Carol D.B. Whaley Counselling and Psychotherapy (She/Her)
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
In-Person in Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2
Online in
British Columbia
Choosing a Counsellor or Psychotherapist is a very personal process. It can be difficult to take that first step, even if it is not your first time in therapy. I am a Vancouver based Counsellor and Psychotherapist in Private Practice. I offer both in person and online sessions. I also offer 15 minute free telephone consults to help you decide if you feel the connection you need to enter into this very vulnerable and personal relationship.
I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the BC College of Social Workers, and have my Master of Social Work (MSW) from UBC; a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in Psychology; and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), both from McMaster University.
I have over 22 years of extensive clinical experience as a counsellor and psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, families and groups. I work with all ages on any issues that are getting in the way of the client experiencing life to its fullest in the very personal way they want to live.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: LGBTQ+, Men, Women clients.
Treatment Approach
- 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.
- Developmental Therapy Looks at how childhood and developmental experiences affect current challenges. It aims to repair unmet needs and foster healthy growth.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- 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.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
- Transactional Analysis Explores interactions through the lens of Parent, Adult, and Child roles. It aims to improve communication and self-awareness.
Approach Description: Human beings have a deep desire for wholeness and are naturally driven to connect and healing begins in relationship; to self, and others. There are various issues that come up in life, from every day life stresses to unimaginable trauma.
We all cope differently with what life has given us, depending on our experiences and the resources available to us along the way. There are no issues that are too small or too big to seek help for.
I cover a large area of personal issues in my practice because life presents a lot and we are often dealing with more than one issue at a time, the issues often overlap and the transitions can become overwhelming.
The body stores valuable information for us to understand ourselves and heal. I believe in the mind/body connection and the healing power of relationships. Therefore I take a body centred approach to healing while drawing on an extensive range of other therapeutic approaches. Each session is tailored to the needs of the client in the moment and is often a blend of a range of modalities I have acquired over the years. The most important components of each session being presence, compassion, safety and connection. Step by step going at the clients pace.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $180 for Individuals; $200 for Couples and Families
- Accepts Insurance
- My receipt allows clients to submit directly to their Insurance provider for reimbursement depending on their coverage.
Education & Credentials
Carol D.B. Whaley Counselling and Psychotherapy MSW, RSW
- Female
- License # 14290
- Licensed in British Columbia, Canada
- Practicing Since 1984
Education: In addition to Degrees, Credentials include; 5 years Intensive Bodynamic Somatic Psychotherapy Training; Gestalt Therapy: one year advanced training; Transactional Analysis: 2 years advanced training; Redecision Therapy: advanced training; EMDR Certification; Buddhism: Principles and Techniques.
Carol D.B. Whaley Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2
- Available Online for residents of British Columbia
- Online Therapy Details: I offer phone or online Zoom sessions depending on the clients preference
I have practiced short term counselling and long term psychotherapy for individuals; couples, families and groups, with children, youth and adults for over 22 years. I am passionate about therapy as I have personally experienced, witnessed and facilitated immense healing through the therapeutic process. Human beings are social with a deep drive toward contact and connection. Regardless of what we have experienced in life there is an accessible pathway for all of us back to the core of our being where a true sense of self worth, peace and contentment reside.
When I first began my practice in the 1980's I was trained in Individual and Couples therapy, Family Systems Theory, CBT, Gestalt, Redecision therapy and Transactional Analysis.
Over time in both my professional practice and my personal journey I have come to see how essential the body is to our psychological and spiritual healing.
In the last 5 years I have been engaged in extensive training in Bodynamics; a form of Somatic Developmental Psychotherapy, completing a certificate in Healing Developmental Disruptions, and the Bodynamic Somatic Psychotherapy Practitioner Training program, both of which involved extensive professional training as well as personal therapy.
In any given session you may experience a combination of any or all of these forms of therapy allowing the Body and Mind to work together to achieve the results you are seeking.