About Zachary, MA RCC

Zachary Bruyere, Registered Clinical Counsellor

Offering a collaborative partnership towards healing and growth, Zachary helps you navigate life’s challenges with empathy, insight, and unwavering support. He hopes that the relationship built with him allows you to stand against the power of the problem together.

Welcome to Therapy with Zachary, where the journey of self-discovery meets compassionate guidance. Zachary is dedicated to offering a safe and nurturing space for individuals, aged 16 and above, to explore their experiences and rediscover inner peace, joy, love, and safety. With a background deeply rooted in face-to-face interactions, Zachary understands the value of genuine connection and empathic listening. His journey into counselling stemmed from a profound desire to support others through life’s challenges and to foster a sense of belonging in those who may feel isolated by their pain.

Grounded in a trauma-informed perspective, Zachary recognizes the profound impact of trauma on individuals’ lives and aims to support and empower those he works with to reclaim their sense of agency in navigating its complexities. He also has a special interest in working with men struggling with modern day expectations of masculinity; this can take a toll on one’s mental health, and Zachary aims to guide his clients toward developing a healthy balance of strength and warmth with how they move through the world. Relational support is another key focus of Zachary’s practice. He works closely with individuals who are wanting to improve their relationships, whether that is building more effective communication skills, recovering from a break-up, developing capacity for greater emotional attunement with their partner, or outlining processes for re-building trust, Zachary’s skill and guidance can be a key factor in relational repair and development.

Drawing from a diverse toolkit that includes Somatic Experiencing, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-based techniques, and mindfulness practices, Zachary tailors his approach to meet each individuals’ unique needs. Through collaborative exploration and processing in a safe environment, he strives to guide clients towards transforming their narratives from ones of adversity to ones of resilience and fulfillment. Zachary hopes that the relationship built with him allows you to stand against the power of the problem together.

Approaches: Somatic Experiencing, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Techniques, and Mindfulness Practices.

Populations: Youth (16+) & Adults.

Specializations: Acute and Complex Trauma, Men’s Health and Well-Being, Gender Expectations, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Life Transitions, Relationship Issues, Shame, Self-Esteem Issues, Emotional Dysregulation, and Isolation.

Educational Background: Zachary holds a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University in Vancouver, complemented by an undergraduate background in Psychology and Sociology. He has also completed Level I training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and aspires to pursue certification in EMDR therapy to further enhance his ability to support clients on their healing journey.

Beyond the Work: Zachary loves spending time with loved ones, and out in nature. He has a passion for exercise and loves to go snowboarding and mountain biking when he can. Zachary plays video games and finds it as a great way to connect with his hometown friends in Edmonton. Being new to Vancouver Island, he is very excited to explore what island living is all about. Not one to shy away from culinary delights, Zachary would love to hear about your must try restaurants in the city!

About Zachary, MA RCC Zachary Bruyere, Registered Clinical Counsellor Offering a collaborative... Read More

Susanne works collaboratively with youth (16+) and adults, offering specialized, empathic guidance and support rooted in person-centered, trauma-informed, and somatic-based approaches for a wide variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, and acute and complex trauma.

With a deep-rooted commitment to empowering individuals on their journey to emotional healing and self-discovery, Susanne’s passion for helping others and genuine commitment to fostering emotional well-being is reflected in her compassionate guidance and personalized approach. Focused on empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges with newfound strength and resilience, she prioritizes creating a safe and non-judgmental space for exploration and growth.

Susanne employs a number of skills in her therapeutic practice and works from an eclectic perspective, drawing from a number of approaches. Three key specializations that Susanne offers are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Expressive Movement Therapy.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful process aimed at helping alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation (usually side-to-side eye movement). This process allows the brain and nervous system to better process these unresolved memories and integrate the healing so as to allow for more psychological and emotional freedom. Susanne works closely with you throughout these steps to ensure you’re supported and well-resourced.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) aims to help individuals build new skills and strategies to manage emotional extremes and self-destructive behaviours. Utilizing DBT, Susanne helps her clients develop four key skill sets for a more well-rounded and resilient life: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and a greater tolerance for distress. Susanne also offers DBT groups, which provide the opportunity to learn and create change with like-minded people going through similar experiences.

