You’re here for a reason; let’s explore that with curiosity.

My name is Chelsea (Chels), and my pronouns are they/them or she/her.

I am queer and non-binary, and in an ongoing process of finding language that fits my experience. I am a settler of mixed European descent and grew up on the unceded traditional territory of the Quw’utsun’ people, also known as the Cowichan tribes. I now live on unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən territory. The process of personal and professional decolonization continues to enrich my life and increase my gratitude to the stewards of this land, their relationship to it, and the beauty of the land itself.

Before pursuing my Master's in Counselling, I was a manager in the service industry for 15 years. This work, much like life, sometimes asks us to compartmentalize our struggles or parts of our authentic selves in order to be in certain spaces. It has instilled in me the importance of cultivating boundaries that can hold my authenticity while engaging what the space I’m in is asking for. This informs my approach in the counselling room: holding a space for your authentic self and navigating how to hold on to it alongside the complexities of life, circumstances, relationships and wounds.

I believe that each person knows themselves best and see our work together as supporting your connecting to yourself. I also believe that healing work is sometimes about finding and other times about intentionally forming, who we are and how to move forward.

I have a passion for working with people navigating the complexities of religion and religious communities. This could include experiences of religious doubt, clergy abuse, processing harm in the context of religion or a religious community, and/or seeking to unlearn harmful religious beliefs. The intersection of these with being a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is an area of personal experience for me. This gives me a deep appreciation for how layered and scary this arena can be.

When I’m not studying or working, I enjoy deepening my connections to self (through coffee and meditation in the morning) and my community (usually through sharing food and conversation and/or adventure).

When I have other pockets of time, I like taking on a building project of some kind. The process of creating slows me down and connects my mind and body. It also helps me hold both beauty and imperfection together.

I am currently accepting clients in BC and Alberta.

I work with individual clients 13+.

I offer virtual and in person sessions in Victoria, BC.

My session fee is $40-$60 sliding scale.

Email: chelsea@burnbrightcounselling.ca

 How I Show Up

  • Compassionate

  • Curious

  • Authentic

  • Grounded

  • Prepared

  • Non-judgemental

  • Open

  • Present

  • Imperfect

  • Occasionally humorous

  • With a both/and lens

Areas of Passion

  • 2SLGBTQIA+

  • Gender Exploration

  • Complex Religious Experiences/Trauma

  • Grief and Loss

  • Experiences of Anxiety

  • Experiences of Depression

  • Self-compassion/Self-worth

  • Codependence

  • Interpersonal Communication & Boundary setting

  • Spirituality

 My Values

  • Integrity

  • Community (and Connection)

  • Beauty

  • Play

  • Spirituality

  • Creativity

  • Growth

  • Multi-generational spaces

  • Authenticity

My Education & Registrations

  • Master of Arts in Counselling - Providence University College and Theological Seminary (In Progress)

  • Bachelor of Biblical Studies - Peace River Bible Institute (2008)

Additional Learning

  • Foundations of Narrative Therapy (Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy) - May 2025

  • Volunteer Counsellor Training Program (Citizens’ Counselling Centre) - September 2022 - June 2023

  • Spiritual Trauma: What is it and How to Heal – (Dr. Hillary McBride and Adam Young Counseling) - June 2025

  • The Living School: Non-Dual, Contemplative Spirituality (The Center for Action and Contemplation) - July 2020 - July 2022

  • How Do We Heal Our Spiritual Hurt (The Center for Action and Contemplation) - July 2025

  • Gender Affirming Relational Practice (Trans Care BC) - July 2025

  • Intro to Gender Diversity (Trans Care BC) - July 2025

  • Intro to Gender Diversity – Expanded – (Trans Care BC) - July 2025

  • Indigenous Gender Diversity - (Trans Care BC) - July 2025

  • Supporting Gender Creative Children and Families (Trans Care BC) - July 2025

Book a consultation with Chelsea here