Be seen, be heard, become your best self

Welcome

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with 8 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families in Nanaimo and surrounding areas. As a dedicated father and husband, I blend talk therapy and somatic approaches, such as Hakomi, to offer meaningful insights and practical solutions to life’s problems. I help people move through stuck patterns towards the life they want.

Your life is your responsibility and accepting help is brave step towards improvement. If you have been thinking about counselling you will probably benefit from it. You deserve the life you want. Book a session to move towards it.

Services

Some people come to therapy because of something specific or immediate. An event happened and they need help. If this is your situation, new perspectives and immediate, actionable steps can help you to move forward. Success builds on success. Having said that, my role is to help you make progress at the pace that allows you to be seen and understand yourself.

Other people come to therapy because they are stuck in old and unhelpful patterns. Often these are rooted in past experiences and have an avoidance quality. I help people find courage within themselves to confront their past and learn how to transform pain into growth This may involves insight and perspective or skill development. What's essential is being able to honestly look at ourselves with the support of another so that we can see then do something different. Instead of being defined by the past, we use it as a source of learning to move towards the best possible future for ourselves.

Hakomi

If you've outgrown traditional talk therapy, you may be ready for Hakomi —a mindfulness-based, body-centered method for assisted self-discovery. Hakomi is a depth model which is used for integrating unconscious (e.g., the shadow and child self) into consciousness. The model utilizes some of Eastern and Western’s greatest ideas, blending our understanding of the nervous system, memory processing, and spirituality. Through Hakomi, we’ll tune into your body's wisdom to integrate unconscious patterns, meet your soul's deepest needs, and foster wholeness.

While I enjoy supporting men and women, I have a particular interest in men’s issues through individual counselling and facilitating a men's group. Part of this comes from my observation that generally men have a hard time asking for support, and lack supports in their lives.

Many men I’ve supported share a lack of understanding around what healthy masculinity is. I offer encouragement, direction, and tools to embrace responsibility, seek adventure, and ask for help without shame.

Some specific issues I have helped men with includes: pornography and sex addiction, communication challenges, integrating emotions (e.g., anger, grief), relationship and career challenges (particularly infidelity) and finding one’s passion and purpose.

I also have a passion for supporting young men and children who are lacking healthy male role models.

Assertiveness Training

One of my specialties is assertiveness training, which teaches you to express your needs, opinions, and boundaries confidently and respectfully — striking a balance between passivity and aggression to communicate effectively without compromising your values. This is especially transformative for those who struggle with people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, or low self-esteem, including professionals facing burnout, individuals in imbalanced relationships, or men seeking to embody healthy masculinity. It helps by reducing built-up resentment and stress, boosting self-confidence, fostering clearer communication, and leading to stronger, more authentic connections in both personal and professional life.

Specialities and Areas of Interest

Relationship Problems

Common issues people come to see me include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Addiction

• Grief and loss

• Trauma (including first responders)

• Life planning

• ADHD

• Burn out & compassion fatigue

• General life problems (e.g., career)

• Self-discovery and personal growth.

• I support neurodivergent people of all ages

Relationship problems with couples and families are some of the most common situations I encounter. Many people want help with communicating. Improvements can be achieved by learning to speak truthfully while at the same time listening effectively.

Most people lack a structure that helps them discuss and resolve problems. I provide this structure.

For parents, I have found that positive change most often results from helping parents to become their best selves. This often includes boundary setting and emotional regulation.

I also offered parenting coaching, focussing on boundary setting, emotional regulation, find your child's interests and gifts so they can mature into taking care of themselves.

Men's Issues

Getting in Touch

Fees

• 50 minute individual $165

• 50 minute couple or family session $180

• 80 minutes couple or family sessions $270

As a registered clinical counsellor, most people's extended health benefits will cover my fee. Please check with your specific provider.

I am registered with the following third-parties for direct billing:

• First nations health authority (FNHA)

• Criminal victims assistance program (CVAP)

• ICBC (no direct billing but you can pay upfront and be reimbursed)

• Greenshield

• Pacific Blue Cross

• any insurance through telehealth (check your provider, though common ones include: Sunlight, Canada, life, Manually, Alberta, Blue Cross, Beneva, Desjardins, and Johnston Group).

I offer in person and virtual clinical counselling, life and relationship coaching, and Hakomi to individuals, couples, and families.

I work with all ages.

Please email:

coleschafer@coleschaferclinicalcounsellor.com

or call

(250) 616 2254

for a free 20 minute consultation.

RCC Membership Number: 14976

Connect

Email

Call

coleschafer@coleschaferclinicalcounsellor.com

(250) 616 - 2254

© 2025. All rights reserved.