In our fast-paced world we can often find ourselves “caught in our head” by overthinking, ruminating, predicting, worrying and stressing. In many ways we’ve lost touch with the completeness of our experience from head to toe. Expressive Movement Therapy is an excellent way to get out of being “stuck” in your head and to reintegrate a full-body (mind, body, spirit) way of moving through the world. Through a safe and supportive process of guiding you into your body’s movements (sometimes small movements, sometimes big, but always at a pace that feels comfortable for you), Susanne helps you to bring awareness to – and explore – emotions, behaviours, habits, and sensations held in the body that can often be functioning on auto-pilot and be blocking you from living a more authentic, balanced, and peaceful life. With greater attunement to your experience you’re better able to release tension, resolve old traumas, listen to the wisdom within yourself, and make more effective decisions to create the change you desire.

Approaches: EMDR, Somatic-Based Practices, Expressive Movement, DBT, CBT, Attachment-Based Techniques, Mindfulness Practices and Dreamwork. Susanne also facilitates groups for DBT Skill Development (online) and groups for Expressive Movement (in-person). Please see our Groups page for more information or contact Susanne or our admin staff directly.

Populations: Youth (16+) and Adults.

Specializations: Acute and Complex Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Self-Esteem Issues, Shame, Life-Transitions, Career Change, Emotional Dysregulation, Communication Skills, ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Educational Background: Susanne is a Canadian Certified Counsellor registered through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Post Degree Diploma in Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions through Camosun College.

Beyond the work: Susanne enjoys spending time with her friends, family, long-time partner, and two cats. An avid reader with a passion for technology and the arts, she enjoys listening to music, singing, watching films, video gaming, creating art, and is a member of the local dance community. Finding solace in connecting with nature, Susanne enjoys spending time outdoors in nature and growing an abundance of plants.

Quote: “I believe in the intrinsic connection between mind and body, and I incorporate somatic-based practices to facilitate a deeper awareness of the body’s response to emotional stimuli. My integrative approach to therapy emphasizes the holistic nature of healing and I encourage clients to explore their inner worlds through a combination of traditional talk therapy and experiential modalities.”

Susanne Gilby, Canadian Certified Counsellor at NeurAlive Counselling & Neurofeedback. Accepting New Clients In Victoria and Virtually.

Susanne works collaboratively with youth (16+) and adults, offering specialized, empathic guidanc... Read More

Vanya (she/her) has worked in a counselling and art therapy capacity with families, children, and people from all walks of life for more than ten years. Her current practice focuses on the well-being of women, parents, caregivers and couples. A creative and collaborative approach has been invaluable in her work with those facing the challenges that may accompany motherhood, parenting, marriage, grief and loss, trauma, and the negotiation of new life stages.

Seeking to provide a safe, peaceful and accepting therapeutic space, Vanya supports her clients as they deepen their understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. She adapts a warm, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach to each client’s needs. Her practice is integrative and draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and somatic practices, to address the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of a person or couple’s lived experience.

Vanya also integrates art therapy into her counselling practice when appropriate. In art therapy the client and therapist work collaboratively with images, process, and product as they lead toward personal growth and a realization of therapeutic goals. Vanya grew up in an environment immersed in the arts and witnessed the ways that art has the universal potential to teach, communicate, heal, and change lives.

Working extensively in cross-cultural contexts, Vanya often utilized interventions that addressed trauma, collective healing, personal agency, and self-esteem building. She has worked widely across Canada, from Quebec to British Columbia, as well as in urban, rural, and Northern locales. She also has experience working in clinical, educational, legal, and community arts-based settings. Before establishing herself in Victoria, BC, she worked in private practice in Saskatchewan, often assisting women and families through situations involving sexual abuse, violence, and trauma.

Vanya (she/her) has worked in a counselling and art therapy capacity with families, children, and... Read More

“Therapy is a creative pursuit. It can be fun, engaging, challenging, and rewarding. We can accomplish great things when given time, space, and compassionate support.”

Marion is a dedicated counsellor who specializes in helping individuals and their relations navigate and heal from the complexities of trauma and mental health through a compassionate and integrative therapeutic approach. With over 10 years of experience in counselling and 10 years in social services, she holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology from Yorkville University and has received specialized training in Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Marion’s own values root her practice in a strengths-based and collaborative approach, where her clients are the experts of their experience. She is deeply committed to anti-oppressive practice and ongoing professional (and personal) development. She is devoted to an ethical profession. Accordingly, she both receives and provides Clinical Supervision and is an active member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Canadian Certified Counsellor and Canadian Certified Supervisor).

