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Associate CounsellorLexxus Anderson, RTC

About

** I am currently accepting new clients (in-person and online) for individual counselling.

I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC #3119) and a member of the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). I offer counselling for individuals (adults, teenagers and children ages 6+) who are looking for support in the following areas:

  • Anxiety & Depression
  • Life transitions (including relationship change, relocation, changes in routine, school, work etc.)
  • Loss & grief
  • Chronic health challenges
  • Self worth/ self esteem issues
  • Neurodiversity (Neurodiverse humans and families who need support with neurodiverse children)
  • Relationship issues, including with family of origin 
  • Boundaries
  • Goal setting and accomplishment

Maybe you are exhausted from living in survival mode? You find yourself getting stuck in repetitive patterns, overanalyzing and ruminating about the past or future, not knowing how to get to a place of peace.

Perhaps you feel alone in your struggles, or it feels like anxiety has become your new norm?

Or, you can feel something is not right, and you are ready for change, but you can’t pinpoint exactly what the “problem” is?

I can offer you a safe space where you can explore your experience freely, and without judgement. I am passionate about helping you get to a place where you can feel good about your life. My intention is to have you feeling better than you did before, even if it’s 1% more.

About Me

I was only 13 when I first experienced feelings of intense anxiety which manifested as panic attacks and depression. I had struggled for many years with my self worth and never had a support system that felt safe to turn to. Issues within my family life translated to my personal life – I didn’t perform well in school, I was bullied at certain points, and lost close relationships. All of these experiences left me feeling so alone.

In my early 20s I finally decided to reach out to my first counsellor. The experience was scary and overwhelming; I would often judge myself for needing the support of a counsellor in the first place. Little did I know, making this choice would be exactly what I needed to finally feel some freedom from the struggles I had been coping with alone.

By allowing myself to be vulnerable, I invited healing into my life. As time passed I was able to have acceptance for the things I could not change, and also felt empowered around the things that were in my control. Constant and consistent self-work, curiosity and self-compassion then became lifetime gifts to myself.

When I graduated university, I could feel an internal resilience that I had been building for years and this feeling drew me towards a deep desire. I felt called to dedicate myself to becoming a figure of support for others, and counselling was my way to do that.

It was during my Counselling program that I discovered how many of my childhood experiences were still impacting me today. It was through continued counselling, and the learnings in school, that I found my self-worth, the value in my voice, and discovered that depression and anxiety are simply a part of my experience — and they do not consume my whole identity.

Of course, after so much healing, life still offered further challenges. After graduating from my counselling program, my body went through a traumatic and chronic health challenge that I still manage today. What I know now, is that by doing the work and showing up for myself over many years, I now have the framework to overcome challenges — even the really big ones that I could not anticipate.

Through my personal journey, I learned to become more comfortable with the uncomfortable parts of my life by finally slowing down, honouring my needs, and asking for help along the way. I’ve been through so much and I definitely know how it feels to struggle, and struggle hard. Life can be so difficult – and with the right support, I know it’s possible to emerge from difficult experiences with deeper self-awareness and rediscovered resilience.

Counselling Philosophy / Therapeutic Approach

I use a person-centred approach – meaning I will respect your process and the pace you want to take along the way. I believe therapy truly works when you are ready to explore the discomfort you are facing, and have a willingness to discover your deeper needs and how to meet them. I aim to hold my clients with unconditional positive regard while offering a skilled and evidencebased approach that will support lasting healing.

I deeply believe in, and also practice, from a framework that says mental health and physical health are interconnected and equally important in healing.  However, this looks unique to each person. We will explore how to support your body and mind, both in session and out of session, as you move through your day-to-day life.

My practice is also trauma-informed – meaning I use an approach that is empowering, strengths-based and reflective, while holding space for the physical, emotional and psychological effects of trauma.

Modalities of therapy I draw from include:

Attachment Theory: The unconscious templates for relationship we learn as children
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: An evidence-based therapy that manages how we think and behave
Person Centred Therapy: A non-authoritative approach that allows you to discover your own solutions
Play Therapy: An approach using play to treat emotional and behavioural challenges while allowing a child to express themselves in their own unique way
Gestalt Therapy: An approach centred around creating self awareness, freedom and self direction; and working in the present moment rather than the past
Mindfulness Practices: Breathing methods, guided imagery etc. that reduce stress in the body
Wellness Therapy: Treatments that help promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress and improve well-being

Specialized Niches

Neurodiversity:
My niche and passion is working with neurodiverse people ages 6+ (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) as well as the parents/carers of neurodiverse humans. Diagnoses under the umbrella of neurodiversity can include things like ADHD, Autism, dyslexia etc. However, going beyond diagnoses, I like to define neurodiversity in simple terms: It is anyone who thinks differently than the average, or neurotypical person. Sometimes this can manifest as an experience of feeling like you don’t fit and that society isn’t built to meet your needs; or that you’ve found that a lot of things have been created for people who are neurotypical and don’t work so well for you. 

I have a growing desire combined with curiosity to mould unique ways to make therapy feel effective and authentically helpful for each neurodiverse person, so that you can find your unique way in this world. As a neurodiverse person myself, I know how to offer an open and judgement-free space where you can show up as you are knowing I am safely holding space for all that you bring.

Adults:
I work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-worth and self-compassion, life transitions, grief or loss, relationship issues, boundaries, or loss of feeling of purpose. I will use a compassionate and non-judgemental approach and encourage you to explore your struggles with curiosity, self-responsibility, acknowledgement and empathy. I will also hold space and invite you to explore all your parts – including the challenging ones – in a way that emphasizes their strengths and purpose in your life.

Teens:
The teenage years are a uniquely challenging period in a person’s life. I enjoy supporting teenagers who are struggling with identity, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, family issues and life transitions. I like to hold space for the many emotions that come with growing up and will show up following your pace.

Children:
I enjoy working with children ages 6+ who are struggling with anxiety, depression, family issues, friendship issues or bullying, self-esteem and life transitions. I draw on play therapy, which can be very useful and includes elements like role play, using fidget items while talking, etc. Specifically with younger children, I strive to take away the sense of different levels of “therapist vs. child” and get to their level of comfort – whether that be by sitting on the ground together, taking off our shoes or sitting with some blankets.

Clients’ Words of Love:

“After finally acknowledging years of burnout and accepting a co-workers advice on seeking counselling I am so relieved I made that terrifying step — and feel so blessed to have found Lexxus and Breathing Space. Through warm, natural conversation she was able to follow and guide me out of the darkness, while also holding me accountable. She reminded me what is best in life and what was needed to establish a healthy balance.” – Past Client

Education & Professional Memberships

Simon Fraser University
BA Psychology. Graduated 2019

Rhodes Wellness College
Life Coaching and Registered Professional Counselling- 2 year intensive program, Vancouver, BC, 2019-2021

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC #3119)
With the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada

Member of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, 2023

Availability

I am available for in-person or online sessions on Mondays (3pm – 7:30pm), Tuesdays (2pm – 7:30pm), Wednesdays (3pm – 7:30pm) and Thursdays (4pm – 7:30pm).

Session Prices

Individual Counselling: $135 including GST for 60 minutes | $190 including GST for 90 minutes

Office Address

Unit G – 2802 St. John’s Street
Port Moody, BC
V3H 2C1

Accessibility

There is a flat, street-level entrance to the building. The entrance door does not have a button to automatically open the door. There is an all-genders washroom in the Centre.