Elinor Taylor has brought the life changing benefits of neurofeedback brain-training to the Victoria community for almost a decade. Sessions with Elinor are covered by extended health benefits. Please start with a consultation with our intake team if you’re interested in accessing neurofeedback.

Elinor Taylor has brought the life changing benefits of neurofeedback brain-training to the Victo... 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

Cheryl offers valuable insights into interpersonal relationships and how they shape our overall well-being. She specializes in parenting issues, women’s mental health, loneliness, and relationship challenges. Cheryl is passionate about empowering clients to overcome obstacles, identify strengths, build resilience, and cultivate healthier, more fulfilling lives.

As an intern counsellor at NeurAlive, Cheryl is dedicated to guiding individuals through life’s challenges and fostering personal growth. With a rich background in facilitating workshops for families and communities, she understands the complexities and dynamics that shape human connections and influence well-being.

While Cheryl works with a number of mental health difficulties, she has a special focus on the following areas:

Parenting Support or Parent-Child Support: Having raised three children and facilitated parenting workshops, Cheryl offers compassionate support to parents navigating the challenges and joys of raising children. She helps parents understand how their own upbringing may be impacting their current parenting approach. Through this process of self-discovery, she helps parents recognize and shift unhelpful communication and behaviour patterns, strengthen the parent-child connection and cultivate greater self compassion. Cheryl believes this understanding paves the way for healing, growth, and more conscious, intentional parenting.

Women’s Mental Health: Cheryl provides a supportive space for women navigating life’s transitions and the unique challenges they bring. She helps women overcome postpartum challenges, adjust to motherhood, navigate aging and menopause, cope with empty nest syndrome, manage career changes, and find greater balance between work and family life.

Relationship Counselling: Cheryl recognizes that intimate relationships can have many challenges, especially longer term ones. She empowers couples to build stronger, more connected and fulfilling relationships by improving communication, resolving conflict constructively and rekindling intimacy.

Anxiety (Including Climate Change Anxiety): Cheryl understands the very real anxieties many of us face today- much of it stemming from an uncertain world grappling with big issues like climate change, economic disparities and social and political unrest. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in urban environmental work, she provides empathy and an open and caring space to explore the roots of anxiety. Cheryl helps clients develop skills to manage stress effectively and cultivate a greater sense of calm and resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Approaches: Mindfulness and Somatic Based Practices, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy.

Specializations: Parenting Issues, Women’s Mental Health, Anxiety, Climate Change Anxiety, Loneliness, Communication and Relationship Challenges.

Populations: Youth (14+), Adults, Parents, Families and Couples.

Education and Work Experience: Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Community and Regional Planning, and is currently pursuing a Master of Counselling degree at City University of Seattle. Cheryl has a rich history of training and volunteering with Living in Families Effectively (L.I.F.E.) seminars, helping parents and couples enhance their relationships and parenting skills. Her experience also spans urban environmental issues and community development projects aimed at combating loneliness and fostering neighbourly connections.

Beyond the Work: With her three young adults now off on their own, Cheryl has more time to deepen her skills to better support her clients. Outside of counselling, she maintains a yoga practice and enjoys time outdoors with her husband of 25 years, kayaking, hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, gardening and walking their dog. Cheryl is also dedicated to nurturing strong connections with her extended family, friends and neighbours.

Cheryl offers valuable insights into interpersonal relationships and how they shape our overall w... Read More

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 (14+) & 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

NeurAlive’s Community Neurofeedback Clinic offers NeurOptimal brain training on a sliding scale, managed by our certified administrative team. This clinic is accessible to everyone, regardless of income, with session rates between $40 and $90, payable at the front desk. Please note that these sessions are not covered by extended health benefits.

After every 10 sessions, clients can schedule a complimentary 20-minute check-in with our Clinical Level Neurofeedback Providers to review their progress; appointments can be arranged at reception.

To get started with the Community Neurofeedback Clinic, a consultation with our Intake Team is required. You can book this consultation using the link in the message above this page.