Approach: Understanding that trauma has impacts at the individual level (mind and body), relational level (families, friends, partners), and a societal level (communities, nations), Marion embraces an integrative approach to therapy that provides opportunities for reflection and integration. In individual therapy, she combines the principles of Somatic Experiencing, a body-oriented therapeutic model that helps clients connect to their whole self, with the mindfulness-based practices of ACT, and the renegotiation of unhelpful beliefs with EMDR and Narrative Therapy. This integration empowers individuals to accept their experience, connect with their present moment, and engage in actions that align with their values, contributing to healing and growth.

In working with families, couples, partners, and friends, Marion is skilled at helping build insight, improve communication, and support transitions towards preferred ways of relating. With a background in conflict resolution and utilizing a systemic lens, Marion helps her clients identify values and goals, challenge unhelpful or old patterns, and co-create the conditions required for change. She has extensive experience supporting families navigate – or recover from – crisis, loss and other significant challenges.

Populations: Youth (age 13+), Adults, Couples, Families; all genders and sexual orientations.

Specializations: Trauma (accidents, childhood trauma, violence, vicarious trauma), PTSD/CPTSD, Grief & Loss, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation concerns.

Beyond the Work: In her free time, Marion enjoys the arts, learning about music, and getting outdoors which she believes plays a crucial role in maintaining her own mental and emotional well-being.

Marion Orr, Canadian Certified Counsellor at NeurAlive Counselling & Neurofeedback. Accepting New Clients In Victoria and Virtually.

“Therapy is a creative pursuit. It can be fun, engaging, challenging, and rewarding. We can acco... Read More

Sophia is passionate about the role of interpersonal relationships in well-being, and believes that the quality of our relationships greatly influences our health and happiness.

Sophia works with both individuals and couples as an Intern Counsellor at NeurAlive. Having trained in the PREP (Preventative & Relationship Education Program) approach to couples therapy, Sophia works closely with couples to address the challenges that can often arise in our intimate relationships, including the loss of trust, emotional disconnect and the danger signs to be aware of, hidden issues that undermine our connections and understanding of one another, expectations, infidelity, and road-mapping for the future. Even though the difficulties in relationships can be uncomfortable at times and leave us feeling hopeless, Sophia sees these challenges as valuable opportunities for healing and growth.

Throughout the therapeutic process, Sophia enjoys collaborating with her clients and supporting them to achieve their desired outcomes, and in approaching well-being from a relational framework, aims to empower clients to learn about and express their needs, and to create environments where those needs can be met. Through this work, she supports individuals and couples in fostering satisfying, safe, and meaningful relationships.

Drawing from attachment theory, Sophia’s approach considers how each individual’s early life development and family history influences their present day relationships. Acknowledging the foundational role of effective communication and regulation of the nervous system in cultivating healthy relationships, she incorporates a variety of therapeutic tools that promote emotional regulation, mindfulness, and safe communication. This enables clients to explore more deeply the role their background and upbringing has in their current relationships. It also helps to foster a greater understanding of what drives behaviours and coping strategies. Through this process, clients can increase their self-compassion, empathy for others, and sense of personal empowerment to create positive change in their lives and relationships.

Through Sophia’s professional and educational experiences she’s developed a keen interest for relating to others, and a strong understanding of group dynamics. Her work with children influences her passion for couples counselling as she is fascinated by the way families present to their children the blue-prints for future adult relationships. She also believes that adult relationships can be an avenue for the healing of childhood and generational trauma.

Specializations: Relationships, Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Distress, Attachment and Early-Life Influences, and Grief and Loss.

Populations: Adults, Couples.

Education and Work Experience: Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently completing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria. Her Master’s thesis focuses on ethics, intimate partner violence, and gender, specifically the ethical practices and challenges of therapy while counselling men who experience domestic violence. Sophia also has a background working with at-risk children and youth in residential and community settings.

Beyond the Work: When she is not providing counselling services for clients or working on her thesis, Sophia enjoys spending time in nature, and cooking with friends.

Sophia is passionate about the role of interpersonal relationships in well-being, and believes th... Read More

Corinne leads our Neurofeedback Program in both Victoria and Langford on Tuesdays and Thursdays. New clients must first have a consultation with Brenden Bentley-Taylor. This session may be booked for ongoing sessions only after your consultation and first session.

