Kate has an M.A. in Counselling Psychology and is Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
She has 17 years of Vancouver Counselling experience working with individuals & groups specializing in: women's issues, multi-cultural issues, couples, adolescence, personal counselling issues such as: anxiety, depression, transition, self-growth, relationships & self-esteem.
The Vancouver Counselling practice was first established in March of 1996.
Kate has enjoyed 12 years of providing consistent, compassionate, professional counselling in private practice through Woman's Solace Counselling Service. Prior to 1996, Kate was a personal & career counsellor for several different counselling agencies in the Victoria & Vancouver areas.

Starting in the year 2000, Kate was hired as a college Counsellor at Vancouver Community College.
Kate was recently appointed to the position of Department Head of Counselling & Advising Services in Sept. 2007 prior to this she was Assistant Dept. Head as of July 2006.
Along with administrative duties, Kate also counsels students of all ages & backgrounds for: crisis, anxiety, depression, family issues, multi-cultural issues, student support, education support, academic & career advising.

Kate is a strong believer in continued education in the field. She continually keeps up to date in the filed of Counselling Psychology through workshops & courses. Some of the courses she has taken include: Anxiety & Stress Intervention workshops, Guided Imagery Skills & techniques, Hypnosis, Drug & Alcohol counselling, Group Process, Multi- Cultural Training, Clinical Record Keeping, Assertiveness & Anger Management Techniques.
Further to this, she meets for consultation with other R.C.C.'s, Therapists & Psychologists for any client questions or concerns, & supervision of her work. Kate is in close, regular contact with her colleagues and views this as an integral part of her professional development.

2006-2008 workshops included:
Couples Counselling Psychology Conference, San Jose, CA, April 2008
Coaching for High Performance - February, 2008
Problem Solving Skills for Organizations- Oct. 2007
Interventions for Binge Drinking in College Students- April 2007
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders- June 2007
'The Emodied Mind', Attachment & Neuropsychology conference at UCLA- Body & Mind emphasis.
Sensorimotor Therapy with Kekuni Minton- Mind/body 4 day workshop.
Couples Therapy - Gottman & EFT - Antioch University, Seattle
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy - Antioch University, Seattle
January 2007- Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training- Palm Springs, California.

"As your therapist, I encourage you to join with me on your goals of therapy as I believe that the counselling relationship is a very sacred & healing relationship.
I will offer you a respectful, non-judgemental, objective approach and give you unconditional positive regard.
I will view you holistically (mentally, physically, spiritually) & as a unique & invaluable individual with the potential for growth & possibilities.
I will meet with you to understand what may be hindering you from moving forward & create with you the interventions that will help your life unfold.
I will uphold & respect your own wisdom & resources to help yourself as crucial to your healing & growth.
I will be direct, honest, & objective in gently pointing out my observations of denial, excuses or negative belief systems that appear to keep you stuck.
The counselling relationship exists for YOUR best interests. I care very deeply for all of my clients.
All sessions are strictly confidential (some exceptions to confidentiality exist which I will go over with you in the first session) & I seek to uphold the highest of ethical standards."

Kate's therapeutic orientations and techniques include:
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction-mind/body connection, Adlerian, Person Centered; some Narrative Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, CBT-cognitive behavioral therapy. Kate places emphasis on the power of the therapeutic counselling relationship. Therapeutic orientation for couples counselling includes, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman's work and Imago therapy. She also utilizes deep relaxation techniques, desensitization and guided imagery for additional therapeutic results.

Views on Skill Development for Women & Couples:
Kate places a strong emphasis on skill development for women. When clients desire change or feel stuck in their lives, she believes in the necessity for them to develop new skills to add to their lives.
"I provide a number of handouts per counselling session that pertain to each client's specific issues; thereby enhancing skills in communication, relationship issues & self-care.
Along with general self-development, the client may also learn coping skills for dealing with difficult feelings & issues."

"I think I already understand about life:
pretty
good, some problems."
Sam Lamott Age 7