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RUMI

LET
THE BEAUTY  
WE LOVE
BE WHAT
WE DO.

ABOUT ME

BFA, MACP, RCC-ACS

JULIE THOMASON
 

WHAT LED ME TO THIS WORK? 

I was inspired by this quote when I started my education at the University of the Fraser Valley, intending to do what I loved, which at that time was painting and visual arts. I went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
​​
After that, I achieved my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University
in 2017 while working as a self-employed, commercial and residential painter, during that time, which allowed me to listen to audio lectures during my workday, which I also loved.

I have always been deeply curious about people and the world around me and this led me towards becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
 
In this work, I found a place where I could use my strengths and my deep respect for evidence-based science to help others. I also enjoy this work because I get to learn every day and I get to engage in creative solutions, sometimes with 
a little bit of humor, to collaborate with people to build a personalized plans to help support and empower them. 

And, I have to tell you, I love what I do!

I also enjoy supporting new and emerging therapists as they grow and develop so that they can fully be present  and support their clients. I am honoured to connect with and encourage the people I supervise to increase their competence with their clinical skills, manage their own personal issues, including family of origin, their mental health and relationship issues to understand how their personal life affects the way they show up at work with clients. And, to quote Gandhi, hopefully we can all be the change that we wish to see in the world.  

I know it can be hard to find a good therapist and that finding the right

fit is essential.

Reaching out for support or starting a healing journey requires courage and it is much easier with the support of an experienced therapist.

 

I offer kindness and empathy, while at the same time, I can gently encourage you to grow. Engaging in therapy can provide a safe space of possibility, where meaningful, insightful, nourishing and sometimes life-changing conversations can take place. 
 
When I am not working, I enjoy being creative, learning about the latest in psychology, sexual health, neuroscience, spirituality and functional approaches to health and wellness.​ 

ACADEMIC EDUCATION

I received a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2017 and a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Emily Carr University in 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  I am currently attending sex therapy training with the Sexual Health Alliance.​

COUNSELLING REGISTRATION

I received a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2017 and a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Emily Carr University in 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  

CLINICAL COUNSELLING TRAININGS

I continuously engage in ongoing research through conferences, podcasts and trainings. I have completed many conferences in couples therapy including an externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and have attended conferences with Dr. Susan Johnson and Dr. John and Julie Gottman. 

 

I have done extensive training in Domestic Abuse or Interpersonal Violence in relationships. I have facilitated couples workshops "Building Healthy Relationships". And, I have attended The Evolution of Psychotherapy in California, U.S.A. ​

COUNSELLING WORK EXPERIENCE

I work in private practice and have provided weekly supervision at the Chilliwack Youth Health Centre for the last five years. I have worked with clients at the Ministry of Child and Family Development and with women at Ann Davis Transition Society in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada.

​​THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

My approach as a therapist is to provide a warm, comfortable and safe space where I can support you in finding new ways of coping, overcoming challenges, becoming more aware of your strengths and improving your mental health and your relationships. 

I believe counselling can be like having a coffee

with a friend, except in counselling, the focus is on you. It can be a place to share your feelings, ask questions or get support around a life transition

or a relationship change. I believe that counselling sessions can include some laughter, some tears and some deeper work.​ 

 

My approach is integrative, strength-based and always trauma-informed. I include a consideration of attachment, family systems including a genogram. I will inquire about culture and the intersectionality of your identities.

 

I use a bio-psycho-social-spiritual and sexual health perspective and adapt it to the individual or couple I'm working with. I will only drawn from spiritual or philosophical concepts if requested.

 

I use a wide range of theoretical clinical approaches such as emotion-focused couples therapy, interventions from the Dr. John and Julie Gottman 

and sex therapy interventions.

 

I use cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, common factors, mindfulness and positive psychology.