Corinne brings 20 years experience in social work and mental health including in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings to her role as a Neurofeedback Practitioner at NeurAlive. She is passionate about helping people of all ages to find balance and healing in their nervous systems as they overcome obstacles and achieve a life of purpose, enhanced resiliency, performance and well-being.

Corinne holds a Master in Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health, a Bachelor of Social Work focusing on Anti-oppressive practice, and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology. She has also worked in private practice incorporating a number of different therapeutic modalities including CBT, ACT & Mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing (SE). Corinne is a lover of movement, connection and community, having been a yoga teacher for 12 years. She is fascinated by the role of the brain and the nervous system in healing and especially excited to bring the power of neurofeedback to the Victoria community.

Starting with NeurAlive in March 2024, Corinne is being mentored by NeurAlive’s founders, Elinor and Brenden Taylor.

Corinne leads our Neurofeedback Program in both Victoria and Langford on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ... Read More

Tali Barclay works with youth (16+), adults and couples and specializes in integrative, trauma-informed treatment for a broad range of psychological difficulties, including: PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and relationship concerns.

Tali uses an evidence-based, integrative approach to treatment, drawing on a number of therapeutic techniques (e.g., cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal, and emotion-focused therapies) to address clients’ distinct needs and goals. She works compassionately and collaboratively with her clients both virtually and in person.

Tali is passionate about helping individuals prevent operational stress from causing lasting psychological injury. Tali has a particular interest in supporting first responders and those experiencing acute or accumulative, occupational stress and trauma. Operational stress can present as burnout, increased fatigue, anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep and hyper/hypoarousal. Tali has extensive experience treating police officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, nurses, and military. Her utilization of trauma-focused modalities fosters a therapeutic environment to address trauma-related symptoms, stress, burnout and cultivate mental health resilience.

Tali is a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW). Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Development.

Tali is passionate about helping youth (16+), adults and couples.

Tali Barclay works with youth (16+), adults and couples and specializes in integrative, trauma-in... Read More

My approach to clinical counseling and art therapy evolves from over twenty years of witnessing and working alongside children, youth, and caregivers as they explore change and welcome hope.

Life can take us down many paths; sometimes full of light but sometimes solitary, where safe connections with others can feel unreachable. As a therapist, my goal is to provide a collaborative space for exploring these paths with safety and acceptance. Guided by trust and the remarkable courage of clients, I’ve witnessed positive changes unfold in diverse ways.

In my role as a registered clinical counsellor and art therapist, I support children, youth, adults, and caregivers navigating life transitions, grief, loss, mental health challenges, and those who have encountered interpersonal violence, domestic violence, and trauma.

My academic background includes a graduate counselling degree from the University of Victoria and graduate-level art therapy training from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. I have 20 years of experience as a clinical counsellor and art therapist, notably with children and youth at the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre and families of the Tahltan Nation in northern BC.

Approaching counselling with compassion and curiosity, I embrace diverse methods tailored to the unique strengths, needs, and expertise of my clients. Drawing from relational, client-centred, and trauma-informed theories, I integrate evidence-based modalities acquired through art therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), and somatic therapy.

My therapeutic approach for adults and youth aged 16+ emphasizes collaboration, choice, and establishing an authentic therapeutic relationship. I provide support for those dealing with trauma, violence, parenting challenges, grief, loss, and anxiety. My practice incorporates somatic attachment psychotherapy, which I recently acquired through the two-year Bringing the Body into Practice (BBP) training.

For children facing difficulty expressing their emotions verbally, I employ a combination of art therapy and expressive play, fostering self-expression and self-awareness. In cases involving younger children, involving caregivers in the therapeutic process is integral to fostering positive change. Additionally, I provide caregivers with practical skills to enhance communication and connection within their families beyond therapy sessions.

In creating a therapeutic space, I prioritize honouring strengths and diversity while acknowledging experiences of marginalization and intergenerational trauma with compassion. Values such as relationships, creativity, lifelong learning, and self-awareness guide my practice. Grateful for the wisdom of my teachers, I acknowledge that I work, live, and raise my family on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, represented by the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.

Beyond my work, I’m a doctoral student at the University of Victoria. My inspiration comes from my family, the serenity of green open spaces, and the boundless realm of creativity, all of which contribute to my sense of balance and grounding.

