Dena Marie Gysel, MEd, RCC
Counselling is a journey that enables you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, facilitating personal growth, self-awareness, healing, and positive change. This journey can help you gain insight into your experiences, develop coping strategies, and work towards resolving specific issues, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
My Philosophy
I am incredibly dedicated to providing authentic and compassionate support to others and aspire to create connections built on understanding and trust. My counselling approach is to create a safe, caring, and calm space for you to look at your life and to support you in finding some answers to “what’s going on”. My practice is informed by the principles of human psychology, connections in relationships, and lived experiences.
My primary therapy method used in session is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) which supports clients in getting to the root of their current concerns through the processing of trauma or other distressing experiences from the past. Other methods used are person-centered (the client is always the expert in their story), trauma informed (our past influences who we are), and emotionally focused (our emotions guide us).
My Approach
To support you on your journey, I have a Master’s in Education in Counselling from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), a professional association that has confidence in the experience and qualifications of their RCC’s. I am also an EMDR trained clinician and a member of EMDRIA (EMDR International Association). Additional training includes Person Centered Counselling, Solution Based Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
I have many years of experience working with youth and adults with social/emotional concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, communication challenges, boundary setting, and personal growth. I’m here to support individuals in exploring who they are, finding balance in their life, and healing in the process. Our time together will enable you to see that you have the strength to bring clarity to your issues, work through your concerns, and persevere to make the changes necessary to live the life that you want to live.
If you’re ready to explore your life in a new and meaningful way, please contact me so that we can arrange your 15-minute, at no cost, phone consultation and get you started on your journey.