NeurAlive’s Community Neurofeedback Clinic offers NeurOptimal brain training on a sliding scale, ... 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

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 Registered Clinical Counsellor registered through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors . 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, Registered Clinical 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

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

New to NeurAlive with ample availability.

Specializing in working with adults, couples, parents and youth, I aim to create a space where you can truly be yourself — free to explore your emotions, challenges, and personal growth. My approach combines lighthearted humor with deep empathy, allowing you to navigate life’s difficulties with both clarity and comfort.

Whether you’re struggling with relationships, processing trauma, or looking for practical tools for everyday life, I’m here to support your journey to healing and balance. I take a holistic approach to therapy, drawing on my training as a certified holistic health coach and my clinical counselling background. Let’s work together to discover your unique path to healing, growth, and fulfillment — at your pace and on your terms.

The following are some of the key areas of my counselling practice:

Relationships and Intimacy: I work with individuals and couples on navigating romantic relationships, intimacy, communication, and the unique challenges that arise in committed partnerships, such as trust issues, emotional disconnect, infidelity, and differing life goals. I primarily utilize the Gottman Method for couples work, while also considering how the attachment in our early years to primary caregivers affects our adult relationships.

Parenting: I support mothers, new parents, and couples preparing to grow their family by addressing challenges like perinatal mental health, postpartum depression, and parenting stress. Together, we’ll build strategies to foster confidence, connection, and balance during this transformative stage of life.

Trauma & Healing: I specialize in supporting individuals who have experienced sexualized violence or abuse, creating a compassionate space to process and heal from these wounds. My work is influenced by Response-Based Practice (RBP), a theory that focuses on individual acts of resistance against violence and oppression.

ADHD: I support clients with ADHD by offering tools and strategies to manage attention, organization, and focus, helping to create structure and self-regulation.

Digital Health & Technology Use: For clients struggling with phone and internet use, we discuss strategies for mindful engagement and explore the personal side of technology use.

Approaches: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

Populations: Adults, Couples, Parents, and Youth (16+).

Specializations: Relationships, Intimacy, Marriage, Parenting, Fertility, Past Sexualized-Violence/Abuse, ADHD, Women’s Mental Health, and Phone and Internet Use.

Education/Experience: I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling degree, Gottman Therapy Level 2 certification, and a rich background in mental health, trauma, and holistic wellness. My graduating thesis explored the connection between intensive mothering and social media and I am endlessly fascinated by the role technology plays in our mental health. I was lucky enough to complete my practicum working at the Centre for Response-Based Practice in Kamloops BC, where I focused on working with victims of violence and oppression.

Beyond the Work: Outside of therapy, I’m a dancer and love spending time in nature with my family. My husband and I share our life with our little girl, who brings laughter and energy to our days. We enjoy sea kayaking, backpacking in Strathcona, and of course, savoring a good cup of coffee together. For me, family, balance, and connection are everything, and I carry that energy into my work with clients.

New to NeurAlive with ample availability. Specializing in working with adults, couples, parents ... Read More

Anna is currently not accepting new child or youth clients and has a waitlist with an estimated wait time of approximately 8 weeks. Please contact our office at 250-389-2819 if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

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.

Anna is currently not accepting new child or youth clients and has a waitlist with an estimated w... Read More

Brenden is NeurAlive’s Clinical Director, Intake Coordinator 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.

Couples Counselling: Managing our intimate relationships to ensure they are healthy, attuned, and capable of growth is perhaps one of the most important investments we can make. However, none of us is provided with the ultimate “How-To” book to ensure we are tending to ourselves and our loved ones in this way. This is where couples counselling can help. Brenden provides relationship-specific support for couples struggling in various areas, including communication, emotional attunement, infidelity, trust building, power struggles, and planning for the future.

Brenden’s approach combines both psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational components. This means that at times, therapy will focus on uncovering and sharing feelings, clarifying beliefs and values, and recognizing unhealthy patterns. At other times, education will be the focus, involving learning new concepts and frameworks, practicing skills, and debriefing the application of skills and concepts outside of sessions. These two approaches are necessary to unpack and process existing challenges while also growing and evolving the relationship by adding new insights and abilities.

