Registered Clinical Counsellor

Special Interests

Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues, Grief and loss, Life transitions, Trauma

Education

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology with minor in Counselling, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Master of Counselling Psychology (MCP), Adler University

Certificates and Special Training

• Comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) training
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1

About Shahan

I have always had a passion for science and psychology, but I found my path in counselling following some personal challenges.Early on in my career, I experienced the loss of a close family member. At the time, I struggled to find the resources I needed to help support my grieving, and quickly realized how important it is to support others mental well-being in their time of need. I have experience working with a wide range of people: those in crisis, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and working with youth in the school system. Facilitating your growth in a way that is supportive, empathic, and tailored to your specific needs is something that I am very passionate about and committed to in my work.

Counselling is about you, your experiences, and your process. I aspire to create a safe space, free of judgments, for you to explore your inner world through a trauma-informed lens. I believe we all are the experts of our own lives, and sometimes through challenging aspects of life, we require support to help us heal. I hope to work with mutual respect and collaboration to help you achieve your goals at your pace.

When and why did Shahan join Alongside You?

I joined Alongside You in 2021 as a practicum intern. I am a Surrey resident and enjoy working near my home community!

What does Shahan consider to be the most important value?

If I had to select one key value, it would be determination. That said, I have been striving to improve on three fundamental values that I believe in: hard-work, acceptance, and kindness. Many times, throughout my life, I have had challenges that I have fought to overcome and evolve from and returning to these values has always given me hope, self-love, and motivation to keep going.

What would Shahan be doing if she did not pursue the career path she has right now?

If I did not pursue the career path in counselling psychology, I would have chosen nursing as my career, as I have always felt drawn towards the helping professions. I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude and purpose when giving back to my community and being involved in providing care. Nursing would have been a career choice that could help me to achieve this. Alternatively, I find joy in decorating spaces, redesigning, and visual arts, so a part of me could have attempted interior designing as well.

How does Shahan relax when she is outside of work?

I absolutely love spending time with my family, my dog, and friends. I enjoy taking walks in nature, exploring new places and capturing moments with a camera. I am also a person who appreciates some quality alone time, and for that, I often love driving and listening to music.