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We Are Hiring Associate Counsellors! Apply by Oct 15, 2023

 

Shahaa Kakar & Nasreen Gulamhusein
Co-Owners of Breathing Space Counselling

Breathing Space Counselling is a thriving private counselling practice in Port Moody, BC. It was founded in 2016 by two Master Therapeutic Counsellors, Nasreen Gulamhusein & Shahaa Kakar. We offer in-person and online counselling for individuals and couples. We also offer support groups and workshops for the community.


We have built a trusted reputation in our community and due to overwhelming demand, we have expanded and brought on three Associate Counsellors over the last 18 months. We are now seeking 2 – 3 more Associate Counsellors to work alongside us in our private practice. This is a wonderful opportunity to be mentored by two established counsellors and join an inclusive and heart-centred work culture.

What We Are Looking For:

We welcome all applicants who have:

  • graduated from a counselling program and have completed your practicum requirements
  • have professional liability insurance
  • are in good standing with a counselling association, such as the ACCT, CPCA or BCACC
  • are willing to work with adult individuals and couples. (If you have not worked with couples before, but are open to being mentored in this area, please feel free to apply.)

This opportunity is primarily for Counsellors who are willing to work in-person in our beautiful office space in Port Moody, BC. We are open to hiring an online Counsellor if the fit is right.

The successful applicant is ideally available for 15 hours per week, including some evenings and/or weekends. The exact schedule will be negotiated with the successful candidate(s).

You Are Someone Who Will:

  • Be Transparent – be authentic, honest, and real… even when it’s difficult
  • Be Kind – speak and act with thoughtfulness and consideration
  • Be Human – drop perfection, allow for mistakes, fall down and get back up
  • Honour Your Commitments – say what you mean and do what you promise
  • Bring Your Magic – get creative, share your ideas, inspire and be inspired

You Have the Following:

  • A recognised counselling qualification (diploma or masters degree).
  • Completed all practicum requirements.
  • Are a current BC/Canadian Registered Counsellor in good standing (all designations will be considered, e.g. RTC, MTC, RCC, CCC, RSW, RPC, MPCC, etc.).
  • Hold current Professional Liability Insurance.
  • Have a Registered Supervisor and are receiving regular supervision at the time of applying.
  • Are committed to undertaking continuous professional development.
  • Uphold the highest professional, ethical and professional standards in your practice and consistently adhere to your counselling association’s code of ethics.
  • Are able to commit a minimum of 15 hours per week for clients to consistently book in with you. This could include a mix of daytime, evening and weekend hours (specific days and times are negotiable). Some evening and/or weekend availability is required as these are high demand times for clients.
  • An awareness of (or, a willingness to learn about) privilege and marginalization and how these might impact your lens/bias while you are counselling.
  • A willingness to engage in continual learning and dialogue towards creating a safe, inclusive and diverse culture within our practice (both with clients and with each other).

Bonus If You Also Have Any of These:

Knowledge, experience and/or training in working with:

  • couples (such as Gottman training, EFT, etc.).
  • teens and/or families.
  • somatic therapy modalities (such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, AEDP, relational somatic therapy, etc.).
    eating disorders, body image, addiction, trauma, maternal mental health (incl. PPD/PPA, infertility, pregnancy loss, etc), polyamorous/non-monogamous relationships, chronic pain, chronic illness.
  • specific communities, such as LGBTQIA+communities, racialized communities, neurodiverse communities, Indigenous communities, disabled & Deaf communities, etc. Lived experience will be considered an asset.

We Offer the Following:

  • Flexible and negotiable working hours.
  • A competitive Associate Counsellor package/fee split, with incentives to grow.
  • Targeted marketing and client recruitment on your behalf.
  • Ongoing support and mentoring, as needed.
  • Simple and easy to use online scheduling software.
  • Standard forms, filing system, and client receipting is provided.
  • A bright and inviting counselling centre in the heart of Port Moody, which includes three counselling offices, a multi-purpose main space/waiting room and kitchenette facilities (close to SkyTrain and street parking).
  • A work culture that values belly laughs, celebrating the little things, and getting through the tough moments together. 😉

To Apply – Please send the following to [email protected]:

  • An updated resume and cover letter detailing why you believe you would be a good fit for our team and what you have to offer. Please be specific about your experience with individuals and couples.
  • Two professional references (eg – from a Registered Supervisor, Counselling Teacher or Employer). Written references are preferred.

    The successful applicant will also be required to provide:

  • A copy of your active counselling registration from your relevant association.
  • A copy of your active Professional Insurance certificate/policy.


Deadline for applications is Sunday October 15th 2023 at 11:59pm.

We Are Hiring Again! Become an Associate Counsellor with Us!

By Shahaa Kakar & Nasreen Gulamhusein

Breathing Space Counselling is a thriving private counselling practice in Port Moody, BC. It was founded in 2016 by two Master Therapeutic Counsellors, Nasreen Gulamhusein & Shahaa Kakar. We offer in-person and online counselling for individuals and couples. We also offer community events and professional development training for fellow counsellors.

We have built a trusted reputation in our community and due to overwhelming demand, we have expanded and brought on two Associate Counsellors. We are now seeking a third Associate Counsellor to work alongside us in our private practice. This is a wonderful opportunity to be mentored by two established counsellors and join an inclusive and heart-centred work culture.

