About Elizabeth
I welcome you to Elizabeth Larsen Counselling and Consulting. I am a counselling therapist with a private practice in New Hazelton, BC. It is an honor to offer this service on Gitxsan territory, at the foot of a majestic mountain and near the confluence of life giving rivers, grateful for the inspiration they provide. I will share with you some information about myself so that you can make a decision about whether you would like to connect with me for a consultation or to book a counselling appointment.
I moved from Alberta to BC in 1996, spending close to four years in the community of Atlin before moving to the Upper Skeena communities that include the Hazeltons. I have worked in front line residential and community roles to support children, youth and families challenged by trauma, addictions and the inevitable losses that life brings. I have provided mental health services in a high school setting. Most recently I have been, and continue to be working as a therapist with men in the Domestic Peace program at Northern Society for Domestic Peace
I believe strongly in the importance of honoring the experience and perspective of individuals and families as they develop and grow, shaping themselves through their perceptions and connections with those around them.
"When you are faithful to the risk and ambivalence of growth, you are engaging in your life."
— John O'Donohue
Approach to Therapy
"To come to ground is to begin the courageous conversation, to step into difficulty and by taking that first step, to find the support and foundation that has been beneath our feet all along."
— David Whyte
Living is not easy, and so often we are confronted by a sense of disconnection and uncertainty. I believe that therapy is like a guided discovery of what already exists within this vulnerability - the potential to create a rich and meaningful experience of life, no matter what has happened. I use trauma-informed, response-based principles to tap into this potential within a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship. The mindfulness-oriented approach central to my practice encourages attention to the present moment, in all aspects of experience; mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.
My practice includes the following interests/concerns; life transitions, men's health, healthy relationships, traumatic experience and recovery, strategies for reducing stress, understanding mental health concerns, awareness and regulation of emotion, parenting challenges, personal growth and resilience, self-care and compassion, cultural fluency, conflict facilitation and group process.
Education and Registration
I hold a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Athabasca. I am certified as a Canadian Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and registered as a Clinical Counsellor in the province of British Columbia.
Areas of Practice
There is a teaching that says that behind all the hardening and tightening and rigidity of the heart, there's always a fear. But if you touch the fear there is a soft spot. And if you touch that soft spot, you find the vast blue sky. — Pema Chodron
Fees and Funding
My session fee is $90 per hour for individual and $110 for couple therapy plus GST. For group process and consulting, fees are determined based on the specific needs of each situation. I am a service provider through a number of Employee Assistance programs, and through the First Nations Health Authority. I would be pleased to speak with you about costs and coverage at the time of referral.
Please note that I am not accepting new referrals at this time ( as of June 1, 2023). Thank you for visiting my website, and I wish you all the very best.
ELIZABETH LARSEN, BA Psyc, BSW, MC, RCC
3228 Bowser St. New Hazelton, BC V0J 2N0
778-202-1670
counselling@elizabethlarsen.net