My approach to clinical counseling and art therapy evolves from over twenty years of witnessing a... Read More

Alice is a Registered Social Worker and play/art therapist who specializes in working with adults, children & youth (ages 3+), as well as their families. Alice has worked with adults, children, youth and families for over ten years. Approaching her work from a growth mindset, she recognizes each individual’s capacity for growth and change and believes that every individual and child is unique and sacred.

Alice has a natural empathy towards people and desire to support individuals in their general well being. Utilizing evidence based therapies as well as play therapy – a form of counselling that allows children to work through their challenges via their natural medium of expressive play – Alice creates a relationship with every client in which they feel seen and accepted. Alice champions the power of family and believes that cultivating a strong and supportive relationship between child and parent(s) or caregiver(s) is one of the most important parts of the therapeutic process. She supports parents to draw upon their strengths and values to deepen their understanding and connection with their children of all ages.

Alice draws from both directive and non-directive therapy approaches, including: child-centred, Adlerian, and cognitive based therapies; attachment theory; compassion focused, and strengths-based approaches; and art therapy. With a focus on strengthening inner abilities, Alice supports individuals and children to increase both social and emotional functioning in the face of challenges including: adoption, behavioural and emotional challenges, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, and attachment.

Having worked in the field of adoption for several years, Alice supported families through their process of adoption, and worked as a family counsellor for Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society and Urban Native Youth Association. Alice was fortunate to train under Indigenous elders both in her education and practice, and her approach to working with Indigenous children and families is rooted in a culturally relevant and trauma-informed approach.

Through personal experience, Alice is also passionate about supporting individuals and couples through the process of infertility and assisted reproduction.

Alice is a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BC CSW), and holds a Master of Social Work Degree, from York University in Toronto. In addition, she completed a Bachelor of Social Work, at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, BC’s Indigenous Post Secondary Training Institute, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, at Simon Fraser University. Alice is a member of the BC Association of Play Therapists (BCPTA) and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS).

Outside of work, Alice finds joy being with her partner and two children. She enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors exploring the forests of Vancouver Island. She loves to read fiction and non-fiction and explore creative endeavours

Alice is a Registered Social Worker and play/art therapist who specializes in working with adults... Read More

Brenden is both NeurAlive’s Clinical Director and a Registered Clinical Counsellor dedicated to helping couples overcome their challenges and restore a sense of joy, trust and intimacy to their relationship. He also champions supporting couples in their roles as parents.

Currently Brenden is especially excited about offering his services to couples in an intensive format. These are four to six-hour sessions during which couples are supported to safely dive deeply into the underlying causes of discontentment in their relationship, and to begin developing a foundation of skills for communication, healing and connecting in day-to-day life. These intensives can be followed by individual sessions on a weekly basis or as needed.

Whether working with Brenden intensively or in individual couples sessions, Brenden’s approach combines both psycho-therapeutic and psycho-educational components. This means at times therapy will be the focus in the session and may include uncovering and sharing feelings, clarifying beliefs and values, and recognizing unhealthy patterns. Other times education will be the focus in the session, meaning learning new concepts and frameworks, practicing skills, and debriefing application of skills and concepts from outside of sessions. These two approaches are necessary in order to unpack and process existing challenges, while also growing and evolving the relationship by adding new insights and abilities.

Brenden’s educational background includes specialized training in Relationship Counselling from the University of Denver, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Child & Youth Care from the University of Victoria. Such education gives Brenden a keen sense of how our early childhood development impacts us as adults in relationships, which is often necessary to explore to varying degrees in the therapeutic process. Moreover, Brenden is well-equipped to help parents connect with their children of all ages, and to guide their optimal development.

Brenden is both NeurAlive’s Clinical Director and a Registered Clinical Counsellor dedicated to h... Read More

NeurAlive’s community neurofeedback clinic is run by our administrative team on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Langford and Victoria. People without extended health benefits, who find the regular prices prohibitive, are welcome to book sessions at a limit of once per week for up to 20 sessions in the first year and 10 sessions each year following.

NeurAlive’s community neurofeedback clinic is run by our administrative team on Tuesday and Thurs... Read More

Elinor Taylor is a Co-Founder/Director of NeurAlive and leads the neurofeedback program in Victoria & Langford. If you’re a new client, please first book a consultation with our intake team.

Elinor Taylor is a Co-Founder/Director of NeurAlive and leads the neurofeedback program in Victor... Read More