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. My goal is to provide you with a safe space in which you will be
accepted emphatically and genuinely as we walk together towards a feeling of relief and
control.
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.
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 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.
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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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EDUCATION GOALS:
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HRT Readiness Assessment for Gender Affirming Care
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Certification in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
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Certification in Gottman Couples
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Why People Work With Me
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.
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