MY STORY
Deanna is a Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC) and instructor in British Columbia. She completed the 3-year Somatic Experiencing training program focused on trauma resolution and integration. This work integrates mind, body, and underlying nervous system patterns. She also studied and worked with Dr. Gabor Maté, and completed a one-year course in Compassionate Inquiry.
Deanna uses both an embodied focus and the practice of Inquiry in her therapeutic work with clients, supporting them to uncover their own truths and answers by asking the right questions. She provides trauma-informed care by offering choice, collaboration, and empowering the client wherever possible, meeting them where they are rather than making assumptions about where they should be. Curiosity and compassion are two of the main tools that she uses in her therapy practice.
Over the last decade, Deanna’s primary focus has been to study and work with plant medicines and psychedelics with the intention of healing and personal or spiritual exploration. She has supported many aspects of plant medicine and psychedelic experiences for people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, both individually and in groups. Her work has included assessment, program design, preparation, retreat facilitation, group processing, integration support, and training healthcare providers in harm reduction and psychedelic-assisted therapy. She was introduced to this work through an indigenous context and is currently engaged in consulting, curriculum design, and teaching within a clinical context at Numinus. She also teaches for The Integration Circle and Psycedlelics Today. She has developed a deep appreciation for the courage it takes to seek support, whether we are suffering deeply or simply feel stuck.
Deanna integrates the following focuses into her work:
Emotions: Learning how to work and be with difficult and pleasant emotions.
The Body: Learning how to listen to our bodies and providing it what it needs. Staying connected through sensation awareness.
The Mind: Learning to work with and get space from our thoughts, especially our critical parts.
Spirit: Cultivating connection to something larger.