Blue Heron Counselling
A designation of BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Shelley Botterill, RCC
​Nanaimo BC
Blue Heron Counselling
A Letter to New Clients
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Welcome to Blue Heron Counselling.
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We are pleased to share we do not have a wait list
If you are struggling in life, overwhelmed, stuck, or interested in personal growth and increased self- awareness we can help.
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We are Registered Clinical Counsellors committed to supporting people in our community to live happier and healthier lives
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Nanaimo is our home. We are grateful for the land that takes care of us and acknowledge we live, work, and play on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations.
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(to read more click on the arrows on the side of the screen)
About Us
Cole Schafer
Currently available Week day and Evenings
I was drawn to the helping profession from an early age. People and the mind fascinat me.
I offer are talk-based and somatic based therapies, the Hakomi of self study, mindful practices, and walking alongside in nature.
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(for those interested in nature based therapy, common meeting places include Morrell Nature Sanctuary, Colliery Dam, or Maffeo Sutton)
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​I work well with people who are interested in learning about themselves; aware of the mind/body connection; find medicine in nature; and are interested in learning how to find ways to live joyful, conscious, and connected lives.
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More recently I have been drawn to brining in creative elements into our sessions, such as writing, music, and artistic expression.
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I offer a heart center approach, trusting the wisdom of the body. As we learn how to listen we will hear what we need.
Summer availability Tuesday to Friday day, and Thursday evenings
Shelley Botterill
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I have a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from the Alberta College of Art and Design, and a Bachelor’s of Education Degree from the University of Lethbridge. I have extensive experience and training working with people who struggle with problematic substance use, addictive behaviours, anxiety, grief, traumatic loss and family issues.
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I have been in the helping field for over 20 years in diverse roles including youth outreach, community work and development, teaching, school counselling, addiction treatment and grief counselling. If you are seeking help for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, self-harm/destructive patterns, traumatic loss, problematic substance use or addictive behaviours I can help. My goal is to create a space based on trust and safety to fully understand what’s getting in the way of you being your best self and to collaborate with you in order to develop healthier ways of coping.
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I use a biological, psychological, social, spiritual approach which recognizes people in their holistic selves. I also use a trauma informed approach and combine what I have learned from personal experiences and my own healing in addition to following my own intuition and formal training.
Hakomi and Specilizations
Hakomi
Hakomi is a mindfulness based, body-centered form of assisted self study. I use this method both for healing and personal growth.
Grief and Loss
When a person goes through a loss they may require support to adjust to life without their loved one. When a person loses a loved one their life may be turned upside down and the role of the therapist is to companion the bereaved and not to analyze or alleviate the pain.
Walking Alongside in Nature
We hold a special place for family therapy in our hearts. Parents can be so incredibly hard on themselves.
Trauma
In helping people with trauma, pacing and gentleness are key to my approach. Imagine the trauma as an ocean, black, scary, who's depths are unknown. Instead of jumping into the deep it can often be more useful to start on the shore, maybe dipping a toe in.
​Couples Therapy
We love working with couples. As hurt, lost, and hopeless as we can be in our relationships we have seen people make changes they did not think was possible.
Addiction
Addiction can be behavioural (gambling, shopping, or sex) or it can be to a substance (drugs or alcoho)l. When we work with someone who is struggling with addiction we focus on getting to the underlying feelings which drive the behaviour as just stopping a behaviour or the use of substances is not enough.