Tamara Smith, RCC

Hi there, my name is Tamara, and I offer online counseling and walk and talk therapy services in Kelowna, BC. I am a strengths-based, person-centered and trauma informed counsellor who provides support to youth, young adults, individuals, parents and seniors who are seeking emotional support in dealing with various life challenges.

Counselling Specialties

• Trauma & EMDR
• Life Transitions
• Addiction
• Healthcare Professionals
• Athletes
• Anxiety/Stress/Depression
• Walk & Talk Therapy
• Brene Brown work

Shenaya Matvieshen, RCC

Shenaya is passionate about creating space where people feel seen, accepted, and safe to explore the depths of their experiences. She approaches counselling from a holistic view, recognizing that the mind, body, and spirit all play an important role in wellbeing.

Counselling Specialties

• Women’s Issues
• Depression & Anxiety
• Chronic Illness
• Pregnancy and Postpartum
• Self-esteem & Identity
• Grief & Trauma

Hi, I’m Tamara,

Hi there, my name is Tamara, and I offer online counseling and walk and talk therapy services in Kelowna, BC. I am a strengths-based, person-centered and trauma informed counsellor who provides support to youth, young adults, individuals, parents and seniors who are seeking emotional support in dealing with various life challenges.

In my role as counsellor for over a decade, in private practice, as well as at a non-profit agency for several years, I have gained experience working with individuals from all walks of life: from the street entrenched homeless population to the upper-class margins of society. I have heard stories of all kinds and have held space for both the horrific and heroic aspects of peoples’ experiences. With this generalist approach I work across a wide variety of issues with specialized training in the areas of anxiety, depression, complex trauma/ptsd, substance use, self-esteem, vulnerability, shame, self-compassion, personal/spiritual growth, and grief and loss.

I believe in the healing power of storytelling and the resiliency of the human spirit. I believe in the strength, courage, and natural gifting in each one of us, and I’ve seen the fruit that comes, when walking alongside individuals who are ready and willing to grow. My great joy in my work is to see clients overcome whatever hardships they face, to once again live purposeful, joy-filled lives, while still honoring their past. Due to my personal life experiences I have a special interest in working with teen girls, leaders (of all kinds), practicing and retired athletes, university students, health care professionals, mothers, entrepreneurs, and individuals struggling with issues related to identity, spirituality or life transitions, but I am happy to welcome a wide range of cases.

I work from an integrative perspective and rely on a variety of clinical techniques, including Internal Family Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Expressive Play Therapy, compassion and mindfulness practices, and EMDR. I am also a Certified Daring Way Facilitator™ and thrive on incorporating Brené Brown’s work on courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy into the work I do with people. I believe the principles found in Brené’s Daring Greatly™ and Rising Strong™ curriculum can literally change the world: recognizing the commonalities in shared struggles and connecting individuals to themselves and to one another.