Couples Intensives: Sometimes, a one-hour couples session doesn’t quite feel sufficient to make headway with some of the core challenges you’re facing. To support couples who wish to delve deeper into their relationship struggles without the time restrictions of shorter sessions, Brenden offers an intensive format. These four- to six-hour sessions are designed specifically to help couples safely dive deeper into the underlying causes of discontentment in their relationship and 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.

Individual Client Sessions for Relationship Support: It is not uncommon for individuals to want to work on themselves with the intention of helping their relationship. Brenden provides individual counselling sessions for those who wish to explore their beliefs and behaviours in relationships and create the changes that will allow them to be a better version of themselves for their partner. Areas to explore can include family of origin, attachment tendencies, personality, motivations toward or away from certain behaviours, and skill-building such as effective communication, managing conflict, building trust, and expressing boundaries in healthy ways. Oftentimes, following the end of a relationship can be an important time to reflect on what you’ve learned – what worked, what didn’t, what needs to change – and to do a personal “update” so you are a more consciously evolved version of yourself for the next relationship.

Parenting: Similar to what couples face, we are not provided a “How-To” booklet when we become parents. Helping a child develop a strong and secure attachment, fostering an understanding of love and respect, and supporting healthy identity development are all key aspects of effective parenting. Working with your child’s nervous system, building their autonomy, encouraging a love of learning, and teaching responsibility and accountability are within reach, but at times may need further clarifying and support to be enacted well, particularly as your child grows through different ages and stages of their development.

Additionally, it is the parents who are willing to explore themselves and how they learned to be a parent – and who are open to making necessary changes for the betterment of the relationship – who are going to find this type of counselling a fruitful endeavour. Whether you’re seeking help with early years parenting or with a child who is an adolescent or young adult, Brenden will tailor his sessions to ensure you’re working on the specific areas of your parent-child relationship that require attention.

Young Adults & Self-Discovery: Who am I? What are my passions? Where do I belong? Who do I want to be? These are very important questions that often naturally arise as we grow and develop. However, they can also create anxiety and a sense of hopelessness if not given a useful direction to channel energy toward. Brenden spent many years exploring and crafting his own identity through examining his past, seeking to understand his beliefs, and becoming more attuned to who and what he brings into his life, and what he keeps out. We are constantly in a state of being and becoming. All of these factors play into who we are and we can consciously take the reins of our lives and create the life we would love to live. Every moment is a chance to learn and evolve, and Brenden supports his clients to create clear intention for themselves, to prioritize what brings them joy and happiness, to forge a belief in themselves, and to commit to viewing difficulties or ‘failures’ as opportunities for growth. These are some of the key approaches that can make all the difference in how we carry ourselves into our future.

Approaches: CBT, Attachment, Parenting, and Couples Therapy using PREP (Prevention & Relationship Education Program).

Populations: Adults, Parents and Couples.

Specializations: Relationship Challenges, Parenting, Emotional Regulation Struggles, Communication Difficulties, Life Transitions, Self-Discovery and Isolation and Loneliness.

Work & Educational Background: 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 Co-Founder and Director of NeurAlive alongside his beloved wife, Elinor Taylor.

Personal Background: Born in Perth, Australia, Brenden moved frequently with his family, living in several Southeast Asian countries as a child and throughout his 20s including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Christmas Island. Living a transient life resulted in a lot of soul-searching, self-discovery, and seeking answers to the larger questions in life, such as: What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? Where can I find a true sense of belonging? How can people become the greatest version of themselves? Throughout his travels, Brenden both witnessed and experienced relationships with people of many different cultural backgrounds, taking note of the impact that cultural and personal belief systems have on the ways in which people relate to their significant other. He developed a keen interest and curiosity in why some relationships work and why others don’t, and began searching for the catalyst. These explorations, coupled with his training and direct experience, have equipped Brenden with the observation skills to sharply hone in on any dynamics at play in a relationship. This is followed by his ability to gently but confidently guide couples towards the life they envision together.

Brenden is NeurAlive’s Clinical Director, Intake Coordinator and a Registered Clinical Counsellor... Read More