Meet the Team
Scroll Down for the AVAILABLE COUNSELLORS & THERAPISTS
Mike Cole, RIP
Inspiration for
Reach Out in the Kootenays
Sara Spicer & Lonny Stefanyk
Lead Initiators
for
REACH OUT in the Kootenay
Alon Gelcer
Co-Creator at REACH OUT
Therapist and Coach at Insight Quest
Lauren Heckley
Co-Creator for REACH OUT
Counsellor at "Counselling With Lauren"
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Sijay James
Website Design
for Reach Out
Deena from Graceful Coaching
1. My training and years of experience:
A trauma-informed holistic healer, I have lived with chronic pain for over 15 years and trauma since infancy, working in the wellness field since 2015 as well as facilitating a no-cost chronic pain support & education group since 2018. My certifications and training include 1st & 2nd degree Reiki in the spiritual lineage of Usui, Hayashi, Takata and Furomoto; Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); Movement for Trauma level 1; Embodied Wonderment Method modules 1-3; motivational interviewing; reflexology; and a plethora of other knowledge and skills gathered from workshops, books, friends, loved ones, teachers of Life,
and my own lived experience, listening to my bodymind and integrating healing.
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2. My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
I offer client-centered, LGBTQ+ friendly coaching from a compassionate, trauma-informed landscape, providing you with a landing place to heal by embracing your innate worthiness and exploring hidden gems. I focus on disability, integration, and self-care coaching. My specialties include living joyfully in a disabled bodymind, mindfulness and embodiment practices, intrinsic health, nervous system education & hacks, and dismantling ableism.
I am drawn to the space of allowing, nurturing, and integrating experiences (including ease, discomfort, overwhelm, pain and trauma). I can support you to embody what is actually happening and find/ practice the right supports for you and your healing journey. With a foundation of compassionate exchange, normalizing experiences and harm-reduction, I am here to support you and your well-being unconditionally, without fixing or saving you. I strive to take a decolonial intersectional approach, creating safer, more accessible spaces. Come learn, play and integrate day to day life and transformations: the power to heal is already within you.
Visit https://www.gracefulcoaching.ca/ for more information.
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3. In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
I offer coaching sessions on zoom.
Groups and workshops are offered in person, on zoom, and a hybrid of in-person/ online.
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4. If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Nelson, BC
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5. I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
I commit to REACH OUT's request of one free client/year or 10 free sessions/year and beyond that, sliding scale rates are $5 - 50 an hour.
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6. How to book with me:
Free 30 minute consult, email info@gracefulcoaching.ca
Matty Hillman
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My training and years of experience:
I've been supporting children, youth and families in the West Kootenays for the last 15 years. I've been a faculty member in the School of Health and Human Services at Selkirk College and a community mental health educator and an anti-violence trainer for the last 5 years. My background and research interests include youth mentorship, healthy masculinities, and community-based art projects.
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2. My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
I practice from a strength-based, humanistic and client-centered approach to counselling. I strive to normalize challenges, identify social and cultural factors and consider the holistic individual.
3. In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
Zoom is preferred.
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4. I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low cost $20-$50
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5. How to book with me:
Contact: mattyhillman@gmail.com
Sarah Simonet
My training and years of experience:
BA in Psychology with extensive training in alternative/meridian based therapies.
20 years experience with a specialization in trauma and abuse.
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My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
Trauma therapist and Energy Healing.
Healing focused (less talk, more healing) using Reiki and Emotional Acupressure.
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In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
In-person (local) and Zoom (non-local).
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If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Nelson area.
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I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low cost.
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How to book with me:
FreedomwithShiela.com
Sarah Simonet
Accounts Payable Specialist
for Reach Out
Sarah Simonet
Accounts Payable Specialist
for Reach Out
Laura Buchanan BSW MSW
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My training and years of experience:
I have a BSW and an MSW as well as certification as a somatic therapist. I've been in the field since 2010, first at ANKORS as their support person/outreach and now I am part of the Primary Care Network offering counselling to the patients of Kootenay Medical Center. I also have a private counselling practice in Nelson.
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My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
My counselling experience lies in communication, power and relationships, anxiety, depression, anger and grief; my therapeutic approach is grounded in social justice, decolonization, and allyship which shapes how I provide anti-oppressive, trauma-informed and gender affirming care. I practice from a strengths-based approach and utilize the principles of healing centered harm reduction. With a mind to what is working in people’s lives, a strengths-based approach uses a collaborative relationship to gather information and support people to make informed choices, drawing on strengths and assets. Healing centered harm reduction understands that people perceive and experience the world differently and values holding space and time for connection and making space for possibility.
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In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
Zoom, phone, text.
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If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
My office is in Nelson
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I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
I commit to REACH OUT's request of one free client/year or 10 free sessions/year
and beyond that,... For now, due to my availability, I’m just providing the initial pro bono requirements (10-12 sessions – 1 per month).
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How to book with me: