Counselling & Psychotherapy

with Laurel Swenson, RCC

Accurate understanding creates more choice.

Therapy can help you make sense of the patterns that keep showing up, understand why they developed, and begin responding in ways that feel more grounded, intentional, and aligned with the life you want to be living.

How do you know if therapy might be helpful?

You may be holding things together on the outside, while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or worn down.

You might replay conversations after they’ve ended, second-guess your decisions, or worry about disappointing people. You may find it difficult to say no or feel responsible for everyone else’s needs.

You may be successful in many areas of your life, but privately wondering why some things still feel so difficult.

Or maybe you’ve simply grown tired of asking yourself:

“Why do I keep reacting this way?”

I work with adults and couples from a wide range of backgrounds. My approach is neuroscience informed, LGBTQ2S+ affirming, culturally sensitive, and grounded in respect for the many identities, relationships, families, and communities that shape people’s lives.

Before change, there is understanding.

Most people come to therapy because something is not working.

Low mood. Grief. Flatness. Relationship struggles. Burnout. Anxiety. Feeling stuck. Self-doubt. The quiet exhaustion of holding everything together.

These are important reasons to seek support.

But over time, therapy often becomes about something deeper than symptom relief.

As people begin to understand themselves more accurately, they often develop a different relationship with themselves:

• Less self-blame.

• More curiosity.

• More compassion.

• More ability to notice old patterns before those patterns take over.

Your patterns developed for a reason.

Many of the ways we think, feel, and relate developed for understandable reasons.

What looks like overthinking may have started as trying to stay prepared.

What looks like people-pleasing may have started as trying to stay connected.

What looks like shutting down may have started as trying not to become overwhelmed.

Patterns that once helped us cope can continue long after they stop being helpful. They can shape our relationships, confidence, emotions, and choices in ways we may not fully recognize.

Therapy is not about asking:

“What’s wrong with me?”

It is about asking:

“What makes sense about this?”

Together, we’ll explore your experiences, understand the patterns that developed along the way, and begin building new ways of responding that better fit who you are and how you want to live now.

How therapy helps

Therapy is more than talking about problems.

It is a collaborative process of understanding, learning, and change.

A strong therapy relationship matters. Feeling understood, respected, and emotionally safe creates the foundation for meaningful work.

My goal is to offer that kind of relationship.

My work is grounded in current psychological research and informed by what we continue to learn about the brain, the nervous system, attachment, emotions, and relationships.

Understanding is important.

But understanding alone is usually not enough.

Change develops through insight, new experiences, practice, and the gradual learning of new patterns.

Therapy is not about becoming a different person.

It is about becoming freer to respond in ways that better reflect who you are and how you want to live.

You may be a good fit for my practice if:

• You do not just want coping strategies. You want to make better sense of yourself.

• You are looking for meaningful, lasting change rather than quick fixes.

• You may function well on the outside, but privately struggle more than people realize.

• You keep repeating patterns you don’t fully understand.

• Your inner voice is mean and harsh. You wonder if you can shift it.

• You want healthier, more authentic relationships.

• You know earlier life experiences still affect you today, and want to understand them better.

• You feel exhausted by meeting everyone else’s needs and struggle to meet your own, or even to know what your needs are.

• You are tired of being so hard on yourself.

What begins to change?

As therapy progresses, people often describe subtle but important shifts.

• They notice self-critical thoughts without automatically believing them.

• They understand why conflict affects them so strongly.

• They find it easier to say no without overwhelming guilt.

• They become more aware of what their emotions and nervous system are trying to tell them.

• Relationships begin to feel less confusing.

• They respond more intentionally and less automatically.

Life does not become perfect.

But many people find they have more choice, greater confidence, and a kinder, more accurate understanding of themselves.

The goal is not perfection.

The goal is living with greater freedom, healthier relationships, and a stronger connection to yourself.

Taking the first step

Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable and finding the right therapist matters. It is important that you feel comfortable with the person you choose.

If you would like to talk, I offer a consultation where we can discuss what is bringing you to therapy, answer any questions you have, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.

You can reach out even if you’re not sure exactly what you need yet. Not knowing what you need but knowing you want to feel better is enough of a reason to seek the support of a counsellor.

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Laurel Swenson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) providing counselling and psychotherapy in Vancouver in-person and online.