Billie Sankey
Registered Clinical Counsellor
RCC
Here's what I believe.
I believe that the strongest of all human needs are love and belonging, and throughout our lives, people continuously grow through connections. At the core of those relationships, is a secure alliance with ourselves that is built through a commitment to self-reflection. Without these connections, and without a clear understanding of ourselves, it is easy to feel out of control, anxious, and uncertain. A safe and honest therapeutic relationship will promote this reflection and model healthy, engaging, and empathetic relationships with both ourselves and others.
Why I Care.
Every human deserves a space in which they can express themselves physically and emotionally in their most genuine passion. Finding somewhere and someone to provide you that space can be intimidating, and I am incredibly honoured to hold that space for the humans I work with.
We are all vastly different, however, my “why” for everyone will always remain that I care deeply about your identity and what makes you you. Regardless of why you’ve chosen to seek counselling, I will meet you where you are at and collaboratively with you towards your goals. I work with a wide range of people from teens, young adults, and couples. I am extremely passionate about serving the LGBTQ2S+ community in any capacity. Whether you’re seeking understanding and acceptance, experiencing anxiety or fear surrounding sharing your identity, going through a social or physical transition, or you just need a place where you can comfortably bring up your identity, I am happy to be that space for you. Together we can explore your needs and gain an understanding of what you can do to find fulfillment where it is lacking for you in a judgement free and supportive environment.
My clinical approach is centered around the choices we make to meet our needs and wants as individuals, and evaluating whether those choices are helping us or hindering us from achieving our goals. I believe that there are many reasons we all make the choices we do every day. We are all influenced by our values, beliefs, relationships, and societal pressures, so when we are able to reflect on our intentions, we can understand what is within our control and what is external to our control.
My Education & Credentials.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology from Thompson Rivers University in 2021 having planned to continue my schooling with a Bachelor of Education up until the final semester of my degree. After taking an Introduction to Canadian Counselling course at TRU, I realized that my true desire for wanting to work with other humans was the connection and relationship building offered through counselling. In the fall of that same year, I began my Master’s of Counselling through Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington with their Canadian based cohort located in Kelowna.
After a year of commuting, I made the decision to relocate to Kelowna to complete my degree as well as my ten-month practicum experience. Throughout my practicum I worked one on one with a wide range of individuals who came in with various presenting problems such as anxiety, gender identity and sexual orientation, ADHD, relationship concerns, work and familial boundaries. While attending classes and completing my practicum, I worked as a youth support worker where I supported young individuals in both full and part-time care who were experiencing various levels of mental health struggles.
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I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC as of September 2023 and a Gonzaga
University graduate with a Master’s degree in Counselling.
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CLIENT FOCUS:
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LGBTQ2S+ community
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Adolescents 15+
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Adults
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Couples
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RECENT EDUCATION:
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HRT Readiness Assessment - August 2024
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Surgical Readiness Assessments - August 2024
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Grief Counselling and Treatment Certification Training: Assessments and Interventions to Support Healthy Grieving and Adaptation to Death and Loss - October 2024
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Why People Work With Me
People work with me because I provide a patient, empathetic landing spot for you to either begin or continue your journey: a safe space where you will be accepted emphatically and genuinely as we walk together towards a feeling of relief and the change you are looking for. Regardless of your story, I am ready to hear what you have to say. I contribute gentle and honest encouragement as you search for the control that’s missing from your life. I love mutual feedback and will encourage you to comment on how the therapeutic relationship and techniques being used are working for you. While I am fresh into this profession, I am an eager learner and will continuously strive to increase my knowledge-base so I can meet your needs and support you to get unstuck.
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