About Us
Our Team
Catharine Andrew
I became a west coaster in 1981. I feel fortunate to have the sea, trees and wildlife at my doorstep and to call Vancouver Island home.
I find myself fostering a sense of ‘COMING HOME’ with my clients. This is the feeling of knowing oneself; being at rest with oneself; being grounded and having a general sense of wellbeing.
The old proverb “All roads lead to Rome” has been used since the Middle Ages,
and refers to the fact that the Roman Empire’s hundreds of roadways radiated
outwards from and returned to, the Italian capital city. The phrase has become “All roads lead to Home“ for me in my practice.
“…there is in the individuation processes of almost everyone, at least a one-time and significant theft. Some define it as a larceny of love, or a robbing of one’s spirit, a weakening of the sense of self. – Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves
Our early growing up has such a powerful impact on how we see ourselves and the world. Our original family is the place where we learned who we were, how we were valued and loved; listened to and felt important; and all too frequently the home or homes where these things did not occur. This is where the healing occurs and where compassion and forgiveness can lead back to being whole again.
The many small and big events that have you hurt and shaken can be healed. Understanding and unpacking their meaning and deciding on a new life story is a journey of coming home to oneself.
I have been a therapist, child, youth & family practitioner and educator for over 35 years. During those years I have worked in a wide range of settings including not-for-profit community agencies, residential treatment centres, group homes, clinical programs, public schools, post-secondary institutions, and private practice. I am a Vancouver Island University retired faculty member where I taught in the Human Services, Child & Youth Care Program for 15 years and in Student Services Counselling for 6 years. I have maintained a private practice in Nanaimo since 1994.
I work with individuals, couples, children, youth and families of all ages who are experiencing anxiety; depression; self esteem; trauma & loss; PTSD; relationship difficulties; separation & divorce; blending families; parenting; LGBTQ; transgender; and issues of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I support those who have experienced injustices, discrimination or racism based on their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. I work with the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Arts in Applied Behavioural Science from LIOS (Leadership Institute of Seattle) City University, Seattle, Washington (1994).
I am a member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, Registered Clinical Counsellor (#1214); a Canadian Professional Counsellors Association, Qualified Clinical Supervisor; and a member of EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing International Association), Certified EMDR Therapist.
LINDSAY ROSS
Hello, welcome, and thanks for stopping by, my name is Lindsay. I’d like to share a bit about myself to help you know me a bit better. I recently completed the Master of Counselling program from Athabasca University. Along with a Master of Counselling, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in Anthropology and Psychology from Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College).
My passion for working with children, youth, and families has afforded me over 15 years’ experience supporting this demographic. During those years, I worked in a wide range of settings including community agencies as a volunteer counsellor, public schools, in youth and preschool programs, education support programs, private practice, and for a not-for-profit agency.
I have trained in Early Childhood Education, Sociocultural and Systemic Influences on Counselling, and Counselling Couples and Families. I have a particular interest in counselling from a Narrative and Solution-Focused lens and recently became a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
I am joining Catharine in a private counselling practice in Nanaimo, BC. Within my practice, I work with individuals, couples, children, youth, and families who are experiencing a variety of concerns. Such concerns include anxiety, depression, trauma and loss, relationship difficulties, parenting, youth issues, and issues of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
I am committed to ongoing professional development to remain current about emerging therapeutic ideas. I believe in working collaboratively with people to help them bring compassion and understanding to their concerns. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you moving towards the healthiest version of yourself.
“I believe in the innate good in others, offering you unconditional positive regard and supporting you to develop. In doing so, I hope you will gain a deepened life satisfaction and joy. I believe that the beauty or disdain we see in and feel from situations/interactions is contextual and largely based on our own set of past early experiences.” – Lindsay
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Max Planck
ARC Philosophy
We as human beings create narratives or stories about our experiences and ourselves. This helps us bring meaning to our lives. Some of these stories are positive, however, many are not. We co-create our stories usually beginning when we are very young and with the important people in our lives. If we have experienced trauma or criticism as a child, we often create stories or narratives that include ideas such as: we aren’t good enough; things are our fault; we are unworthy, helpless or powerless.
We like to think of counselling as a process of people telling their stories that are initially heavy with sadness and discouragement and transforming them to a better and more empowered endings.
Andrew & Ross Counselling or ARC as a metaphor represents part of our philosophy of change. The ‘arc’ is a literary device used by some authors to describe their protagonist’s journey. Characters often start out in a place of comfort, then they are required to face challenges and significant changes, and then come back to themselves again, thus forming an ‘arc’. Such a transformation is an inner journey of the character over the course of the writer’s story. We see similar life journeys in our counselling practice. We support people to develop a positive view of the world and themselves by the end of their story.
A Curious, Compassionate, Collaborative & Constructive counselling experience (the four “C’s” of our counselling practice) allows a person to positively change their stories and themselves.
Therapies & Areas of Practice
We are person & family centred and use a variety of therapeutic approaches including:
- Narrative Counselling
- Solution Focused Counselling
- Family Systems Counselling
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)
- Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
- Support for Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindful Self-Compassion Practice
- Social Justice Focus – We support those who have experienced injustices, discrimination or racism based on their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
About Us
Our Team
Catharine Andrew
I became a west coaster in 1981. I feel fortunate to have the sea, trees and wildlife at my doorstep and to call Vancouver Island home.
I find myself fostering a sense of ‘COMING HOME’ with my clients. This is the feeling of knowing oneself; being at rest with oneself; being grounded and having a general sense of wellbeing.
The old proverb “All roads lead to Rome” has been used since the Middle Ages,
and refers to the fact that the Roman Empire’s hundreds of roadways radiated
outwards from and returned to, the Italian capital city. The phrase has become “All roads lead to Home“ for me in my practice.
“…there is in the individuation processes of almost everyone, at least a one-time and significant theft. Some define it as a larceny of love, or a robbing of one’s spirit, a weakening of the sense of self. – Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves
Our early growing up has such a powerful impact on how we see ourselves and the world. Our original family is the place where we learned who we were, how we were valued and loved; listened to and felt important; and all too frequently the home or homes where these things did not occur. This is where the healing occurs and where compassion and forgiveness can lead back to being whole again.
The many small and big events that have you hurt and shaken can be healed. Understanding and unpacking their meaning and deciding on a new life story is a journey of coming home to oneself.
I have been a therapist, child, youth & family practitioner and educator for over 35 years. During those years I have worked in a wide range of settings including not-for-profit community agencies, residential treatment centres, group homes, clinical programs, public schools, post-secondary institutions, and private practice. I am a Vancouver Island University retired faculty member where I taught in the Human Services, Child & Youth Care Program for 15 years and in Student Services Counselling for 6 years. I have maintained a private practice in Nanaimo since 1994.
I work with individuals, couples, children, youth and families of all ages who are experiencing anxiety; depression; self esteem; trauma & loss; PTSD; relationship difficulties; separation & divorce; blending families; parenting; LGBTQ; transgender; and issues of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I support those who have experienced injustices, discrimination or racism based on their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. I work with the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Arts in Applied Behavioural Science from LIOS (Leadership Institute of Seattle) City University, Seattle, Washington (1994).
I am a member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, Registered Clinical Counsellor (#1214); a Canadian Professional Counsellors Association, Qualified Clinical Supervisor; and a member of EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing International Association), Certified EMDR Therapist.
LINDSAY ROSS
Hello, welcome, and thanks for stopping by, my name is Lindsay. I’d like to share a bit about myself to help you know me a bit better. I recently completed the Master of Counselling program from Athabasca University. Along with a Master of Counselling, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in Anthropology and Psychology from Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College).
My passion for working with children, youth, and families has afforded me over 15 years’ experience supporting this demographic. During those years, I worked in a wide range of settings including community agencies as a volunteer counsellor, public schools, in youth and preschool programs, education support programs, private practice, and for a not-for-profit agency.
I have trained in Early Childhood Education, Sociocultural and Systemic Influences on Counselling, and Counselling Couples and Families. I have a particular interest in counselling from a Narrative and Solution-Focused lens and recently became a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
I am joining Catharine in a private counselling practice in Nanaimo, BC. Within my practice, I work with individuals, couples, children, youth, and families who are experiencing a variety of concerns. Such concerns include anxiety, depression, trauma and loss, relationship difficulties, parenting, youth issues, and issues of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
I am committed to ongoing professional development to remain current about emerging therapeutic ideas. I believe in working collaboratively with people to help them bring compassion and understanding to their concerns. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you moving towards the healthiest version of yourself.
“I believe in the innate good in others, offering you unconditional positive regard and supporting you to develop. In doing so, I hope you will gain a deepened life satisfaction and joy. I believe that the beauty or disdain we see in and feel from situations/interactions is contextual and largely based on our own set of past early experiences.” – Lindsay
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Max Planck
ARC Philosophy
We as human beings create narratives or stories about our experiences and ourselves. This helps us bring meaning to our lives. Some of these stories are positive, however, many are not. We co-create our stories usually beginning when we are very young and with the important people in our lives. If we have experienced trauma or criticism as a child, we often create stories or narratives that include ideas such as: we aren’t good enough; things are our fault; we are unworthy, helpless or powerless.
We like to think of counselling as a process of people telling their stories that are initially heavy with sadness and discouragement and transforming them to a better and more empowered endings.
Andrew & Ross Counselling or ARC as a metaphor represents part of our philosophy of change. The ‘arc’ is a literary device used by some authors to describe their protagonist’s journey. Characters often start out in a place of comfort, then they are required to face challenges and significant changes, and then come back to themselves again, thus forming an ‘arc’. Such a transformation is an inner journey of the character over the course of the writer’s story. We see similar life journeys in our counselling practice. We support people to develop a positive view of the world and themselves by the end of their story.
A Curious, Compassionate, Collaborative & Constructive counselling experience (the four “C’s” of our counselling practice) allows a person to positively change their stories and themselves.
Therapies & Areas of Practice
We are person & family centred and use a variety of therapeutic approaches including:
- Narrative Counselling
- Solution Focused Counselling
- Family Systems Counselling
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)
- Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
- Support for Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindful Self-Compassion Practice
- Social Justice Focus – We support those who have experienced injustices, discrimination or racism based on their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
