Counselling Interns
Our student interns are completing master’s level courses in counselling programs and are on their journey to become registered clinical counsellors. Our interns are under supervision and engage in consultation.
Interns learn evidence-based treatment methods and industry standard interventions and counselling modalities. They work alongside our experienced clinicians. Interns charge at a discounted rate
**Currently, most interns are only conducting virtual appointments at this time**
Our virtual team includes certified and/or registered counsellors and coaches who primarily conduct virtual appointments.
Laurelle Inouye
ADHD/Executive Functioning Coach
Laurelle Inouye
ADHD/Executive Functioning Coach
Laurelle Inouye is a graduate of the UBC Organizational Coaching Program and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) focusing on Executive Function and ADHD Coaching. Laurelle worked for 17 years in a local post secondary institution providing undergraduate academic advising and career development support. In addition to her professional role supporting leaders and teams within the healthcare industry, Laurelle is passionate about helping individuals with learning challenges and those with ADHD. As an ADHD Coach with Mindkey Health, Laurelle provides academic coaching/learning strategies for youth as well as support for parents and caregivers of those with ADHD. She uses a collaborative, client-centred approach and uses practical strategies in her work including strengths-based learning, role-play, goal setting, organization and proven time management techniques. Please connect with Laurelle for a complimentary 30 minute session to explore if coaching is a fit for you.
Want to try an ADHD coaching session? Clients can book online here
Chelsea Peddle
Counselling Intern
Chelsea Peddle
Counselling Intern
Ages or Specific groups of clients: children, youth, and adults
Group, Family, couple, or individuals: Individuals
Tara Poole
Counselling Intern, BEd, MA, PhD (in progress)
Tara Poole
Counselling Intern, BEd, MA, PhD (in progress)
Tara holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree from the University of Victoria. She is completing her doctoral studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Victoria. Tara is currently pursuing a counselling internship to further develop her skills and gain practical experience in the field of counselling.
Tara has developed a keen interest in helping people overcome their mental health challenges. During her academic years, she took several courses that equipped her with a strong foundation in counselling theories, techniques, and ethics. Her passion for counselling and desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives led her to pursue a career in clinical counselling.
Tara is an Inclusive Learning Teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, where she works with students from diverse backgrounds who have mental health, behavioural, social, and academic difficulties. She has worked with individuals with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and poor interpersonal skills. Through an integrated approach to wellness, she has helped them to build social and emotional skills, resiliency, choice, autonomy, and improve their quality of life.
As an intern, Tara is excited to apply her theoretical knowledge and practical experience to work with clients under the supervision of experienced professionals. She takes an integrated approach to therapy, drawing on person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness and acceptance-based, and behavioural modalities that emphasize strength, agency, growth, connection, and resiliency. She believes that through a positive therapeutic relationship, clients can discover their inherent capacity for growth, healing, positive change, and agency.
Tara’s ultimate goal is to become a licensed professional counsellor and help individuals navigate the complexities of life while achieving their goals and finding a sense of fulfillment. She believes that this internship will be an essential step towards achieving her professional aspirations, and she is eager to embark on this journey of personal and professional growth.
Ages or Specific groups of clients: children, youth, and adults
Group, family, couples, or individuals: all
Specializations: ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, disorganized attachment, self-regulation skills, learning disabilities, substance use
Claudia Donald
Counselling Intern, MA (in progress)
Claudia Donald
Counselling Intern, MA (in progress)
Claudia is a calm, compassionate, and hard-working individual who is passionate about mental health. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria and is currently completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. Claudia has been working with youth for the past 15 years as a support worker, out of school care leader, summer camp leader, and preschool teacher. Over the past 7 years, she has been working as a high school teacher teaching French immersion, Spanish, and Psychology as well as coaching the school’s girls volleyball team. Her experience has led her to advocate for those who cannot or do not have access to affordable mental health care. In addition to working with youth, Claudia’s areas of interest are anxiety, (step) parenting, separation/divorce, motherhood, relationships, and life transitions. Her approach brings together elements of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person-Centered Therapy. She meets her clients where they are in their journey and strives to tailor the sessions to her client’s needs.
In her spare time you can find her playing volleyball, taking hikes with her dog, painting, or indulging in some Netflix-watching with her family. She is also fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Mayuko Helwer
Counselling Intern, MA (in progress)
Mayuko Helwer
Counselling Intern, MA (in progress)
Mayu is currently completing her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Her background includes 12 years of a psychiatric nursing/case management career, and has worked with individuals with moderate and severe mental health challenges in the hospital and community setting.
Becoming a parent inspired her special interest in supporting children, youths, and families with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and ADHD. She provides her clients opportunities to explore solutions to their presenting issues and live a meaningful life.
Her therapeutic approach is integrative and ultimately tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. She incorporates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Creating a warm, collaborative, and non-judgemental safe space in therapy, Mayu empowers her clients to build insight, skills and positive growth.
Michael Oakes
Counsellor, MA, RCC
Michael Oakes
Counsellor, MA, RCC
Michael received his Master of Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University. He is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
Michael has worked with youth and adults in a number of roles within the field of mental health. In his role at Dr. Jillian Roberts Psychology Corporation, Michael provides clinical counselling to address a variety of issues from evidence-based, and insight-oriented approaches. He has worked in residential and outpatient mental health settings across British Columbia and continues to provide collaborative care, teamed with psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, health consultants, nurses, social workers, and counselor/clinicians at the health authority.
Michael views the therapeutic relationship as a mutual and collaborative alliance based on safety, trust, congruence, unconditional positive regard, and ongoing rapport. He is experienced in several therapeutic orientations including Solution-Focused, Client-Centred, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioural, Attachment-based, Humanistic and Psychodynamic based modalities. Michael believes that people, like all living things, are inherently driven to thrive and grow, and when given the right conditions, people are capable of making meaningful changes.
Alex Roberts
Counsellor, MA, CCC, RCC
Alex Roberts
Counsellor, MA, CCC, RCC
Alex has a Master’s in Counselling Psychology through The University of Victoria. She enjoys a collaborative approach to counselling, in which clients can explore and develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating in a supportive and empowering therapeutic relationship. Specializing in clients who identify as LGBTQ+ or are exploring new gender and sexual identities, she is available for in-person sessions as well as telephone and video sessions.
When not working, she can usually be found enjoying leisurely nature walks, reading fantasy novels, or playing video games.
Types of therapy offered: A blend of solution-focused, experiential, narrative, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Ages or Specific groups of clients: Adult clients, particularly those who are LGBTQ+ or are exploring gender and sexual orientation.
Group, Family, couple or individuals: Individuals
Specializations: Anxiety, stress management, identity challenges, major life transitions, interpersonal challenges