In-Person in Victoria, BC V8V 1L3
In-Person in Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N1
Online in
Multiple Canadian Provinces
British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland And Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Yukon
As the founder and director of Strength in Heart Counselling, I bring over 20 years of experience in mental health, research, and counselling to my work with individuals, couples, and families. My practice is rooted in a holistic, client-centered approach—one that values authentic connection, compassion, and empowerment. I am passionate about helping clients move through life’s challenges, heal from trauma, and discover their own resilience, drawing on evidence-based therapies and innovative practices like Somatic Parts Therapy.
My background includes advanced clinical training, academic research, and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals. I believe that healing happens when people feel truly seen and supported, and I strive to create a safe, welcoming space for every client, whether you’re seeking support in Victoria, BC, Cobble Hill, BC or online anywhere in Canada. If you’re ready to explore meaningful change, I’d be honoured to walk alongside you on your journey toward greater self-understanding and well-being.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior
Demographic Expertise: Buddhist, Christian, LGBTQ+, Men, Military / Veterans, Native American, Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Treatment Approach
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Jungian Therapy Draws on Carl Jung’s ideas about archetypes, dreams, and the collective unconscious. It helps people explore deeper layers of meaning.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Neuropsychology Examines how brain function affects thinking, memory, and behavior. It often involves assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
- Psychoanalytic Therapy Based on Freud’s theories, it explores unconscious conflicts and past experiences. It seeks to bring hidden issues into awareness.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Psychosocial Therapy Looks at how social and environmental factors affect psychological health. It emphasizes relationships, community, and resilience.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
- Transpersonal Therapy Integrates spirituality and higher states of consciousness with psychology. It encourages growth beyond the individual self.
Education & Credentials
Carla Mae Leuschen MPA, MSW, RSW
- Female
- License # 14081
- Licensed in British Columbia
- Practicing Since 2018
Finances
Fees
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Contact Strength in Heart Counselling to learn more.
- Accepts Insurance
Carla Mae Leuschen Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Victoria, BC V8V 1L3 and Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N1
- Available Online for residents of Multiple Canadian Provinces British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland And Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Yukon
- Online Therapy Details: Via secure HIPPA compliant online video. Also offer audio/telephone sessions.
Seeking support shouldn’t add more stress to your life. Strength in Heart Counselling offers a welcoming, diverse team ready to make finding the right counsellor simple and comfortable. Whether you prefer to select your own therapist in Victoria, Cobble Hill, or connect online from anywhere in Canada, we’re here to help—or let our easy matching process pair you with someone who truly understands your needs.
Our process is straightforward, with fast booking and warm support at every stage. Let us handle the logistics, so you can focus on your well-being and start feeling better, sooner.