Billie Sankey
Registered Clinical Counsellor
RCC
Here's what I believe.
I believe that the strongest of all human needs is love and belonging. This need places relationships of all forms —including with oneself — at the core of everyone’s challenges. These challenges often arise when we focus our energy on fulfilling someone else's needs above our own and are unable to identify the areas in our lives we can control. Self-reflection is
the key to identifying the choices we make that are not benefiting us. A safe and honest therapeutic relationship will promote this reflection and model a healthy, engaging, and empathetic relationship.
Why I Care.
Every human deserves a space in which they can express themselves physically and emotionally in their most genuine fashion. Finding somewhere and someone who can provide them that can be intimidating, and I am incredibly honoured to hold that space for you.
Each of us are 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 and collaboratively work with you towards yours goals no matter how big or small. I work with a wide range of people from teens, young adults, adults, couples, and am very passionate about serving the LGBTQ2S+ community. Together we will 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 our five basic human needs: love and belonging, survival, power and control, freedom, and fun. In understanding the level of importance each of those needs holds for you, we will uncover the areas in your life that you are experiencing a lack of fulfillment. Additionally, we will focus on your goals—or your wants—and determine how they can be attained. Another key piece of my practice is focused on your individual identity, all of the many external factors that work against you in your day to day life, and what choices you can make each day to combat those things that are beyond your 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 between Kamloops and Kelowna 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, and many more. While attending classes and completing my practicum I worked as a youth support worker where I support young individuals in both full and part-time care who were experiencing various levels of mental health struggles.
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.
Client Focus:
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LGBTQ2S+ community
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Adolescents 15+
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Adults
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Couples
EDUCATION GOALS:
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HRT Readiness Assessment for Gender Affirming Care
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy training
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Internal Family Systems training
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Certification in Gottman Couples
Why People Work With Me
I provide a safe space in which you will be accepted emphatically and genuinely as we walk together towards a feeling of relief and control. I am nothing if not an enthusiastic, skilled listener. Regardless of your story, I am ready to hear what you have to say. People work with me because I provide a patient, empathetic landing spot for you to either begin or continue your journey. 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 the needs of clients.