ABOUT ATHINA
Athina graduated with her Master Degree in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columba Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC; Member #18204). She specializes in working with individual children (6+) and adults experiencing major life changes, including high conflict divorces and traumatic incidents.
Athina has had the honour of supporting numerous individuals in various community organizations, employee assistance programs, and clinical settings. Her passion and focus are to bring practical tools and techniques for the intentional, purposeful, and deliberate purpose of supporting and instigating change in individuals, leading to healthier experiences and outcomes.
Athina is committed to maintaining a practice that is sensitive to diversity and dedicated to client advocacy. Taking on a collaborative and client-centred approach, Athina can come alongside you and bring her skills and expertise to a shared, intentional journey.
GET TO KNOW ATHINA
ATHINA'S WORKING APPROACHES
Athina’s goal is to support clients alongside their experiences, meeting clients where they are in their therapeutic journey. Athina’s therapeutic approaches are evidence-based and vary according to the client’s needs: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Career Counselling and Assessments, Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), Family Reunification Therapy (FRT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Play-Based CBT and Social Skill Development, Narrative Therapy, Emotional Regulation Skills, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples. Athina is also approved and registered with Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP).
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used approach for anxiety, depression, and other challenges. Focusing on challenging and changing unhelpful self-talk patterns, clients work alongside their counsellor to explore and reframe their own beliefs and perceptions about themselves. Offering many skills and tools, CBT offers the opportunity to engage in continuous learning within and outside of sessions. Research indicates that this form of therapy is highly effective for anxiety and depression.
TRAUMATIC INCIDENT REDUCTION
Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a method of effectively reducing traumatic stress from emotional and/or physical events in the past and re-experiencing previous traumas in a safe, non-judgemental, and deliberate environment. Through TIR, clients can fully examine traumatic incidents that have been blocked, increasing resiliency, and decreasing resistance to painful emotional and/or negative thought patterns contained in that past trauma.
Family Reunification Therapy (FRT) is a form of therapy offered to families who experience separation, divorce, or conflict, where one or both parents may have experienced collateral damage with their children or ex-partner in a manner not expected or intended. Through FRT, parents, and children learn to resolve their hostile conflict, allowing then to reunite the entire family in a positive, secure, respectful, and trustful way.
Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods that apply the therapeutic benefit of play. Building on the natural way that children learn about themselves and others, play therapy supports children in learning to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behaviour, and develop problem-solving skills. Research has found that play therapy provides children with a safe psychological distance from the presenting concerns or problems they experience, allowing children to express their thoughts and feelings in a manner that is appropriate to their development.
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
GOTTMAN THERAPY
FAMILY REUNIFICATION THERAPY
PLAY-BASED THERAPY
The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy include increasing closeness and friendship behaviours, addressing conflict productivity, and building a life of shared meaning together.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy. It's based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but it is specially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. The aim of DBT is to support you in finding ways to accept yourself, feel safe, and manage your emotions.