What We Are Looking For:

Whether you are newly graduated or an established counsellor, we welcome all applicants who work with individuals and couples. If you have not worked with couples before, but are open to being mentored in this area, please feel free to apply.

This opportunity is for an Office Associate who will work in our beautiful space in Port Moody. The successful applicant must be available for 15 hours per week. Those hours need to fall within the following days/times and must include some evening or weekend shifts):

Monday, 8am – 9pm
Wednesday, 8am – 9pm
Friday, 3pm – 9pm
Saturday, 8am – 9pm
Sunday, 8am – 9pm

The exact schedule will be negotiated with the successful candidate.


You Are Someone Who Will:

  • Be Transparent – be authentic, honest, and real… even when it’s difficult
  • Be Kind – speak and act with thoughtfulness and consideration
  • Be Human – drop perfection, allow for mistakes, fall down and get back up
  • Honour Your Commitments – say what you mean and do what you promise
  • Bring Your Magic – get creative, share your ideas, inspire and be inspired

You Have the Following:

  • A recognised counselling qualification (diploma or masters degree).
  • Are a current BC/Canadian Registered Counsellor in good standing (all designations will be considered, e.g. RTC, MTC, RCC, CCC, RSW, RPC-C, RPC, MPCC, MPCC-S, etc.).
  • Hold current Professional Liability Insurance.
  • Have a Registered Supervisor and are receiving regular supervision at the time of applying.
  • Are committed to undertaking continuous professional development.
  • Uphold the highest professional, ethical and professional standards in your practice and consistently adhere to your counselling association’s code of ethics.
  • Are able to commit a minimum of 15 hours per week for clients to consistently book in with you. This could include a mix of daytime, evening and weekend hours (specific days and times are negotiable). Some evening and/or weekend availability is required as these are high demand times for clients.
  • An awareness of (or, a willingness to learn about) privilege and marginalization and how these might impact your lens/bias while you are counselling.
  • A willingness to engage in continual learning and dialogue towards creating a safe, inclusive and diverse culture within our practice (both with clients and with each other).

Bonus If You Also Have Any of These:

Knowledge, experience and/or training in working with:

  • couples (such as Gottman training, EFT, etc.)
  • teens and/or families
  • somatic therapy modalities (such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, AEDP, relational somatic therapy, etc.)
  • eating disorders, body image, addiction, trauma, PPD/PPA, polyamorous/non-monogamous relationships, chronic pain, and bullying
  • specific communities, such as LGBTQIA+communities, racialized communities, neurodiverse communities, Indigenous communities, disabled & Deaf communities, etc. Lived experience will be considered an asset

We Offer the Following:

  • Flexible and negotiable working hours.
  • A competitive Associate Counsellor package/fee split, with incentives to grow.
  • Targeted marketing and client recruitment on your behalf.
  • Ongoing support and mentoring, as needed.
  • Simple and easy to use online scheduling software.
  • Standard forms, filing system, and client receipting is provided.
  • A bright and inviting counselling centre in the heart of Port Moody, which includes two counselling offices, a multi-purpose main space/waiting room and kitchenette facilities (close to SkyTrain and street parking).
  • A work culture that values belly laughs, celebrating the little things, getting through the tough moments together, and indulging in good food. 😉

To Apply – Please send the following to [email protected]:

  • An updated resume and cover letter detailing why you believe you would be a good fit for our team and what you have to offer. Please be specific about your experience with individuals and couples.
  • Two professional references (eg – from a Registered Supervisor, Counselling Teacher or Employer). Written references are preferred.

    The successful applicant will also be required to provide:

  • A copy of your active counselling registration from your relevant association.
  • A copy of your diploma/masters certificate.
    A copy of your active Professional Insurance certificate/policy.


Deadline for applications is Friday September 30th at 11:59pm.

How I Got Myself Into Hot Water as a Couples Counsellor

By Nasreen Gulamhusein

I remember the first time I found myself in a big ethical bind with a couple I had been seeing for a few months. 

I was sitting across from one of the partners who had just revealed a big secret to me. The problem? The other half of the couple was not in the room to hear it. So, now I knew a secret the other partner did not know. I could literally feel myself break into a sweat because this had happened 20 minutes into the session. I still had 40 minutes to go. 

I was relatively new to couples counselling at the time, and I knew the revelation of this secret had put me in an ethical bind. It was only after I sat with my supervisor and walked her through the details of the situation, that I realized how complicated the bind actually was. After I explained all of the steps I had taken, my supervisor helped me to understand the mistakes I made which could have helped me avoid this challenging situation. 

After three supervision sessions, I had a clear understanding of the steps I had to take to clean up my mistake and provide the couple with steps to move forward. I met with the couple twice more. I made apologies, they had anger and frustration (at me and each other) and we moved through it and forward. 

This couple took some amazingly brave steps despite this challenge and their relationship progressed and grew because of it. AND, it could have gone very differently for all of us had they decided differently. 

After this experience I realized the delicacy and complexity of working with a couple in crisis. What I wished is that someone had walked me through the 101’s of couples counselling — ethics, dynamics, challenges and more. 

So, that is what we are offering you! 

The Art of Couples Counselling workshop explores the emotional dynamic underlying all primary relationships. It will examine common issues and challenges the counsellor may encounter, and discusses methods of supporting the couple’s movement towards deeper emotional contact and commitment.

Please join us on Sunday, June 23rd from 10am to 3pm in East Vancouver for this workshop. 

There are 3 spots left — register today!

<< REGISTER NOW >>