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Associate CounsellorVictoria Mercedes Rose Younker, RTC

About

** I am currently accepting new clients (online only) for individual counselling.

I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC #2923) and a member of the Association of Counselling Cooperative Therapists of Canada (ACCT). I have been a practicing counsellor since 2021, and have been exploring other healing disciplines (yoga, nutrition, herbalism, and coaching) for the past decade. I see clients online for individual counselling sessions.

Some of my areas of focus are (and not limited to):

Mental health & emotional wellness: anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief & loss, emotional regulation, chronic stress

Relationship to self: self-worth, self-esteem, self-discovery, boundaries, confidence, values

Relationship to others: healthy communication, healthy conflict resolution, co-dependency, attachment wounding, people-pleasing

Mind/body awareness & physical health: chronic pain, burnout

My Personal Story

My journey with mental health began when I was 9-years old when my parents separated and my Mom and I had to leave my hometown. Throughout my childhood my parents struggled with addiction and by age 12 I ended up in the foster care system. I am an only child, so, without a stable home life I spent a lot of time alone learning to navigate life by myself. This was a lot to carry at that young of an age, and I ended up self-medicating with substances shortly after I entered the foster care system.

Throughout my teens, I was bullied at school and battled with insecurity, anxiety, and depression. I found myself seeking external validation to feel good about myself, which never left me feeling fulfilled. By the time I was 19, I had lived in 15 different homes.

These traumatic childhood experiences shaped me in big ways, and I developed deep core wounds around my sense of self and self-worth.

When it all became too much to handle, I pleaded with the Principal of my high school to be transferred to an alternative school where I could get the support I needed.

It was there that everything changed for me. I found teachers and support workers who helped me see that I was worthy of succeeding. They loved, cared for, and saw the best in me by reflecting back to me my talents and strengths. In receiving this love and care, I found the courage and motivation to work as hard as I could to graduate high school on time. After that, I received 5 scholarships and bursaries which gave me the opportunity to attend post-secondary school. This was the start of a journey that changed the course of my life.

I became passionately committed to my own healing and growth, and I consistently invested in myself to ensure I was the healthiest, happiest, and best version of myself possible. This passion led me to study a number of things: two styles of yoga teaching, nutrition, herbalism, coaching and counselling.

To this day I feel incredibly grateful for the people who crossed my path and helped me believe that I was capable of healing and succeeding. This is what feeds my passion and purpose to help others realize they are capable of doing the same.

Counselling Philosophy / Therapeutic Approach

I work with each client based on their unique set of needs. Some of the modalities I may utilize in our sessions together are:

  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF)
  • Movement/ Mindfulness/ Meditation
  • Nervous System Regulation and Education
  • Somatic Awareness

My approach is trauma-informed, client-centred, and I strive to be inclusive of all ethnicities, abilities, genders, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. My goal is to help you feel confident and empowered by supporting you to find understanding in your own unique experience.

Sometimes we need to take action and sometimes we just need another to deeply listen and hear us. As a therapist, I consider myself not only an educator and guide, but also a fellow human being that is here to support you exactly where you are at.

I believe there is more to therapy than what meets the eye. A counsellor’s training, education and skill set are essential. And, some of the most transformational change comes from the impact of the therapeutic relationship itself. Having a space where we can bring all of ourselves (even the parts we think are ugly and shameful), and feel accepted, loved, and cared for is where healing happens.

It is my honour and privilege to hold my clients through their agony and ecstasy, grief and love, fear and excitement. We are multi-faceted beings with unique and individual needs and I value this uniqueness in the space I hold for each and every person.

It is my commitment to you to always view you through a lens of compassion, non-judgement, deep care and unconditional positive regard. From this place, I seek to encourage you to see and embrace the potential that already resides within you.

Clients Words of Love

“I would recommend Victoria as she is fantastic at creating a warm, safe, and inviting environment where you feel comfortable to fully express yourself and share your thoughts and feelings without any fear. She has helped me see the value in being present, less in my head, listening to my body and how I can do all of that. Victoria knows when and how to challenge you, as well as when you just want to be validated or to vent. She is also excellent at providing unique and thought-provoking insights.

Working together has benefitted me beyond any words of gratitude I can express. The work we have done together and our therapeutic relationship has helped me through the toughest moments of my life so far, taught me new skills, provided fresh perspectives, and helped me grow all while making sure I could still be true to myself.” – F

Education & Professional Memberships

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC #2923) – with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (2022)

Life Coaching and Registered Professional Counselling – 2 year intensive program, Rhodes Wellness College, Vancouver, BC (2020-2022)

Somatic Attachment Therapy Course, The Embody Lab (2022)

Life Coach Certificate (2020)

Availability

I am currently available for online sessions via zoom on Wednesdays from 11am – 2pm and 3pm to 6pm.

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.