Lupine Clinical Counselling Intern

BSW, RSW, Full-Spectrum Doula MSW (in-progress)

Jessica (she/her) has been working professionally as a social worker since 2016, after graduating with her BSW from Thompson Rivers University. Her diverse experience includes roles in anti-violence work, child and youth mental health, parole and community integration, working with individuals with diverse abilities, and in health care supporting seniors.

In 2020, after three years of rural social work practice in Northern BC, Jessica briefly returned to her hometown in Victoria to complete the Holistic Doula Certificate program at Pacific Rim College, with the goal of integrating social work and perinatal support through full-spectrum doula care to families in the North. She has since attended over 50 home and hospital births, supported over 70 families postpartum, and developed a trauma-informed, evidence-based childbirth education course that she has delivered to over 90 expecting parents.

In 2024, Jessica’s focus shifted to perinatal mental health, which prompted her to pursue her Perinatal Mental Health certification and her master’s degree in social work through Dalhousie University. Jessica has since relocated to the Kootenays and will be completing her 8-month field placement with Lupine Clinical Counselling to further develop her counselling skills. Jessica will be available to see clients navigating relationship, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges at a reduced student rate from September 2025 until April 2026.

Outside of her professional life, Jessica loves to spend time with her husband and her pets, growing flowers and veggies in the garden, reading books and exploring all of the local farmers and artists’ markets in the Kootenays!

Lupine Clinical Counselling Intern BSW, RSW, Full-Spectrum Doula MSW (in-progress) Jessica (sh... Read More

Vanessa is a Mastered trained Clinical Social Worker. Founder and Clinical Director of Lupine Clinical Counselling.

Clients may have various stressors, mood concerns, grief/loss, life transitions and inter-personal relationship struggles that they are seeking support for.

Vanessa also specializes in counselling individuals and their families during their journey with fertility, perinatal mental health and birth trauma.

Vanessa has worked with individuals and families in various mental health and family counselling programs for over 18 years. Her experience and passion for her specialization in her practice is drawn from 10 years working in a perinatal mental health programs as well as her own family’s journey through fertility, pregnancy and postpartum.

One’s fertility and perinatal experience can be marked with stress, anger, grief/loss, fears, anxiety, depression and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Vanessa draws on trust and confidentiality in her practice while she supports you through self-awareness, reflection, reframing and discovering new tools to assist with your relationships, communication (often with support system and professionals), self-care, and growth during your journey.

At times it will be suggested to engage a partner or other support person in your counselling as we are most often not alone during the times of our fertility or perinatal experiences. The health of our relationships and support networks are vital to our health and coping during these often-difficult times. Vanessa can also assist with connecting you with complementary health-care practitioners, support groups, reading material and financial aid as appropriate.

It is her hope that with this support you will feel more grounded, have increased skills to manage stressors and have a plan how to move into your next life phase thriving.

Vanessa’s theoretical orientation is towards a client-centred, psycho-educational, strength-based approach and her therapeutic approaches are trauma and attachment informed and draw from training in: Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mind-Based Techniques, The Gottman Method and Family Systems Theory in her work supporting clients.

Vanessa is a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Work therefore many employee benefit plans will reimburse for her services or they may be claimed on your annual income tax returns as a medical expense.

Sessions offered in-person or on-line (within the West Kootenays). Please email to inquire about booking an Initial Session.

Vanessa is a Mastered trained Clinical Social Worker. Founder and Clinical Director of Lupine Cli... Read More

Andrea’s path toward becoming a therapist began with a lifelong curiosity about healing and self-understanding. Growing up with a parent who lived with mental illness deeply shaped her early experiences and inspired her to explore how people relate to themselves and others. At seventeen, she left home and began travelling—searching for meaning, connection, and ways to build a healthier relationship with herself.

A formative time in India marked a turning point in Andrea’s journey. Immersed in new ways of seeing and being, she discovered a sense of wholeness she hadn’t realized was missing. This deep personal work allowed her to meet the parts of herself she once resisted and to experience the freedom that comes from self-compassion and integration. These experiences continue to guide the way Andrea holds space for others—with warmth, openness, and authenticity.

As a mother of three boys, Andrea’s healing journey has also been shaped by the realities of parenthood. Having personally navigated postpartum depression, she understands how parenting can surface deep emotions and old patterns. Supporting parents through these challenges is something she holds close to her heart, believing these moments can become gateways to growth and greater self-awareness.

In her work, Andrea creates a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can explore what feels stuck, make sense of their experiences, and move toward greater alignment with their true selves. Her therapeutic approach integrates CBT, DBT, somatic work, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), offering a holistic path toward healing and change.

Outside of her practice, Andrea finds grounding and joy in nature—gardening, camping, and swimming in lakes and the ocean. These moments remind her of the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with what is simple and real.

Andrea is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC and a member of the CPCA. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Counselling from Adler University and has extensive experience working with survivors of trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her goal is to support clients in navigating life’s challenges with care, curiosity, and compassion.

Areas of Specialty Navigating life transitions and periods of change

Stress, burnout, and anxiety management

CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program)–certified counselling

Anxiety and depression support

Healing from people-pleasing patterns and self-criticism

Pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, and parenting support

Grief and loss

Women’s empowerment, self-esteem, and boundary setting

Healing from difficult childhood experiences and trauma

Andrea’s path toward becoming a therapist began with a lifelong curiosity about healing and self-... Read More

Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who is Masters trained and is accepting new clients both in person and on-line through Lupine Clinical Counselling

She is currently completing a certificate in Perinatal Mental Health through CPMHT and is passionate in supporting individuals and their families during the Perinatal period of their life including reproductive health, prenatal/postpartum depression and anxiety, birth trauma, relationship challenges, parent-child relationships, and life transitions.

Joanna has trained in a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches including Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and numerous trainings practicing therapy from a trauma informed lens.

Joanna’s approach to counselling is rooted in empathy, compassion, acceptance, insight and empowerment. Through a holistic and client-centered approach Joanna will work with you to develop therapy focus and goals, to help build inner strength, create new self awareness, cultivate positive self-regard, and explore various thoughts and behaviours that may be limiting to one’s overall health and wellbeing. Joanna believes in the value of exploring all pieces of one’s story and collaboratively finding effective coping strategies and inner resilience to move through any of life’s challenges.

Joanna graduated in 2023 with a Master of Counselling having completed a 400 hour counselling internship with Elspiri Counselling and co-facilitated a Post-Partum Group with Vanessa Dowell. In addition to her therapy training Joanna has over 15 years working in the social services sector with adults, youth, children and families; most recently 10 years working at Nelson Community Services. Joanna was also previously a DONA certified doula and practiced as a Doula in the Kootenays.

Joanna raises her two young children alongside her partner on their homestead outside of Nelson. Joanna enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening, swimming, reading and getting outdoors as much as possible.

Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who is Masters trained and is accepting new clie... Read More