our Team
Sarah Hoffman, RCC
I respectfully acknowledge that the land on which I gather is the unceded traditional territ
About
It is an absolute privilege to hold space for clients' growth, and I deeply love the work I do. It is my sincere hope that everyone who walks through my door feels truly seen and celebrated for their unique strengths, as well as deeply supported in navigating change and moving towards a life where they feel a genuine sense of self-worth, satisfaction and meaning.
Qualifications
- I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, and Bachelor of Art Degree’s in Sociology, Development Studies and Child and Youth Care Counselling.
- Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy
- Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
- Internal Family Systems, (IFS)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Trauma Informed Yoga and Movement
- TheraPsil Psilocybin Therapy
- Expressive Play Therapy
- Reiki
Jennifer Shillington, RCC
I respectfully acknowledge that the land on which I gather is the unceded traditional territ
About
Personal healing is a complex and sometimes uncomfortable journey. It requires self-compassion and commitment. No one else can walk the road for you, but it is my role to support, to guide and work alongside you as you embark on this 'coming home' journey.
I am a holistic, intuitive somatic counsellor in the Comox Valley. The compass that guides my work is the notion that we are our own healers and therefore sovereign agents in our innate healing.
Qualifications
- Master's of Arts Degree in Counselling & Spirituality
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, Carleton University
- ICF Coaching Fundamentals
- SAFER, suicide intervention and prevention
- San'yas Indigenous Cultural Training
- Two year Somatic Attachment training, Lisa Mortimore
- Ten days of Mindfulness Training, Yasodhara Ashram
- TheraPsil Psilocybin Therapy
- Nervous System Tune up, Irene Lyon
Julia Allen, RCC
I respectfully acknowledge that the land on which I gather is the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish people.
About
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) living in the Cowichan Valley. I have been a counsellor for over 40 years.
I specialize in psychedelic integration, managing spiritual awakenings and encompassing transformation through transpersonal and archetypal experiences. Working in a variety of mental health capacities, my therapy focuses on depression, anxiety, altered state therapies, psychedelic integration, nature-relatedness, trauma resolution, mindfulness, and spiritual atonement.
I started The River Institute in 2019, as a school for spiritual counselling based on my two published books– The River Books (2007) and Soul Catching: Discovering sacred connections in our environments (2017).
In over 40 years of counselling, I have found the single biggest challenge clients is to have enough openness of mind to be willing and able to acknowledge their blocks and unresolved traumas. I find that altered state therapies create a state of entropy that is free from egoic defensiveness that allows a higher aspect of the psyche to emerge.
Qualifications
- Master's of Arts Degree in Counselling
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology