Background

My name is Janet Shim and I am a registered clinical counsellor at Avery Therapy Centre.  Over the past decade, my role as a public servant for the provincial government has allowed me to experience meaningful engagement with citizens from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and life stages.  This invaluable experience has shaped my personal journey towards helping others seek clarity and direction, finding balance and a deeper understanding of oneself.  

 

I hold a master’s in counselling psychology from Yorkville University and an undergraduate degree in political science and international relations from the University of British Columbia.  Outside of counselling, I enjoy travelling, hiking, and spending time with family and my two pups.  I have had the privilege to travel to several countries in Asia and Europe over the past few years where my fondest memories of interacting with diverse cultures have had a profound effect on my compassion and humility for humanity across borders. 

 

Therapeutic Approach

I strive to provide a safe, non-judgemental, and compassionate environment for you to share your personal stories and experiences.  I hope to accompany you along your journey to explore any stuck or ambiguous feelings that many of us come across throughout various phases in our lives.  From a person-centered approach, we will work together to illuminate your existing strengths and sources of resilience that can be harnessed in your healing journey.  We will collaboratively discover what you need, as I draw from evidence-based strategies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness approaches.  

 

From a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and socially just lens, I am sensitive to how experiences in the social, cultural, and economic context affect our mental and physical health.  My goal is to support you in bringing awareness to patterns, emotions, behaviours, and environmental factors that may be hindering your ability to live a full, authentic, and meaningful life. 

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My availability can be found here.