 

For trauma, I integrate an array of approaches including the triphasic model which includes

stabilization, processing and integration. And also, lifespan integration, trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative exposure therapy, some somatic approaches and written exposure therapy, if requested.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Registered Clinical Counsellor (2017) Approved Clinical Supervisor since (2024) British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors 2017-2025

CERTIFICATES 

Certified Sex Therapy Program (in progress) Sexual Health Alliance Online 2022-2025

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION 

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology  Yorkville University, New Brunswick, Canada 2013-2017

Bachelor of Visual Arts General Fine Art Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada 2006-2008

Philosophy, Anthropology and Visual Arts University of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada 2003-2006

CLINICAL COUNSELLING AND SUPERVISORY WORK EXPERIENCE

Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor and Sex Therapist in Private Practice Chilliwack, British Columbia and Online  2018-​Current

​​Chilliwack Youth Health Centre Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor Chilliwack, British Columbia 2019-2024

​​Ann Davis Transition Society Stopping the Violence-Women’s Therapist-Individual and Groups Chilliwack, British Columbia​ 2017-2019   ​

EMOTION FOCUSED THERAPY 

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Externship         Vancouver Couple and Family Institute International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy Vancouver, B.C.                        July 6-9, 2015

Sex and the Bonds of Attachment: An EFT Approach George Faller LMFT Online April 16, 2025

The Johnson-Gottman Summit Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy + Gottman Couples Therapy, University of Washington, Seattle, U.S.A. July12-13, 2013

The Science and Art of Couple Therapy: Creating Secure Bonds Dr. Susan Johnson Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, B.C. Nov 7-8, 2013

Assess, Regulate, Activate, and Transform Emotions in Psychotherapy Dr. Leslie Greenberg and Dr. Serine Warwar Center for Psychology and Emotional Health Online December 6th and 7th, 2024

Working with Emotion in Depression and Anxiety  Dr. Leslie Greenberg  Center for Psychology and Emotional Health Online October 31st and November 1st, 2024

The Science Behind Relationships: Understanding Attachment, Maintenance, Infidelity and the Dissolution Sexual Health Alliance Online Conference                        September 16 and 17, 2023

NARRATIVE THERAPY

Advanced Narrative Therapy Training Conference Steven Madigan and the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy, Vancouver, B.C. Sept 17-20, 2015

Narrative Therapy Skills Training-3 Day Intensive Eterna Counselling and Steven Madigan Abbotsford, B.C. June 3-6, 2015

​ACCELERATED EXPERIENTIAL
DYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
 

AEDP: Getting to the Heart of Change  Dr. Richard Harrison     Vancouver, B.C.  September 26-27, 2019

INDIGENOUS & FIRST NATIONS
CULTURAL SAFETY 

Trauma-informed, healing-centered community wellness: Indigenized approaches to embodiment and contemplative practices with Dr. Jessica Barudin University of British Columbia Learning Circle Webinar April 17, 2024

Indigenous Cultural Safety Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia Online Training January 2020

​Aboriginal Awareness Training Robert Laboucane Chilliwack, B.C October 10-11, 2019

CULTURAL SAFETY AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL HEALTH

Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Sexual Health Sexual Health Alliance Online Weekend Conference March 15th and 16th, 2025

Sex around the World: Sexceptional Weekend  Dr. Justin Lehmiller Sexual Health Alliance Online Conference April 1-2, 2023

Fantasy and Desire Around the World  Dr. Justin Lehmiller  Sexual Health Alliance Online March 23 and 24, 2024

EMAIL AND TELEHEALTH THERAPY

Email Therapy Training-2 day workshop Dr. Drewlo Kelty’s Key - Vancouver General Hospital January 29, 2020 and February 13th, 2020

SOMATIC TRAINING

Bringing the Body into Practice - Workshop One Lisa Mortimore Online ​​​​​​​​2021

CONFERENCE 

The Evolution of Psychotherapy Anaheim, California, U.S.A.       December 13-17, 2017

CONNECT WITH ME

Based in the Pacific West Coast of Beautiful British Columbia, Canada ​​​​​

​OFFICE HOURS

ONLINE HOURS

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

I acknowledge, with humility and gratitude, that we are on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and S'ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) Nations.

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​OFFICE LOCATION

#210-45485B Knight Road. Chilliwack, British Columbia

Canada V2R3G3 

*Stairs are required to

access the office.​

Disability symbol, Invisible Disabilites
Pride, LGBTQIA+, Queer Inclusive Flag for Counselling Office

PHOTOS from PEXELS

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