Rolynda Simpson
Founder
Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)
Here's what I believe.
I believe that everyone has a desire to live as their best self, yet life often interrupts this. Childhood, life events, and challenges happen and then affect us in ways that lead to self abandonment, inauthenticity, and a lack of trust in ourselves. We become reactive, hardened yet easily hurt, want closeness and feel threatened by it, and we don't really know why we experience it all. Often we look outside of ourselves for the answers as we seek peace and clarity. The ways we see the world around us and the people in it become patterns that hold us back from enjoying all that life has to offer.
A big life event, a painful relationship, a past experience; sometimes we get stuck in stories and feelings that prevent us from processing, integrating, and moving forward. In my experience, people change when they connect to the right resources, engage in a supportive, therapeutic relationship and can reconnect to their inner guide, intuition, and authentic self. Together we will explore what may be holding you back and identify steps you can take towards transformation. It is possible to change the beliefs, stories, and repeating patterns and understand the ways of your nervous system, so you can ultimately feel at home within yourself.
Why I Care.
I have been where you are.
My journey into the world of counselling began many years ago when I decided to find a counsellor to get clarity and support with the stories, patterns, and feelings that were keeping me stuck. I had a gut feeling that I could not continue to live life the way I was living. I needed to create change by addressing pieces of the past that were affecting me at every level: cognitively, physically, spiritually, and behaviourally. Honestly, I knew if I didn’t address the past, I would lose my future, so I embarked on a journey to free myself from suffering that was shackled to me as a child and compounded through adulthood. This journey led to an awakening. It was not sudden. It was not a starry night of transformation. The awakening was slow and it required commitment, courage, vulnerability, and patience. Naturally, I am still on this journey of arriving home to myself.
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My decision in 2011 to complete a Master degree was fuelled by my childhood, life, and career, as well as a deep drive to help others. I didn’t know where the path was leading. I just knew I had to do it! In 2014, I opened my private practice and began seeing clients while teaching full time. Today, I have 23 years of experience from teaching, learning, and time spent with clients; a collection of skills, insights, training, and information. It has been honed over the years and I transformed it into MindAware 360* as an approach for clients to get unstuck, create positive change and experience peace of mind.
My Education & Credentials.
It all began in grade 10, when we started exploring our interests and different careers. Instantly, I knew I was a “helper” and decided right then and there, that I was going to be a teacher. After living in Germany for a year after high school, I started a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Bachelor of Education. Time working in the public school system provided me with a variety of experiences, insight, and knowledge about difficulties that come up for kids, teens, adults, parents, and families.
Pursuing a Master of Education in Counselling was a journey – professionally and personally. Although I was not aware at the time, the decision to complete this degree was absolutely pivotal in my life (I like to call these, “TSN turning points”). I graduated in 2014 and while teaching full-time, built my private practice seeing clients in the evenings, taking more counselling courses and developing skills. By fall of 2020 rolled around, I felt a big pull to make a change. I left the public school system to explore the opportunities a private practice could offer… and I have not looked back since. I have arrived to the place I am meant to be.
My approach is relational, intuitive, and integrative, which means we work together using approaches and strategies that are best suited to you and the change you want to create. You can expect me to show up as warm, compassionate, non-judgemental, and as my authentic Self. I aim to be a supportive guide and witness in a trusted space and to provide clear, concrete information and tools for you to use (or not). The goal is for you to make sense of yourself and feel content being in your own skin. You can also expect humour and some good hearty laughs! I also am not a bullshitter. So if you're looking for someone to tell you what you want to hear, I suggest you move on to someone else!
 
Our brains and bodies do not function separately, so I work with a variety of therapies that align all parts of you: brain, nervous system, body, and soul. One might call it a holistic approach.
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Polyvagal Theory
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Inner Focussing and the Felt Sense
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Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
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Somatic Attachment Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) 
Professional development is a priority for me. And I also have ADHD. So it might be no surprise to learn that I have a very dynamic brain that is full of intentions, passions, big, shiny ideas and half done courses. I am currently enrolled in multiple courses, who knows when I will finish them, and have to manage a brain that always wants to start new things! I am a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider and facilitate ADHD workshops. If you want to get on the list, fill out the LET'S TALK form at the bottom of this page.
I am here for you.  Together we can uncover what is keeping you stuck and create new pathways to change how you think, feel, act, and connect with yourself and others. You can build your capacity to stay present in the face of discomfort, let go of stories, understand sensations in your body, and make friends with your nervous system. This work will have ripple effects in your life, in your relationships, and in your connection with Self. Connected. Authentic. Empowered.
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Your success in therapy is based on your willingness to show up, expect positive results, practice using tools, integrate the learning, and be curious about what you might learn. And to practice patience - that one is essential. Here is what I can tell you for certain; your authentic self is waiting for you.
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Recent Education
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The ongoing course called LIFE *Current
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Intro to Polyvagal-Informed Focusing & Felt Sensing - Jan Winhall
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Complex Trauma Certification Training Level 1 & 2 - Janina Fisher *Current
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Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification Training: Body-Based, Polyvagal & Neurobiological Techniques for Mind-Body Healing *Current
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The Polyvagal Certificate Course: Safety, Connection, and the Human Experience
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Professional Training - Lane Pedersen
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Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk
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Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Intensive Training Course: Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan
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Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate - Maureen Gallagher
EDUCATION and LEARNING FROM 2015 - 2020​:
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Breaking the Anxiety Cycle at School and at Home - Lynn Lyons
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Learning from the Raven - Dr. Martin Brokenleg
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Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction - Dr. Saki Santorelli and Florence Meleo-Meyer
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Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors - Lisa Ferentz
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Advanced Training for Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model -  Dr. Ross Greene (a fave of mine)
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San'Yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training - Provincial Health Authority BC
Why People Work With Me?
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Because I am all heart. Just kidding! I am much more than that! I am brains, heart, guts, reflection, authenticity - a guide and healer. It takes all of these to sit with clients, hear their stories and patterns, and know how to approach their unique struggle, so they can get to the place where they feel empowered to live life the way they want. I walk alongside clients as they uncover patterns, re-discover their true Self, their inner resources, who they are and who they want to be. I guide them as they grab courage and work through the parts of their lives that are getting in the way, so they can find home within themselves and know the ways to find home if they feel lost again.
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People work with me because I teach; I use visuals, drawings, and handouts since everyone learns differently, and I know how important it is to understand something before you try to implement it. People also work with me because I am down-to-earth, authentic, and a real person. Our work together will not feel stuffy or clinical. I am a lifelong learner. Don’t worry! My desire to learn doesn’t mean I am boring and dry. I enjoy learning new things, challenging myself, and using a reflective process. You can expect a warm smile, humour, and some good hearty laughs. Most of all, people work with me because I truly want my clients to feel connected to themselves and able to breathe, with ease. I was able to do this for myself and you can, too.
​ADHD WORKSHOPS:
Twice a year, I offer workshops for parents of kids with ADHD and for individuals with ADHD. If you want to work with me, this is a good opportunity. Head to the Resource Vault and sign up to get notified about upcoming workshops.​